Bessler Drum missing one spline - replace with plywood or balsa?

[sully75]

Hi there,

I recently got a 2nd Bessler 11x14 drum for processing 5x7 and 4x5. It's missing 1 of the three removable splines. Last night I jammed a piece of 3x16 in balsa into the track. It seemed to fit pretty good, and I think jammed in with some glue would be semi permanent.

I've been thinking about doing that or possibly a piece of baltic birch plywood.

My questions are:
1) any chance that either of these will have an adverse affect on developing, either due to wood fibers or some chemicals in the plywood?

2) do you think these will work as well as the plastic splines? There won't be the groove that's in the splines. I could maybe carve a groove into the balsa but not sure how well it would work.

I'd take other suggestions about spline replacements. If someone reading this has a monster supply of Bessler splines, you can consider one of them sold!

Thanks
Paul

[Jim Noel]

Any wood is going to retain chemistry and most likely cause you problems with streaking, etc.

[Robert Ley]

I agree that wood would be a bad choice due to the pores nature.

I would think that Plexiglas or Lexan would work better. you should be able to get plexi in different thicknesses and it is fairly easy to work and will not absorb chemicals.