Magazines

Magazines · 03-22-2006, 12:52 PM

I have been looking through my subscriptions, and it seems I have a lot of magazine subscriptions which is a lot of material to peruse. Some are good, some are bad, some I am indifferent, but it seems to depend on the issue.

Personally, I currently subscribe to WoodSmith, Shopnotes (just started back), Wood magazine, Fine Woodworking, and Wood magazine.

I like Woodsmith a lot. I don't necessarily use their methodology every time, but I like their dimensions and their projects.

Shopnotes is hit or miss. Some stuff good, some I really don't care about.

Fine Woodworking is top of the line. A lot of the stuff in their is out of my realm, but I get ideas and learn a lot. For example, I recently went through back issues and got a lot of insight in upgrading my bandsaw from 5 different issues.

Wood seems to be so so. They have done more on routers and router tables than I would ever believe. Some nice projects, but I am not sure if I will renew it or not.

Anyone have any recommendations either way on others or thoughts on the ones I subscribe to?

woodguy1975 · 03-22-2006, 12:57 PM

I subscribe to every magazine there is. The best by far are Fine WWing and Woodworker. Popular WWing has been improving over the last year and has gone from a potential cancel candidate to a keep for another year. Wood is ok. Woodcraft is getting better and has a lot of potential.

If I had only 3 to subscribe to it would be FWWing, Woodworker, and Popular WWing for now with WC mag in a close 4th with Wood.

Thanks,

John

DaveO · 03-22-2006, 01:19 PM

I would have to second what John said, except that I don't get Woodworking. FWW, Woodcraft, Pop. Ww'ing are the best of what I get, with Wood being maginal. I see a lot of repetition of similar article topic among all the mags. then generally start with a FWW article. Once FWW does an article on oil finishes, you'll soon see one in the others

Dave

DavidF · 03-22-2006, 01:37 PM

I have to say that I gave up on all the mags a few years ago because of all the repititions. I occasionally pick up a FWW on the stand if I'm browsing

Ray Martin · 03-22-2006, 01:51 PM

I'd have to agree with DavidF... way too much repitition. Fine Woodworking generally has good / original stuff. I tend to stop by the Local Borders bookstore and pick up the ones that have an interesting article or a project I'd like to try. Not sure if I save any money that way, but I end up with fewer issues to store in the house / shop / office (b/c you certainly don't throw these things away!).

Peace,
Ray

McRabbet · 03-22-2006, 03:07 PM

I think John meant to say "Woodwork", which is a very good magazine (www.woodwork-mag.com). I also subscribe to many mags (FWW - 6 yrs, Popular Woodworking -5 yrs, American Woodworker - 13 yrs, Woodworker's Journal ~7 yrs, Shop Notes - off and on, Woodsmith - off and on, Workbench 3 yrs, CabinetMaker - new, Woodshop News - new and Wood - 10 yrs). I agree 100% with John's ranking, except I don't get Woodcraft.

DaveO · 03-22-2006, 03:15 PM

My wife found a great subscription deal to Woodcraft mag. on E-bay 3 yrs. for something like $9 (I am not sure if that was per yr. or for all, either way it's a good deal) Woodcraft is similar in quality to FWW, plus they like to showcase our members..Woodguy and DavidF, plus an article written by Big Mike

It's only 7 issues per year, which is something that I don't understand. Why can't woodworking mags. be published more often

They can put out my wife's girlie mags. seemingly like every other week

Another gripe I have is if the publishers can put the magazine out more often at least stagger the month they do come out with the other magazine publishers. I get all my subscribed mags. in a week or two and then have to wait another 2 months to get them again. The magazines showing up in the mail box is something I really look forward to

Sorry just had to vent

Dave

Travis Porter · 03-22-2006, 04:23 PM

I'm with you on the every other month. I guess it is due to the number of subscriptions, but I do like monthly magazines. I haven't tried Woodworks or American Woodworker. Shop Notes gets to be disappointing after a while to me, abut I may try American WoodWorker or Woodworks and drop Wood for awhile.

Where they seem to rip you off is their summary mags/books that are supposed to have the best of. I have bought several and have been pretty much disappointed in all.

stoneskippers · 03-22-2006, 07:13 PM

I hope they don't come with another magazine because it would be on my list also. I'm with most of you, Fine woodworking the best. They all give me the "hey I might try that" thought. I also enjoy Woodmith & Shopnotes.

froglips · 03-22-2006, 08:28 PM

Thow in my view....

After going thru the first few years of read'm all, I'm down to:

FWW
Popular Woodworking
Woodworking Magazine - http://woodworking-magazine.com

Pop WW has taken a direction on techniques. They've touched upon using an axe and even hand saws. Chirstopher Schwartz seems to be driving this. He also Editor of Woodworking Magazine.

I also noticed Grahsm Blackburn is doing a DVD magazine. Anyone taken a look at it? http://www.blackburnbooks.com

Jim

cpowell · 03-22-2006, 08:34 PM

I got Shopnotes for a while but found much of what was included was not applicable to the machines in my shop. I did build a few projects so I got my money's worth. I did enjoy reading and picked up a few tips along the way.

Chuck

D L Ames · 03-23-2006, 11:01 PM

I have been happy with FWW, Wood magazine, and ShopNotes. I just recently started receiving Woodcraft magazine because it was offered as a free 1-year subscription. Too early to tell on that one yet but it is great to see some of the folks from North Carolina Woodworker, like WG, DavidF, and Big Mike show up between the covers of Woodcraft.

D L

Travis Porter · 03-23-2006, 11:05 PM

Ditto on seeing articles and pictures of people you can converse with. Makes me feel "special" to be acquainted with them.