More than two years ago, I teamed up with Fine Woodworking magazine editor Asa Christiana to come up with a Web series to teach the basics of woodworking. The magazine has mostly assumed that its readers have some level of interest and knowledge in woodworking. So we wanted to focus our efforts at reaching people who don’t even know they might enjoy it. 

The result was Getting Started in Woodworking, a series of videos and articles that cover the basics of woodworking with the goal of equipping viewers with the core fundamentals so they could move on to larger and more sophisticated projects covered in the magazine.

START WOODWORKING: available on newsstands.

Last month, we wrapped up the second season of Getting Started in Woodworking on the Web just in time to launch a special issue magazine called Start Woodworking on newsstands. The magazine/DVD compiles videos from our second season on a 80-minute DVD with a companion 48-page magazine that includes related articles, techniques, and drawings and cut lists for the projects covered on the DVD.

Due to the unfortunate economics of magazine publishing, this special issue isn’t available online. You can only buy it on newsstands at your local grocery, book store, or home center. For $10, this is a great gift for someone who has a few tools and motivation but doesn’t know where to start. And if you’re a fan of our Web series, here’s your chance to own the second season on DVD.

I hope you’ll support our efforts to spread the gospel of woodworking by picking up a copy. Even if this is below your skill level, perhaps you can pass it on to someone who could use it. 

Start Woodworking. On newsstands through April 2009.