Replies

1. 
   BArnold | Sep 14, 2004 03:48pm | #1

   Buzzsaw,

   Of the magazines you listed, I would pick Wood as my first choice.  I've had a subscription seems like forever.  Like most publications, it has its pros and cons but suited me over the years.  As my talents have progressed, I find that Fine Woodworking Magazine provides more of the information I really need now but I will retain my subscription to Wood because of the range of projects and articles it has.

   Woodshop News will most likely be my next subscription to start.  I've seen a couple of issues; it's more of a newsprint type of publication.  As they state on their website: "Woodshop News is a national consumer/trade publication for both professional and serious amateur woodworkers with features on furniture and cabinetmaking, remodeling and building, and crafts and galleries."

   Good luck on your choices.  We don't have kids at home anymore but there are plenty in the neighborhood.  Last evening, the girl next door came by selling coupon books for her orchestra class.  Then there will be the Girl Scout cookies, candy sales, candles and do-dads for whatever.  These kids have learned what a soft touch we are!

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Sep 14, 2004 03:57pm | #2

   Thanks for your input Bill. Before you know it my kids will also be out of the house. The only problem is that my savings for college isn't keeping pace with how fast they are growing up. I appreciate your experienced advice...Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   BArnold | Sep 14, 2004 08:00pm | #8

   Buzzsaw,

   To aid in your decision, Google for each magazine title and look at their website.  Be sure you go to the actual magazine website and not a sales outfit like 'Magazines of America'.  The magazine website will give you a better idea of their range of content.Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

1. 
   BG | Sep 15, 2004 02:21pm | #9

   Buzz,

   Just my $.02 worth.  From a learning perspective nothing beats FWW and Woodworker, however most of their projects are in the distant future when I'm a bit more confident that a $1000 investment in wood will not be destroyed. 

   Invariably when I'm looking for project that is both within my budget and provides a good learning experience I end up choosing one from Popular Woodworking...not all the time but much more than other mags.

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Sep 15, 2004 02:50pm | #10

   Thanks BG,

     For some reason FWW isn't offerred in this magazine drive.  When you say Woodworker do you mean American WoodWorker?Regards,

   Buzzsaw

2. 
   BG | Sep 15, 2004 04:18pm | #11

   Buzz,

   Sorry...I meant Woodwork Magazine...I suspect that is not offered either....Augest featured "Building a Classic Workbench to Last a Lifetime"...yum.

2. 
   EdHarrow | Sep 17, 2004 09:15pm | #15

   Not to really change the subject...

   "The only problem is that my savings for college isn't keeping pace with how fast they are growing up. " 

   Actually, IMOO, that is a good thing; the college will take whatever you have, LOL.  Of course, as your child begins to represent an investment on the part of the school, rather than a source of income, it helps if your kids bring along stuff to brag about.  That helps convince the college that they (the college) will get a good return on their investment.   ;-) 

   (Yes, you can interpret this as an endorsement to go purchase more tools.)

2. 
   SoCalDon | Sep 14, 2004 05:33pm | #3

   You'll probably get more opinions than available magazines on this one.  The correct answers lie in what type of woodorking you do. I've subscribed to all of the ones on your list except for Weekend Woodcrafts. I personally prefer Popular Woodworking and Woodworkers Journal with Wood being a distant third choice. I let my subscription to Woodshop News lapse as it is definitely geared more toward the trade. My choice are predicated on the fact that I love to work with hand tools wherever possible and Popular Woodworking always has more handtool content than the rest.

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Sep 14, 2004 05:41pm | #4

   Thanks SoCalDon. I'm still working on my workbench so I'm not really sure how much I like using hand tools just yet.  I'm about 9 months into woodworking with my shop evolving as I write.  My wife keeps coming up with home-related woodworking projects to work on which means that I can't get to what I want to work on in the shop. So I'm wide open on this one but I know I have a passion for this hobby and would really like to supplement my income someday with woodworking projects. Thanks again for your input..Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   mudman | Sep 14, 2004 06:33pm | #5

   Stop by your local Library, bookstore, Home Depot, Lowes, or even most large grociery stores and you will find most of those you listed. Look them over...... pick two. I am a information nut and subscribe 6 trade publications (most are related to remodeling, my profesion) two are FWW and woodwork. I am likely to pick up two or three others at the store in a given month when I run out of stuff to read.

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

1. 
   shake_n_stir | Sep 14, 2004 06:53pm | #6

   As many have already said, it is a personel choice.  I have jumped around various subscription, and basically ruled out WORK BNECH.  It is a bit basic, and got repetitive after a year.  I did breakdown and subscribe to it again when they offered it to me at 50 cents and issue for a year.  It was worth 50 cents.

2. 
   tallcorn | Sep 15, 2004 05:44pm | #12

   Popular Woodworking and Woodworkers Journal are my favorites after Fine Woodworking.  WOOD is ok some months.

   Scott

3. 
   normite | Sep 14, 2004 07:23pm | #7

   I devour woodworking magazines! That's probably because I have more opportunity to read the magazines than spending time in the shop due to my time constraints.

   If I had to choose, I would go with Wood (for the detailed project plans) and American Woodworker (for their sense of humor).

   I know I've seen a few posts knocking it but I do enjoy Workbench, as well as the whole August Publishing line. We currently subscribe to every magazine that they publish: Woodsmith, Shop Notes, Cuisine, Garden Gate and Workbench!

   As you can see, quite the magazine junkies!

   Good luck!

4. 
   DBishop | Sep 16, 2004 05:45am | #13

   As another avenue to explore, Amazon.com sells magazine subscriptions and as such, has reviews of all the magazines they sell.

   I will generally check out Amazon before making any purchase and check out a broad spectrum of views.

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Sep 16, 2004 02:36pm | #14

   Thanks Derek for that input.  I'll check it out although I am more interested in the experienced woodworkers and what their opinions are about these magazines.  I'm getting some good feedback..Regards,

   Buzzsaw

5. 
   jquinn | Sep 22, 2004 01:32am | #16

   My tops on that list is Popular Woodworking.  They seem to have plans for more Traditional American furniture, and I think cover some good intermediate skill level subjects and methods.  Wood also has some good projects.  I subscribe to both, and they would be my pick.  I also subscribe to Woodshop news, but it is geared more toward the actual business side of woodworking, whether for large or small shops.  It is educational on a different scope.

   I think American Woodworker really declined once they moved over from Rodale to Readers Digest group, in terms of content, projects, and amount of material.

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Sep 22, 2004 02:23pm | #17

   jquinn,

     Thanks for your input.  I pretty much decided on Wood since that magazine garnered the most recommendations.  Popular Woodworking came in a close second and I may purchase both of them.  Thanks very much for your input...

   Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   BArnold | Sep 22, 2004 05:30pm | #18

   "My daughters are having a magazine drive at school so I told them I would buy one magazine from each of them."

   "...I may purchase both of them."

   Hmmm....not to meddle, but it sounds like you'll be buying more than one subscription for sure!  <grin>

   Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

   Edited 9/22/2004 10:31 am ET by BArnold

   Edited 9/22/2004 10:32 am ET by BArnold

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Sep 22, 2004 05:37pm | #20

   Bill,

    That's a fact, it's Wood and Popular Woodworking that were the most recommended. I'm worried more about the subscription(s) to college :)Regards,

   Buzzsaw

2. 
   Garry | Sep 22, 2004 05:37pm | #19

   I agree that American Woodworker is not worth the time or the money. I received a gift subscription and it takes me about 5 minutes to scan it then set it down and then finally toss it.

   Garry

6. 
   shadyjim | Sep 23, 2004 10:57pm | #21

   Wood and Workbench.  I think Fine Woodworking is probably my favorite but these two are good magazines also.

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Sep 23, 2004 11:22pm | #22

   Thanks for your input.  I have already put in my order for Wood as it was pretty unanimous for that magazine.  I will have to pick up a copy of WorkBench as it did get some decent reviews from others as well...Regards,

   Buzzsaw