I did it. I broke down and bought Fine Woodworking’s CD. I’m not sure why, but I thought it would be at least as good as the magazine from which it came. Unfortunately, ‘Fine Woodworking’ doesn’t ensure ‘fine CD making’ too.
Specificaly: I took great inspiration from Lonnie Bird’s articles on his making a “18th-Century Pennsylvania Secretary” when I saw them in the magazine. As you may recall, that was a very large project, with many unusual and complex design and construction elements. It was so involved that the article was published in three successive issues.
I’m working on a project right now in which I thought I might use some of Bird’s ideas. I thought the CD would mean I had a handy and easy way to reference Bird’s impressive work. Unfortunately, only the first of the three installments was included on the CD!
Unbelievable. Apparently, even though they sell for a great pile of samolians, Taunton didn’t put out as good a product as they should have and as they easily could have. This is the kind of mistake usually made through carelessness; and it’s the kind of mistake that should have been caught, and could have been caught at several stages in the production of the CD.
This is the only FUBAR I’ve so far discovered. I’m resigned that there are probably many more. A simple mistake like this, one so basic, too often means carelessness pervades the entire project.
Alan
Replies
I think you ought to complain to Taunton, and ask for your money back. And if I were refused a refund at first, I would just keep going up the line until somebody said okay.
There is not a tool manufacturer in the business that would not refund your money if you were dissatisfied with a purchase, and I think Taunton should be held to the same standard.
Alan,
The second and third installments of the highboy article are on the disc, but they are listed under their lead titles instead of as parts two and three of the highboy series. The second part is titled "Installing a Desk Gallery", and the third part is titled "Tombstone Doors".
Sorry for the confusion, I'll point out the problem to the disc's editor to see if it can be corrected in later editions.
John White
Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine
It doesnt suprise me about Taunton press rushing things to get a product out on the market. I wanted to buy that CD for the longest time but I wont spend that kind of money for it that they are asking.
I wanted to build a antique saw that they had in one of their articles about 2yrs ago in fine woodworking. It seemed to me that by reading the article that things were left out. As it turns out, they left out some measurements on the drawing so I could not make the saw. I called Tauton and they put me in touch with the author who did help me. Now, I dont buy their magazine anymore because of this and the fact that many of the articles are not interesting anymore. There are many other woodworking magazines that are far better and that publish articles for people that do woodworking as a hobby and not for a living.
Dimitri
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