Replies

1. 
   MBerger | May 16, 2005 07:42pm | #1

   If you subscribe to the magazine, you've probably seen a lot of the FW shop and you just didn't know it. We use the space for some of our photo shoots. I'll see what I can get my hands on and post a few pix by the end of the week.

   cheers 

    

   Matt Berger

   Taunton New Media

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 17, 2005 10:07pm | #4

   I'll see what I can get my hands on and post a few pix by the end of the week

    

   We still waiting!

1. 
   MBerger | May 18, 2005 12:10am | #5

   Jeez, It's only Tuesday!Matt Berger

   Taunton New Media

1. 
   BrentS | May 18, 2005 12:40am | #6

   Yeah, but it's Wednesday in some parts of the world!!

1. 
   MarkRD | May 18, 2005 12:58am | #7

   But in CT it's Tuesday (Where Taunton is located).MarkGo back through your FWW mags. Look at pics when tool testing is done (like a few years ago when they tested table saw fences)... You'll see some good shots of the shop...

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

   View Image

2. 
   SawdustSteve | May 17, 2005 03:15am | #2

   It would probably look like Norm Abrams' shop on steroids
   (with tongue firmly in cheek) SawdustSteve

1. 
   forestgirl | May 17, 2005 07:39pm | #3

   Norm's shop on steroids?  Yikes!  End of the world as we know it!

   Matt said pics at the end of the week.  Wonder if they're furiously shop-cleaning??  Too funny.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   MBerger | May 20, 2005 07:11pm | #8

   As promised, here are a few snapshots of the FW shop.

   A little bit of background first. The shop is attached to our offices and is used for a variety of purposes. We prepare tools for editorial reviews, we photograph products and woodworking techniques for use in the magazine, and it's used as a community woodshop and classroom for employees.

   As a result, the 2000-plus square feet of space is constantly filled beyond capacity. It's never clean. And when it comes time to actually do some woodworking, inevitably you have to move something or take the time to sharpen or set up a tool.

   Nobody's complaining, though. Despite it's scrappy appearance, it is an indispensable resource. And as many of you know, it's not about the space, it's about what comes out of it.

   Matt Berger

   Taunton New Media

   
1. 
   MarkRD | May 20, 2005 07:43pm | #9

   Hey, when you are done with the jointers, can I have one. :-) CT is not a long drive for me. I'll happily pick it up.Thanks for the pics.Mark

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

   View Image

2. 
   mudman | May 20, 2005 07:53pm | #10

   Thanks for taking the time to post the pics. I was suprised to see the cramped conditions in the machine rooms. Then I saw the "prep area" now I see where all that 2,000 square feet is. I would think that lighting is a big deal for yall, what do you use? I read the article a while back, but cannot remember yall mentioning the setup in your shop.

   Hope I'm no opening a can of worms.

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

3. 
   Woodbutcher9 | May 20, 2005 08:43pm | #11

   Matt,

   Thanks for the pics.  Question:  When FWW buys tools for a tool review, do you state your affiliation and that it will be used for a review?  Or do you order with a stealth address to ensure you get a off-the-shelf tool?

   2nd question:  where do all the tools go after the testing?  If you don't have the room to keep them, do you sell them off, donate to local school, employee discount?

1. 
   MBerger | May 20, 2005 10:32pm | #13

   I'm going to defer on all questions related to tool testing. For one, we use a scientific process that I'm not involved with. Secondly the magazine policy is to not comment beyond what we publish in the magazine to avoid any improprieties. Matt Berger

   Taunton New Media

1. 
   woodhoarder | May 20, 2005 11:36pm | #14

   It's funny, I think I can actually hear mouths watering over all those jointers.

   Tony

4. 
   Toolfreak | May 20, 2005 09:07pm | #12

   Wow -- THANKS! Looks like a woodworker's paradise!!- Toolfreak

5. 
   WillGeorge | May 21, 2005 04:50am | #15

   I love it..  Ya got them blue handled chisels I got!

   I do not see ant Japan Saws?

1. 
   tailsorpins | May 24, 2005 12:57am | #23

   In the Bench Room photo, I think I see four Japanese saws, .... upper right by the American saws.

   Same photo ..... I don't think that jointer plane gets much use ..... nor perhaps does that turning saw.  They've been assigned decorative duties .... or perhaps you'd call that "top shelf" statis!  A Shame!

   I like the rows of lockers beneath the machine room bench.  Would like to find some similar for a community workshop.

   John in Texas

   Edited 5/23/2005 6:01 pm ET by TAILSORPINS

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 26, 2005 01:12am | #25

   John in Texas.. 

   Ya got gooder eyes! Hand me a LoneStar!

    

6. 
   WillGeorge | May 21, 2005 04:56am | #16

   NICE BUT! NO SAW DUST??

    

7. 
   forestgirl | May 21, 2005 07:59pm | #17

   Wow, Matt, thanks!  I love the windows on the left side of that one pictures (at the top of the wall).   I see the dust collection is given high priority.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 22, 2005 09:04pm | #20

    love the windows on the left side of that one pictures (at the top of the wall).  

   Only from Foresgirl...  LOL..  I was thinkin' about curtins there....

1. 
   forestgirl | May 22, 2005 10:32pm | #21

   Natural light makes such a big difference.  We have a very big window on one end of the shop, but unfortunately the wood stove had to go there, so I don't get to put a workbench in that light.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   MBerger | May 23, 2005 05:58pm | #22

   Thanks for all your interest in the FW Shop. Feel free to ask questions throughout the week and I'll respond when I have a free moment. (remember, I'm taking the 5th on tool test questions)

   Lighting: The entire shop is lighted with fluorescents and there are windows in the bench and machine rooms that let in a lot of natural light. There's no clock in the shop so the windows also indicate when it's time to go home.

   Dust Collection: Every machine is hooked up to our central dust collection system. That's one reason why the place tends to stay relatively dust free. We also have a few air filters that get turned on for task like working with MDF or using a hand-held router.Matt Berger

   Taunton New Media

2. 
   TXJon | May 26, 2005 02:02am | #26

   What do you do with all those tools after you have tested them?  How many jointers can you really use?

   Perhaps you should consider giving them to loyal subscribers, on a first request, first served basis.

   Go ahead and put my name at the top of the list for one of each (just one, shouldn't get greedy).

   Thanks!

8. 
   Peter_C | May 21, 2005 10:05pm | #18

   Thank you Matt.Makes a guy's mouth water just to see it. Well, now I'll stroll into my 12' x 18' basement shop and dream a little dream.......

1. 
   Ecbntmkr | May 22, 2005 04:57am | #19

   Thanks for the pics. Are the jointers for an upcoming article or one that has already been done? They look like eight" jointers? Hoping for a review on the 8".
   Thanks,
   Eric"When it comes time to die, make sure all you have to do is die." -Jim Elliot

2. 
   lwj2 | May 24, 2005 04:26am | #24

   You and me, both, Meat.Thanks for the photos, Matt.Leon Jester