There are some truly excellent FWW video how-to series available here. After buying endless copies of the magazine for years and years, I find the website video series now the most valuable part of FWW, as a moving demonstration of how-to. Close ups of the process rather than just still pics of a small part of the process imparts a lot of detailed understanding. And the FWW video production & presentation values have been very high, especially compared to the often utter dross of the average YouTube vids.
But the video series seems to have become moribund, with only around one a year now – and without the breadth or scope of most of the older series, which covered lots of tool-use, techniques, design aspects and the making of a whole piece. A few video explanations of use of glue or bandsaw are interesting and useful but a very narrow scope compared to previous make-a-piece-of-furniture video series.
What is the current FWW plan or intentions concerning future video series? Are there to be any; more or less than the current poor rate; a greater or lesser scope? It would be not just interesting to know but a decider concerning a subscription – or not.
Replies
Seconded.
They really added value to the Unlimited subscription, which is seeming less useful now there is less new content.
Hint....
Have there been any beneficial changes since AIM took over ownership of FWW? It hasn't been too long.
Not sure I agree. Maybe one a year. . One big one though! the Dan Faia chair series ran from August 23 until Feb 24 - That's 6 months and it was super detailed. I think a comparative quality video series from someone else would cost the entirety of what FWW charge for an unlimited membership but you get so much more from FWW. I obviously want more of the same and think it's a bargain. Hopefully the AIM ownership doesn't affect it. Doesn't seem to currently. I just watched a long interview with Peter Folansbee that was posted for members. Excellent. Bravo basically. UK / 38 year old member.
Honest answer, the buyout put a wrench in production for a bit. We were just getting back up to speed after covid and then we lost about 6 months or so.
We're getting ramped back up though, and yes, there have been beneficial changes, but it's going to take a bit of time till they're obvious to everyone.
Soon, we'll be releasing a Video Workshop with Tim Coleman following along as he makes "Full Circle". This is a new undertaking for us. It was filmed over the course of a few months and is a true glimpse into the working process of one of today's most respected woodworkers.
So, agreed. We want to make more series, and we plan on doing so. We're working towards that, and we have some exciting stuff planned.
Thanks Ben. I keep forgetting about the buyout and how that can slow things down a bit.
Awesome news - I really appreciate the high production values and understand they take a lot of time. The detail in the recent chair build was about perfect for my taste - enough information that I would have 'no trouble' (ha ha) reproducing it, at least in my own mind, not so much to be dull and repetitive, yet soothing and relaxing also.
I tell myself I could probably make that chair following along with the video. I think it would take EVERYTHING I HAVE... but I think I could. That's generally the goal!