Replies

1. 
   jhounshell | Feb 09, 2007 08:25pm | #1

   The interesting thing about woodworking magazines, it seems there are a finite number of topics for them to cover. The same topics get repeated over and over. I find it amusing that one magazine may run a review on dovetial jigs, and the next month a different magazine will run the same article, just a different writer's perspective.

   I used to subscribe to numerous woodworking magazines. But after seeing the same articles run over and over by different magazines, I dropped them all but two (FWW and Wood). I review all the magazines on the shelf at Barnes and Noble, but rarely purchase anymore. If there is something interesting in one of the other mags, chances are FWW or Wood will pick it up in a month or two anyways.

2. 
   philip | Feb 10, 2007 07:36am | #2

   Guy-I don't understand why this type of question is asked-we have seen any number of dovetails and articles-but many have not. Likewise many would not know of more than one or two methods of doing them.
   I no longer get the mag-if I did I would still look at the article-maybe there is something to be learned.

   Philip Marcou
1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 10, 2007 09:42pm | #3

   Philip, good point.  When I started getting underwhelmed by various articles (more so in Wood, Practical Woodworking other middle-of-the-road WWing mags) I took it as a sign that I simply needn't subscribe any longer, everything I need is in my library.

   Likewise, it's kinda nice now to walk into a tool store and feel like there's really not much I'm tempted by!  Like kids trading baseball cards:  "Got it, got it, got it."

   Problem with us humans is we need (or simply expect?) new stimuli all the time.  Like you say, there's only so many topics in WWing.  Plus, the magazine simply can't cater to the small percentage of people who are super-advanced in the field.  They'd never meet their expenses, LOL.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   jimmar | Feb 10, 2007 10:16pm | #4

   This reminds me of the people who've moved so far beyond the Nov.77 issue that they can't see the point of FWW publishing any more.
   There will always be new readers or the publication is dead in the water. Basics will have to be covered and recovered; new skill levels will continue to be broached. It can't be FWW for a super-skilled elite because it's got to sell enough to survive. If someone believes they can do better, they should, and get publishing it even if it's only a newsletter. But they should not use my time on this forum to say the same thing over and over and over again.
   Really, I'd like to see something like that...

1. 
   ptu | Feb 10, 2007 10:48pm | #5

   This is a magizine, not a text book. If you don't learn something everyday, you loose.
   Pedro

2. 
   user-192253 | Feb 11, 2007 06:53am | #6

   Thank you for your reply to my post regarding dovetail articles. Would you please send me a list of the type of questions that I may ask?Sometime I sits and thinks and sometimes I just sits

1. 
   bejuan | Feb 11, 2007 07:33am | #7

   I'm a relative novice woodworker and knots camper who absolutely loves FWW and knots, despite warts.  Realizing that most things will be re-evaluated over time (to wit, dovetails) I don't feel such things should be fretted over and frankly should be complimented.  For example, what if a new woodworker had to delve out an article from the 70's that described "proper" hand tool dovetail execution?  Such an exercise would not, IMO, bring positive reinforcement to the craft.  As another example I offer the ball and claw foot.  The last issue's master class to accomplish this task (E. Langdon, nicely done).  According to searches for a project recently completed there are only a half-dozen or so usable instructional resources available (I took all comers: knots/net, Vandal, Greene, Bird, Headley, Lowe, olde mill cabinet shops (also Mr. Langdon)).  GO FWW, you ROCK!

   No disrespect meant to any posters,

   JDS. 

2. 
   Lataxe | Feb 11, 2007 02:31pm | #8

   Guy,

   You request: "Would you please send me a list of the type of questions that I may ask"?  Ha! There is an easy answer to that: "Any and all" (as I'm sure His Excellency Philip will agree). 

   Of course, if you were requesting to know: "Which questions may I ask that have a meaningful answer", you may find that this list is a small subset of "any and all".  As to deciding what that subset consists of and whether your proto-question is a member, I recommend you apply your own criteria, as the rest of us always do before we post.

   Naturally, some questions that you hope have an answer will turn out to be moot.  Life is full of disappointments (but also of exciting and life-affirming surprises).

   :->

   Lataxe, a Bolean question-taxonomer.

    

3. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Feb 13, 2007 05:24am | #9

   Guy,

   Having recently embarked on a new journey, that being hand cut dovetails, I found the article most informative, especially on page 34.  Over the years I have discovered many different approaches to making traditional joints, not just dovetails. 

   It's always refreshing to see new ideas and methods .  I don't mean that to be argumentative.  I've searched the internet extensively for information regarding same.  Albeit the dovetail joint, as some would suggest is not rocket science, but there's always something to be learned. 

   In my mind I think that dovetails are meant to be handcut, sort of like they were first made.  I feel good pairing the parts and when they go together with a slight bam of the fist I feel I've done a good job.

   Oh boy, I'm going to get a lambasted for that, but hey that's how I feel.  That to me is a big part of the enjoyment of woodworking.

   Just trying to elevate my skills beyond a woodbutcher,

    

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!