Replies

1. 
   RobertW | Jul 25, 2004 09:43pm | #1

   I hit Barns and Noble monthly and look through all of them. I just buy the ones that have something of interest to me.  Usually 2 or 3 of the ones you mentioned. FWW is one I buy just about everytime though. I know its more expensive, but it gives me an excuse to get out of my shop!

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 25, 2004 10:02pm | #2

   There are many, including me, who feel that WOODWORK has recently shifted away from esoteria -- and is now becoming what FWW used to be.

   I just sent in my $18 for a first-time sub, which I thought was cheap.

   I have subscribed to WOODSMITH for years, although I have never built any of their projects. Every once and a while I will get an idea, but mainly, I think I stay on the list because I like the idea of supporting this guy (Donald Peschke), who started this mag on a shoe string budget in the corn fields of Iowa, and has still managed to maintain a kind of editorial purity throughout the years.

   As for the rest, none sustain my interest enough to justify a subscription, but I do regularly peruse them on the newsstand, and occasionally I will buy one that covers something that catches my eye. Mostly, though, I think they are drivel.

3. 
   stancalow | Jul 25, 2004 10:31pm | #3

   Coolbreeze

   I only subscribe to Woodsmith, but end up buying just about all the others too.  I will probably get around to subscribing to FWW someday, since it seems to be somewhat hard to find around here.  I also like Workbench, because it has a homeowner's focus, and has useful household projects, not fine furniture.  There is a new magazine out there called "Woodworking", which has no ads, and has some good reference-quality articles.  It's only published twice a year, and they've only put out one issue so far. 

   S

4. 
   Alan | Jul 26, 2004 01:36am | #4

   Coolbreeze,

   Another vote for Woodwork.  I just got my first issue and I enjoyed it a great deal.  It reminds me of Fine Woodworking of old.

   Alan

1. 
   coolbreeze | Jul 26, 2004 01:54am | #5

   Thanks all,

   Looks like I need to add Woodwork to my list of subscriptions.

   My favorite now is FWW. I do not know about the "old" FWW but I notice that serious woodworkers refer to the "good oleFWW".

   Edited 7/25/2004 9:25 pm ET by Coolbreeze

5. 
   rholland54 | Jul 26, 2004 03:09am | #6

   I have subscribed to FWW for several years and have found it to be a good resourse of information especially the older issues.  I also subscribe to Woodshop News, which is fairly cheap, about $16.00 a year for 12 issues.  There are always interesting articles about the industry, but what I like most is each month will feature one or two company profiles.  Often it will be a one man business.  I like to see how other smalll woodworking businesses work, it is also inspiration for when and if I ever start full time.  This is something that most of the other magazines do not feature.  BTW, this is a newspaper print type of publication,  and I usually do not save them like I do with FWW. 

   Robert

6. 
   SoCalDon | Jul 26, 2004 05:09pm | #7

   I'm more into hand tools of late and have really been enjoying their extended coverage in "Popular Woodworking". The magazine has really been improving as of late. They are also the publishers of "Woodworking". The second issue should be released shortly.

1. 
   Elcoholic | Jul 26, 2004 08:18pm | #8

   I have subscribed to FWW since a year or two before they went to the smaller format.  I pick up Woodworker West for free where I buy wood and hardware.  It's good for local gallery shows and similar info.  Ian Kirby is a regular contributer with his technique column which I usually enjoy even if it's a review.  They also feature 2 local woodworkers per month.  9 out of 10 times I see Woodwork on the stand I buy it.  Should probably subscribe.  Dropped American Woodworker sub after the RD takeover which put it on the same plane as Wood IMO.  Had a gift sub to ShopSmith but found it catered to the "build the ultimate shop through better widgets" crowd more than build fine furniture crowd.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

1. 
   Jimma | Jul 26, 2004 10:08pm | #9

   "Woodwork" is a fine magazine with (in my opinion) a West Coast bias which often shows designs that break away from the more traditional styles, but which feature excellent craftsmanship and creativity. I've suscribed for several years. Richard Jones has been a frequent contributor. As a source for inspiration and a window on the work being done currently, it's great. They also carry some ads that don't appear in FWW, and many of those are interesting. If you haven't seen a copy, I'd suggest taking a look.