I don't want to say this is the consensus. Just my experience at this time. I have never before used a fir PBC before. Also, the machining results may be very different if you're using a CNC as apposed to a slider with or without scoring. This material may have also been a lower end brand or even a cheep import, I didn't ask or really care. I have never had screw holding problems with pine core as long as I am using a proper length screw for the thickness I am attaching. In retrospect, I never directly answered Marks question from my point-of-view which is you will get what you pay for! Just like anything, brand names will stand out over others. Just doing some research on a well know name I have purchased before, Roseburg is a big name in Melamine panels and I found out that contrary to what I believed, there panels are manufactured from fir. I always believed it was pine. It may also depend on what part of the country the materials are manufactured since they own plants in a number of north west as well as south and south east states. Now I went out to the shop to look closer and compare the two materials I have and find a clear difference between what I know is Roseburg premium melamine and this cheaper stuff I purchased for utility purposes. The premium is noticeably denser with finer size fibers and less porous looking than the other. I believe I have become some what complacent over 35 years in trusting what I buy but I feel comfortable in trusting the brand names I have come to know even it costs a more.