Woodworking Magazines

tryinhard · Post by **tryinhard** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:23 pm

Many posts reference an article that was printed in a woodworking magazine. I am interested in expanding my knowledge of woodworking, but in my limited free time I figure I have time to look at only one or two magazines. While I would love to spend more time using my SS and learning through building projects, that will have to be some time in the future. I needam interested in magazines that will help me learn through explaning the hows and whys of what they have in thier articles/projects.

A Google search provided me some magazine titles (in no particular order):

Popular Woodworking; Wood Magazine; Fine Woodworking; Woodworker's Journal;
Woodsmith; Workbench Magazine; Woodshop News; American Woodworker;
Modern Woodworking; Woodcraft Magazine; Woodezine

Based on your experiences and subscriptions, what magazines would you recommend?

jb41339 · Post by **jb41339** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:49 pm

There are two magazines that I consider my "bibles" for woodworking and good, sound articles that has always got my creative juices flowing. They are (1) WOOD MAGAZINE (http://www.woodmagazine.com) and SHOPNOTES ([url]http://www.shopnotes.com)[/url].
These magazines have many, many articles (fully illustrated) that show how to make various templates and helpful hints for getting the most out of your woodworking machines.
I always find something that is helpful in each issue.
All the others are great too, but I consistantly go to these two (back issues) if I want to know how to do a particular task.
I highly recommend them.

Jim in Tucson, Arizona

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:42 am

jb41339 wrote:There are two magazines that I consider my "bibles" for woodworking and good, sound articles that has always got my creative juices flowing. They are (1) WOOD MAGAZINE (http://www.woodmagazine.com) and SHOPNOTES ([url]http://www.shopnotes.com)[/url].
These magazines have many, many articles (fully illustrated) that show how to make various templates and helpful hints for getting the most out of your woodworking machines.
I always find something that is helpful in each issue.
All the others are great too, but I consistantly go to these two (back issues) if I want to know how to do a particular task.
I highly recommend them.

Jim in Tucson, Arizona

+1 on Wood and Shop Notes.

I like Popular Woodworking A LOT but it deals heavy in hand-tool use. Something I think one should learn before going to power tools.

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 2:29 am

I enjoy Wood Magazine, I also read Creative Woodworks & Crafts which covers small art projects like intrasia, woodburning, scrolling, and carving. I have at one time or another read or subscribed to the others you mention, but each tends to highlight a specialty. Depends on how much reading time you have...and how many magazines you must purchase to support the kids or grandkids school magazine sales.

efmaron · Post by **efmaron** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 8:08 am

I would have to say that ShopNotes is my favorite.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 8:18 am

Wood, Shop Notes and Woodsmith are my favorites.

Lodgepole · Post by **Lodgepole** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:22 am

I subscribe to Wood Magazine and Canadian Home Workshop. For my money, I enjoy these two the most.

But, when I stop by Barnes & Noble, it seems like I will pickup Woodcraft, Woodsmith or Shopnotes.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:31 am

I will have to give top billing to "Popular Woodworking" due to the awsome presence of the editor Chris Schwarz. The magazine is headquartered in Cincinnati, not far from Shopsmith in Dayton, and they are actually doing a test on the Power Pro. Chris is a friend on Nick's, and Nick has often writen articles for them. Linda Watts, who worked with Nick on many of his books also works there. You can actually email questions to Chris Schwarz and he promptly answers. He is the guru of handplanes.

I also like "Woodsmith". Their strength is in offering detailed plans.

Absolutely last on the list is "Woodworker's Journal". The editor, Sandor Nagyszalanczy, is a definite non believer/non friend of Shopsmith. Don't waste your money there.

horologist · Post by **horologist** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:48 am

Currently I subscribe to Fine Woodworking and Popular Woodworking. I have subscribed to and occasionally purchase some of the others listed above. There are so many to choose from! My recommendation would be to go to your local bookstore and read them all. After a couple of months you will get a good idea of which magazines fit the type of woodworking and projects that appeals to you.

Troy

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:43 pm

One thing to consider are the back-issue collections of ShopNotes, Popular Woodworking, Woodsmith etc. These can be less expensive than a subscription, and woodworking tips tend to be somewhat ageless. They are sometimes available printed, sometimes on CD/DVD.