Spline Compound and Open Spline are two different types of splines that are used in structural engineering projects. Each type of spline has its own properties and its own special tricks and secrets that make it better suited for certain tasks.
Generally, a spline compound is easier to work with, and may not require as much maintenance. However, a spline compound does not do a very good job in protecting the underside of a product that may be covered by it. Likewise, some of the spline compound is not particularly hard, while others may have rough edges. Make sure that you read about the different properties of the various types of spline compounds and which one will work best for you.
The Open Spline uses standard tapered splines but with little pre-shaping. Therefore, they can be easily cut or even be glued onto a flat surface. Also, the spacing between each notch is adjustable. The problem with the Open Spline is that they can rub against a base that is drilled down into, if they are not cut properly, so check your Spline Toolbox to see what kind of spline compound you should use.
The Spline and Polygonal Compound has a series of fixedly-sized saw cuts, which can be easily made. In this case, you can put the compound on top of your machine stock without having to pre-drill it. Inthis case, you should use a thick non-porous composite tape that is not too rough.
The Rectangular Spline is useful for cleaning up rough surfaces after finishing a surface with a Polygonal Compound. However, the rectangles are not that easy to work with, and may take longer to clean.
The Bent Spline is more difficult to cut than the other splines. The reason for this is that the spline is often oval-shaped, with notches for the first layer of tapers.
The Thinner Spline may work well for a Beadboard Spline Cut because it has more flexible tapers. This is because they are designed for material that is thinner. However, if you are using a Beadboard Cut to create a sectional splash guard, then you will probably not need a Thinner Spline.
The Polygonal Compound is often used for splines that are sanded smooth. The material is also very flexible and allows more variation in the taper lengths. This is the reason for its popularity.
The Double-End Spline has notches on both the top and bottom surfaces of the spline, and therefore it can be cut with a saw without creating a rounding. This is often used when the wood to be splined is very smooth.
The Extended Spline has notches at both the top and bottom of the spline. These are referred to as top-bottom extensions and are the same as the edge extensions that are found on larger roll splines. This spline is very useful when cutting the shape out of a wide board, and this will come in handy when making a carport enclosure from a carport lid.
The Rounded Spline can help you when making a wide circular frame for a lattice rail, or a shelf. There are several different types of finishes, so you can choose the finish that looks best on your particular project. The most common finish is the lamination, which is applied with a laminate adhered to the underside of the sheet metal and then smoothed over.