I went down to the Home Depot to look at some foam panels for test cuts. I see a bunch of folks here that use this material. However, I found the panels to be more expensive than some of the cheap wood panels. Maybe I’m shopping at the wrong place, or simply looking at the wrong stuff. What do you all use, and where do you get it?
I used foam to start to not damage anything it was more expensive but less frustrating I only used a 2x4 piece at most
I’ve used this: Project Panels FOAMULAR 1 in. x 2 ft. x 2 ft. R-5 Small Projects Rigid Pink Foam Board Insulation Sheathing-PP1 - The Home Depot
Haven’t seen any uniform, nice cutting wood for less.
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Yep. The pink panels that Paul pinked are what I use. I have had the same two for years. I also put them under sheet goods when I make rough cuts with the circular saw. Foam is light, no splinters, and it won’t dull your blade or bits. It also has the advantage of testing cuts with zero load.
Okay, that’s the stuff I saw. Maybe our store had it under the wrong price tag at $15 each. Thanks!
Dang! I thought we were gonna learn a source of a rare kind of wood–inexpensive. 
BTW: My local Lowes has it in green for around the same price.
I think that’s the price for the 4’x8’ sheet:
@B-26, I found that a really good source for “free” wood is Craigslist, offer-up and Facebook marketplace. People give-away furniture. Some is hardwood, I pass on the particle board, but accept the oak laminated ply. Often, the furniture is garbage (remember that it was offered for free), but disassembled, it’s gold to me.
Go here and look for all wooden things. A lot of that oak laminate is trimmed with solid oak. Those 2" pieces are often very handy. Look at my build photo for the oak clamp/hold-downs. Facebook Marketplace | Facebook
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Good point! Sure can’t hurt to look!