template relief carving for router

[David Anaise]

I would like to create a relief carving using a router I have bits that allows the use of a template like MDF . I am looking for a material that I can cut with a knife which will create a template rather the need to use MDF and a jig saw
any suggestions?

[mark yundt]

I really don't think there is anything that will stand up to a router as a template that you can cut out with a knife. Anything that soft or thin would be totally useless and be destroyed in seconds by the router/follower.
I may not be understanding your intentions but if you are routing out a panel to carve as a relief,,why do you even need a template unless you plan on making many repeats. And if you plan on the router clearing out excess wood,,at different levels,,,then you are going to need several different templates. If it's a one off or even several..it's faster and much easier to just router out to pencil lines and call it done.
I've recently done 10 panels ranging from 16 inches to 4 ft in length,,took a day to do them all. Then two panels 3 ft wide X 5 1/2 ft tall took an afternoon.