Replies

1. 
   creekwood | Mar 13, 2007 07:10pm | #1

   That was a great mag! I have those issues, and would be willing to part with them, but it will cost you your shop, and your neighbors shop, plus 1500 board feet of curly maple. (I'll pay half the freight.)

   I'll be waiting to hear from you. I don't think you'll find a better deal.

1. 
   espalier | Mar 13, 2007 08:17pm | #2

   but i can trade #'s 1 & 13.(read as smile/joke)my shop is crappy but my neighbors shop is great.
   he did say something about 1000's of bd. feet of maple too.
   hmm.
   espalier

1. 
   creekwood | Mar 13, 2007 08:55pm | #3

   Wow, you know how to drive a hard bargain. I guess I'll have to pass, but it sounds like your neighbor is the one you need to deal with. Maybe your extra copies will get his tools and lumber, as long as it's more than 1500 bf.

   That mag has been discussed in here several times. I don't recall anyone not liking it.

   Jerry

    

2. 
   nikkiwood | Mar 14, 2007 12:46am | #4

   Why don't you write to Matthew Berger and propose that all those Home Furniture issues be included in the paid part of the FWW website?

   He's always looking for ways to add value to the site, and people like you are always asking about them. I would think it would be cheap and simple to add them.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   highfigh | Mar 14, 2007 03:51am | #5

   They have recycled some of the photos and possibly some other material (probably descriptions) in several of their books. I think they were a little premature with that magazine. If they re-introduced it now, I think it would sell better. If they do, I think spending a bit less on the paper for most of it would still show the quality and details but not need so many pages of ads. The only complaints I had about the mag was the ad space and the fact that there was a bit too much homage paid to a few people, on a recurring basis. New technologies have become more common since, like CAD, where they only had a few projects that dealt with it in any detail, one from just north of Milwaukee by an architect I knew. The resurgence of hand tool users, new design methods, materials, techniques and works being done now are sure to be of interest. I'm also not sure Taunton would have pulled the plug if Knots and other forums had existed then.They ought to offer it on DVD-ROM.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   espalier | Mar 14, 2007 04:44am | #6

   i like the dvd-rom idea.
   home furniture is the mag. i wish fine woodworking would be.

1. 
   highfigh | Mar 14, 2007 06:16am | #7

   I think a cross between the two would kick butt. Show fine woodworking pieces, go into the shops, have articles on the tools and techniques used by different people, new design methods etc. Then, for the second issue,....I can't see a way to put out a magazine without planning every issue at least a year ahead.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   nikkiwood | Mar 14, 2007 04:19pm | #8

   I think the magazine failed because of its stated mission.The editors were very dedicated to "inspiring" -- which meant they would not provide even sketchy info on how a particular person did this or that. The mag was often filled with perfectly wonderful pieces, and I think it would have succeeded if the editors had not been so stubborn about providing at least a minimum of information about how the author had executed the most distinctive features of the piece. At the time, there was a lot of frustration expressed about this on the part of the readers, but for reasons known only to themselves, the editors steadfastly refused to nudge the magazine in that direction.And that's too bad.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   highfigh | Mar 14, 2007 04:38pm | #9

   I think they equated the comments from the readers with being told that their mission was "wrong". Taunton has shown some of the pieces from Home Furniture in several other mags and books, as I said, and I'm sure they have inspired people to try new things. I have also seen articles on new pieces that referred directly to some of what was in HF, so I would have to say that they were successful in their mission. I don't know how wide of a base their inspiration covered but I'm sure I wasn't the only person who was more than a little PO'd when they pulled the plug. As I said, I think their timing was off- if they re-introduced a magazine like that now and it reflected the broadened scope of what is being made now, I think it could work. The Fine WoodWorking Gallery has some of the Home Furniture pieces in it, too. The glossy photos really do show off the details better than matte or flat but I think they could use a lower quality of paper for the articles and ads but the good paper can be used for the gallery photos. I think we should put the screws to them to bring it back.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   creekwood | Mar 14, 2007 08:18pm | #10

   I agree. I remember a lot of people that were very disappointed when they killed it. If  I remember correctly, they didn't have a large enough base.

   Rest assured they are reading this. Hopefully, they will look into a rebirth, in whatever format will work.

2. 
   highfigh | Mar 14, 2007 08:31pm | #11

   I don't know how they advertised for it but it wasn't the cheapest magazine I have seen. Some may have looked at 7 issues for thirty-whatever dollars as kinda steep. That would definitely contribute to a smaller than needed base. Again, the internet was far from what it is now, at the time. The ability to get the word out is a helluva lot greater now and with the Taunton site alone, they may have been able to float it. Add banners on only some of the better tool manufacturer's sites and it would almost have to work. Maybe if they teased everyone who goes to woodworking, tool maker and machinery sites with info and shots from the NEW gallery, it would let them know in advance whether it's viable or not.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

3. 
   espalier | Mar 15, 2007 04:00am | #12

   i wuold buy dvds, but adding home furnature content might be the only wat they could get me to pay money for this site.
   espalier

3. 
   user-83153 | Mar 15, 2007 05:42am | #13

   espalier,

     I found one guy selling 3 issues along with 4 Fine Homebuilding magazines on ebay and the current bid is $9.99 for all of them. I'm not sure which issues they are but you can probably tell if you have them or not by the pictures. Click here http://cgi.ebay.com/7-HOME-FURNITURE-FINE-HOMEBUILDING-TAUNTON-MAGAZINE_W0QQitemZ250094640084QQcategoryZ280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

     There is another seller with issue 6 and some others for sale, he seems to know what he has and is selling for a flat price of either $9.95 or $12.95. You can also contact him for issues that aren't currently up for sale. Click herehttp://cgi.ebay.com/HOME-FURNITURE-06-HF06_W0QQitemZ180086809708QQcategoryZ280QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

      Hope that helps, Rob

1. 
   espalier | Mar 15, 2007 01:14pm | #14

   thanks much