: What are the tradeoffs to consider when selecting the material to use for the
: forms for a Great Auk? I will be cutting them out with a jigsaw only (I
: don't have ready access to a bandsaw and/or disk sander) and want to
: select the material that works well with a jigsaw but also has good
: staple-holding properties. Any recommendations for me?

: Thanks,
: Bret
The best material is white pine, easy to work, stable and will hold fastners well. Downside is cost and you'll have to assemble your moulds from board stock. In my area there are small mills where you can get air dried pine for prices comparable with 3/4 ply. I think there is less waste with solid wood, too. My woods is mostly maple, ash, birch and poplar. I mill my own, so I use poplar rather than pine. If you can get it at a reasonable a price poplar is a reasonable subtitute for pine and it takes paint better.