Jun 102013
Fine Woodworking
The magazine for savvy woodworkers–from aspiring beginners to accomplished craftsmen. Contain stimulating design ideas, techniques and projects, ingenious tips and jigs, and great product reviews.Fine Woodworking Magazine is a great resource for woodworkers of all levels. This magazine is packed with step-by-step instructions and real-world information on constructing fascinating projects. From small woodworking projects to significant tasks, expect the most up-to-date and seasoned advice from
List Price: $ 55.93
Price: $ 34.95
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Not just for “experts”…,
I’ve subscribed to this magazine for several years now, though somehow (sadly) I let my subscription expire. Trust me, I’m fixing that!
I’ve gone from hobbyist to almost-full time professional woodworker over the past few years, making everything from small desk clocks to custom cabinetry and furniture. I’d have to roger up with the other reviewers who’ve said that, if they could only have one woodworking magazine, this would be it.
Strengths — I don’t care where you are in your woodworking skill/experience level; you WILL find something worth a careful read in each issue. I’ve subscribed to several other woodworking magazines of which that could not be said. Yes, much of what is featured/discussed in these magazines is “high-level” stuff. That’s how you grow as a woodworker. There needs to be at least one journal for any profession that takes on the finer points on a consistent basis. THIS IS IT for the profession of woodworking. What’s new in water-based finishes (a lot!), veneering, dovetails on a curved drawer front (haven’t tried THAT one yet!) — just a few of the kinds of stuff you can expect to find in FWW. Four or five years ago I may have disregarded this magazine as “too much” for me; then again, I cringe at the quality and worksmanship of some of my “handiwork” from that same time!
The contributors to this magazine (I’ve met a few) are some of the most accomplished, yet down-to-sawdust people you’d ever meet in this business. Most of them are making a living working wood, and are happy to share lessons of both success and failure to help the reader.
Weaknesses? Well, as has been mentioned, you won’t find many diagrams or drawings to help you step-by-step. Personally, I don’t consider that a drawback, and it’s not part of the magazine’s mission to provide them. If you’re out to basically cut out and assemble a kit every so often, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
If, on the other hand, you want to develop your knowledge of one of the oldest crafts in history, to get to the point that you can conceive, design, draft, and build (oh, yeah — and finish!) one — or a hundred — quality works in wood, then this is well worth the annual subscription.
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|Sooner or Later…,
Many have heard the old Copenhagen snuff ad that stated, “Sooner or later it is Copenhagen!”. Well, that is exactly how it goes with Fine Woodworking. Some say it isn’t filled with enough projects and they are too difficult, some say the articles are way too technical, and even others say that the reviews are too critical. Response: Yes and no. If you don’t want your tools to last a lifetime, then the reviews are too critical. If you want a project that you can be proud of your entire life and look at with pride, knowing it will become a family heirloom, then the projects are not to difficult, and after you spend 100 hours building something and another 30 to 50 hours sanding and finishing it, there aren’t too few. And if you sincerely believe that ignorance is bliss, and education is the root of evil, then yes the articles are too technical.
For anyone that wants to become the best woodworker they can, then this is the magazine for you. Many start out with other magazines, “BUT SOONER OR LATER IT IS FINE WOODWORKING”!
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|Overpriced magazine,
I have been a subscriber for many years, but for $34.95, it just isn’t worth it anymore. Woodwork is a better magazine with more original content. I just can’t see putting out this much for an advertising based magazine. Look elsewhere, like used books for lasting content for much less. The magazine has always had an “east coast” bias, which is fine, but the lack of diversity of the woodworking styles represented is not excusable in a magazine supposed to be covering the furniture building audience. If you ever can get your hands on some of the earlier copies, you will be amazed at the quality of writers and articles then compared with now.
I would recommend Popular Woodworking if you are interested in hand tools and methods. Seems a little fresher these days. Or for a more artistic bent, look at Woodwork magazine.
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