A payout mechanism for spline used for attaching screen mesh to a frame uses a base member with a pair of upright standards, each standard having a downwardly extending channel. A spool with a length of spline wound thereabout has an axle passing through its hollow core with the axle being received within the channels. An end of the spline is grasped and whenever a pulling force is exerted on the spline, the spool rotates about the axle paying out additional spline. A brake mechanism located on one of the standards can be used to slow or even stop rotation of the spool while a post with a notch extending upwardly from the base can be used to frictionally hold an end of the spline between jobs.