Shopsmith Forums

Any thoughts on the strengths/weaknesses of each (i.e. to help with the purchase decision:) ). For example, I would be looking for a good "how to..." first and then maybe tool reviews second.

PS the OP's link for Shopnotes is bad follow this http://www.shopnotes.com/

In my opinion Wood magazine is the top wood worker magazine. The other two I favor is Woodsmith and Shopnotes. Woodsmith for it's projects and Shopnotes for it's super jigs and shop tips.

If I feel in need to abuse myself I will read Fine Woodworking that to me is aimed at people with unlimited budgets and unlimited talent. There are one or two other recent mags that try to duplicate Fine Woodworking but they usually fail to meet it's quality.

Then there are some also run woodworking magazines they usually publish a similar article one or two issues after Wood or FW has published it.

My all time favorite was Shopsmith's Hands On, but it is gone.

Shopnotes and Woodsmith are probalby my favorites. Both have very detailed drawings, so they are great if you (like me) are still not quite ready to start designing your own furniture and jigs completely from scratch.

Shopnotes is really good when it comes to technique. So you will learn a lot about how to use your tools, how to build interesting jigs for your tools, and sometimes how to build your own tools. A Summarized Table Of Contents from a random issue pulled off my shelf: Tapering on the Jointer; Build a Project Wokcenter; Build a Tablesaw Workstation; Build a Wall-Mounted Tool Rack; Choosing and Using Guide Bushings; Selecting Continuous Hinges; Accurate Assembly Aids; Drilling Shelf Pin Holes; Our Favorite Shop Materials; Simple Workbench Upgrades; Cutting Perfect Circles.

Woodwmith is similar, but it is more about furniture projects. It is published by the same folks who do Shopnotes, but the focus is ususally around projects, and then techniques to support those projects. A Summarized Table Of Contents from a random issue pulled off my shelf: All About Microplane Rasps; 5 Favotire Router Accessories; Handy Clamping Trickes; Shop-Made Inlay Banding (to go with the next project); Build an Inlaid Picture Frame; Sizing Part on the Table Saw; The Versatile Disk Sander; Brushing on Varnish; Sectioned Columns; Build a Craftsman Style Wall Mirror; Build a Woven-Seat Bench; Build a Cherry Sideboard. Woodsmith is excellent for showing you how furniture works (how things are assembled, tricks and things to watch out for, etc...).

I canceled all of my magazines except Wood. I sorta hated doing it because I had a pretty good collection going. But it was necessary. I thought.

Now I spend a lot of time at Barnes and Noble (in the Starbucks) reading many of those listed by others in this thread. I may spend as much on coffee as I would have on subscriptions.

Thanks for all the comments so far. I especially appreciate the explanations on the reasons for the different magazines' appeal or non-appeal to each member.

If anyone would like to further elaborate on their choices, I am eager to read it.

Like Gene, I rely on Wood, Shopnotes, and Woodsmith. I also get Woodworker's Journal (Rockler), and Woodcraft (it was free). I just received in today's mail a solicitation from Fine Woodworking for a DVD with issues from 1975 to 2009 ($149.95) PLUS a free year of Fine Woodworking. Now if only I could get my Model Railroader in the same format it would really clear up some much needed shelf space. FWIW, I did take advantage of a similar offer from National Geographic (1888-2008). I think I paid around $64.00.

BPR

I subscribe to several magazines. My opinions, briefly:

Woodsmith - overall favorite. Great projects with detailed explanations. Great tips section.

ShopNotes - similar to Woodsmith but all about jigs and shop projects.

Wood - also very good projects. Does some good comparative tool reviews. Good tips section.

Woodcraft - good projects. Maybe slightly simpler than Woodsmith or Wood.

Popular Woodworking - changing a lot lately. Seems to be less emphasis on projects, more on hand tools. Good articles on finishing and design. They do have a pretty good beginner's project in every issue.

Fine Woodworking - more about how and why and what's possible. Includes some plans but less detailed instructions.

I find all these mags interesting and informative.

If you are looking for woodworking "self-education" info on tools and techniques you should also look at used book sites for Nick Engler's Workshop Companion book series. Highly recommended.

Don

Thanks for all the good feedback guys, I am going to try Shopnotes for now.

PS I also read Fine Woodworking at the local library (so, it's a freebie )