Reviews (8)

The BEST
Of all the woodworking magazines available to read Fine Woodworking is the best, bar none. It will encourage those with no experience, and inspire those who are serious about woodworking. I have subscribed to this magazine for the past 12 years, and have read many articles that have helped me to become a better woodworker. The old issues I have saved for reference and are timeless in their information.

Not just for "experts"...
I've subscribed to this magazine for several years now, though somehow (sadly) I let my subscription expire. Trust me, I'm fixing that!

I've gone from hobbyist to almost-full time professional woodworker over the past few years, making everything from small desk clocks to custom cabinetry and furniture. I'd have to roger up with the other reviewers who've said that, if they could only have one woodworking magazine, this would be it.

Strengths -- I don't care where you are in your woodworking skill/experience level; you WILL find something worth a careful read in each issue. I've subscribed to several other woodworking magazines of which that could not be said. Yes, much of what is featured/discussed in these magazines is "high-level" stuff. That's how you grow as a woodworker. There needs to be at least one journal for any profession that takes on the finer points on a consistent basis. THIS IS IT for the profession of woodworking. What's new in water-based finishes (a lot!), veneering, dovetails on a curved drawer front (haven't tried THAT one yet!) -- just a few of the kinds of stuff you can expect to find in FWW. Four or five years ago I may have disregarded this magazine as "too much" for me; then again, I cringe at the quality and worksmanship of some of my "handiwork" from that same time!

The contributors to this magazine (I've met a few) are some of the most accomplished, yet down-to-sawdust people you'd ever meet in this business. Most of them are making a living working wood, and are happy to share lessons of both success and failure to help the reader.

Weaknesses? Well, as has been mentioned, you won't find many diagrams or drawings to help you step-by-step. Personally, I don't consider that a drawback, and it's not part of the magazine's mission to provide them. If you're out to basically cut out and assemble a kit every so often, you'll want to look elsewhere.

If, on the other hand, you want to develop your knowledge of one of the oldest crafts in history, to get to the point that you can conceive, design, draft, and build (oh, yeah -- and finish!) one -- or a hundred -- quality works in wood, then this is well worth the annual subscription.

A Total Winner
Over the years I have watched this magazine go from good to great. I can't wait for the next issue. If your a serious about learning woodworking, then this is the magazine for you! Each issue is full of great articles and valuable information. You will also enjoy seeing some of the reader's work. Very inspiring!

Getting better and broadening its audience
FWW is the standard for WWing magazines. It has gotten much better in including more tips, tricks, and tutorials for those WWers who are more hobbyist level, I would say that is very welcome. Each issue has at least an item or two I would like to do, or implement, or learn....they have greatly improved the drawings and article support information (no full-sized plans if you like that sort of thing)

If I had only one WWing mag, i would select this one, a few years ago i would not have.

if you are a mid level WWer, you will expand your abilities with this mag and be inpsired to do greater/more difficult techniques and pieces....price is a little steep compared to other mags, but you will find yourself keeping these, because something you read may not be used today, but next year you will want to read the article again.

I really like that the major articles can be read on the binding when the magazine is sitting on your shelf...like national geographic.

It isn't a snob magazine... it's FINE woodworking!
This is one of the best woodworking magazines out there with great articles on all subjects. Very inspiring. Look, if you just want to make a few toys and furniture made out of construction grade 2x4, which there is nothing wrong with, look elsewhere. I personally believe the reviewer that called this magazine a snob magazine doesn't even truely woodwork but maybe once a year if that. I haven't meet a woodworker yet that doesn't desire to rise to the level of the projects in Fine Woodworking. Even if you aren't that good you should still read it. Read it, apply it, and you will get better! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wood-Simply the Best
I have been a woodworker for over 20 years and I believe that "WOOD" is the best woodworker's magazine on the market. They always give the woodworker a load of helpful tips, including: jigs, finishes, tools and advice from other readers. I find the section on solutions to reader problems interesting and informative. The tool reviews are very helpful when shopping for the best value and features for your dollar. The plans and projects are written clearly and full of helpful hints. If you are a novice or seasoned woodworker, and only buy one magazine, "WOOD" is the one for you.

Informative Magazine
I dable a little in woodworking, but am gone alot and unable to sit down and work on them. The way the magazine lays out different projects step-by-step helps alot. The reviews are very informative. Overall a good magazine in my book. ... Read more

Abstract

Feature articles, tips, woodworking basics, special techniques, projects and product reviews aimed at the home woodworker.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

A balanced approach to woodworking - tools, techniques, proj
Woodworkers Journal has attracted some of my favorite woodworking experts from the other magazines. Michael Dresdner, Ellis Wallentine, Shondor Nagaslaski are all great tool and woodworking experts and give me the information that I need to advance my skills and keep working in the shop interesting. I can hardly wait for the next issue to arrive. It will have shop tips, jigs, finishing tips and projects. No other magazine has this well rounded approach to woodworking.

Advanced work
I subscribe to several woodworking magazines and have subscribed to Woodworkers Journal since 1990. Each magazine has a character of it's own with a woodworking level reflected in the complexity of the projects it presents. This magazine is a bit more complex than, say Wood magazine. It should be understood that some style and esthetics are usually compromised when a project is simplified. I have one of Woodworking Journal's projects in my living room. It is perhaps the most beautiful piece I have ever made. If you have become an advanced amature (sp?) this magazine will give you projects that you will take pride in making and showing to others. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

One of the Best
This magazine surprises me. It looks like just another mass media pulp magazine, but it's really solid on the inside. These guys actually go to the shop and do woodworking. They are enthusiastic, thorough, honest, and funny. The articles seem to aim toward the moderately experienced amateur, but there's plenty of stuff for beginners. And the price can't be beat. This and Fine Woodworking are my favorites - put them together and you have everything you need.

Good mag for the regular joe Woodworker
This magazine does well for the regular joe woodworker geared to a garage shop or small separate shop (less towards a pro or highend furniture maker, but plenty of tutorials to help get you there.)...nice to have tips and tricks that i would actually use, and a decent companion website.

four stars only because they need to do more of what they do best and drop the tool issue and replace with a regular issue.

as with all wwing mags it is only 6-7 issues per year.

Great Magazine!
I look forward to every issue. The projects are top notch. I have subscribed to several woodworking magazines. Popular Woodworking is one of the best.

Mediocre
This magazine tries hard, but its quality is perhaps the lowest in the woodworking magazine field. Photos not lighted well, illustrations lacking in detail, and lots of rambling text pretty much sums it up. The annual tool issue is a wasted issue IMHO.

Popular & Practical Woodworking
While I appreciate tool reviews and tips and techniques for woodworking, what I like most in a woodworking magazine are projects which I find interesting and attractive. I have found Popular Woodworking to be the woodworking magazine that meets my expectations in this area.

Yes, there are tool reviews, which are particularly useful when considering the purchase of a new tool (with prices these days, we need all the help we can get) and there are plenty tips and techniques.

But I do enjoy the projects the most. Don't get me wrong, not every issue has a project I want to tackle (thank goodness, or I wouldn't get anything else done), but I will usually find something that I want to make or that illustrates a method of work which will help me with other woodworking projects. Also, the projects are not just limited to pieces of "fine" furniture, they also include things like functional outdoor woodworking and practical furniture.

This is one of only two woodworking magazines to which I regularly subscribe. If you like woodworking projects, you may like this magazine. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Making Things Better
There is no lack of woodworking magazines for the budding (or advanced) craftsman. Each has a particular audience for its contents. For someone looking for the right magazines to subscribe to this can be a confusing process. Especially when the potential reader isn't precisely sure what they want themselves.

Workbench Magazine is, as the subtitle indicates, concerned with 'woodworking to improve your home.' The implication that the focus is on carpentry and basic cabinetry rather than complex design and joinery is correct. But don't make the mistake of thinking that that means that the projects and articles offered are in any way simple or humdrum. Recent features include a complex swing out pantry, mobile garage organizers and a simple, but very nicely made garden storage bench.

Technical articles tend to center on hand tools, finishing, and basic techniques, but don't be surprise when you discover that this also includes making a panel-raising router table and a cabinet door project using the same. Or an in depth report of a joinery machine. The focus is not on the tools though, but on what might be done with them.

Regular Departments include questions & answers, tips & techniques, tools & equipment, and craftsmanship. There are no surprises here, but Workbench is clearly aimed at the competent craftsperson that is interested in home improvement and doesn't mind an undertaking that is a bit of a stretch. One who isn't in the mood to spend a fortune on sawdust makers either. Solid practical writing marks all the articles.

Really it should get 4 1/2 stars...
I regularly read all of the major woodworking magazines and this one has begun to grow on me quite a bit. Granted, for the subject matter it is not as highbrow as Fine Woodworking or Fine Homebuilding, nor is it as simple and practical as something like Family Handyman.

What this magazine IS is an attempt to provide a balance between the various interests of us homeowner-woodworkers, whether we happen to be weekend warrior newbies or knowledgable home improvement veterans. Simply put, most woodworkers are not only passionate about building woodworking projects but also about improving our homes. I applaud this magazine for doing a good job of "bridging" this span of interest.

Now for the nitty-gritty. I find the writing in Workbench to be very good, the photography and illustrations are clear, the shop tips submitted by fellow readers are always a highlight, and by including projects for the home and yard right alongside finer furniture projects, there is always something in every issue for nearly every interest. Also, I don't care who you are or how long you have been doing this stuff, there are always new/more tools to consider and the quality tool reviews found in Workbench are always welcome!

Ignore the naysayers and pick up a copy of this one to see for yourself. I highly recommend it!

Beginers Only
This overpriced magazine is for the weekend warriors who would like to start a new hobby. There is nothing wrong with this, we all started somewhere. However, one can only stand for so much of new tool ratings and how to build the same old challege-less pieces of furniture. Please don't waste your money. Try Fine Woodworking, woodworking, or even Popular woodworking. You will be greatful you did, and will be on the road to becoming an expert weekend warriors.

Excellent Home Improvement Magazine
I've been very satisfied with Workbench Magazine. It has project plans, ideas, and tips for the home, workshop, and even the yard. From my personal dealings with their customer support department, the rest of the magazine world has a lot to learn about taking care of customers. If I could have only one home improvement magazine, Workbench would be my first choice. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great for ideas
I looked over most of the wood working magazines and this one seemed to have the most hands on information. If you get just one wood working magazine this is the one to get.

There is usually one large project and several other smaller projects in each issue. The also do some of the best tool reviews of any magazine.

Not much for the money
The material in this magazine is very spread out with lots of white space. The projects are few, and the illustrations lack detail. The annual tool issue is a waste. Big pictures, little meat sums up this magazine.

Outstanding Resource for All Woodworkers!
I have subscribed to American Woodworker for many years, (I remember when it was only in black & white), and it has proven time and again to be full of useful tips, jigs and projects for home and shop. I have built a number of projects from its pages and corresponded with the editors and writers on occasion. They are a great bunch of woodworkers with a quality product.

The projects are mostly furniture and cabinetry, using a variety of styles and woodworking methods. They are clearly illustrated with explanations of techniques required to achieve superior results. The shop jigs include not only plans, but how to use the completed item to your best advantage.

They also test and evaluate tools on a regular basis and publish a "Tool Buyer's Guide" each year that is great. I find that complements the user reviews here at Amazon when I'm making my choices. There are also lots of ads for hard-to-find items each month.

Whether you are a professional or just a serious hobbyist, you will look forward to each issue and keep them archived for future reference, as I do.

Great collection of knowledge.
This publication covers a wide range of projects, from the more industrial to very intensive hand-work. You'll lurn to build cabinets, turn crazy lathe work, and build the hand tools like your grandfather used. It provides great photos and illustrations and detailed descriptions. Top notch stuff. ... Read more