Popular Mechanics (1-year)

In each issue your likely to find tips on how to change and fix a flat tire on your car, plans on how to build wood furniture, reviews on new cars, and reports on upcoming technology. The articles are always interesting and provide enough information to let you do a little more digging if the subject matter sparks your interest. Jay Leno even writes an automotive section that is always enjoyable to read.

The product reviews are informative and have helped me with numerous purchases ranging from new cars, snow blowers, power tools, dirt bikes and the like. I would recommend this magazine to anyone interested in any of the mentioned subjects but can't afford 40 different subscriptions to cover them all.


Covers all the bases   January 16, 2002
D. Desborough
37 out of 39 found this review helpful

For me, this magazine has it all: technology, automotive, aviation, boats, home repair, and much more. It gives a great overview of what is happening in many industries and hobbies. I have generally read the entire issue two days after I have received it, and I don't have a lot of free time for reading.

One of the best aspects of this magazine is that is does not take itself too seriously. It does a great job creating articles that are informative and detailed, but leaves room for fun and offbeat topics too.

Last year Popular Mechanics readers got to follow a PM sponsored NASCAR car. This year they have switched to a top fuel dragster. These articles give you a good behind the sense look at what it takes to race these impressive vehicles.

If racing is not your style, checkout the woodworking section where a myriad of woodworking projects are presented. Don't forget their annual woodworkers special with a whole host of plans in a single issue.

Got a leaky water heater? Check the home repair section. Car on the fritz? Check the auto repair section. Wondering what is new in the military? Watch for the frequent special articles on the Special Forces and their hardware. This magazine has a great deal to offer!

For an all around look at technology and all things mechanical, you can't beat Popular Mechanics!


Too many hand gun ads for me...   December 10, 2003
27 out of 132 found this review helpful

I received a subscription for Christmas last year as it seemed like a pretty broad based magazine with lots of good articles on a variety of topics. And that is absolutely true - however, I ultimately cancelled due to the number of advertisements for hand guns. Call me what you will (and yes, I'm from that bastion of liberalism, Massachusetts) but I could not support a periodical that advertises these items. Just my own personal feelings on this matter.


So So, not Great a bit thin   September 26, 2005
K. Andersen (Tacoma, WA)
15 out of 25 found this review helpful

This might be a good magazine to get your Jr. High son or grandson. It has lots of interesting articles. I really enjoyed it as a kid.
It takes a hard slant to the right on ocasion. There are also just a few too many times where what is featured in their tech review articles happen to be featured prominantly in the magazine's ads. Its hard to tell the ads from the articles at times. Its also just not that well written. The articles themselves are a bit thin.
One article a while back mentioned a "bridge of glass" being built in Tacoma. (this was a follow-on to an earlier article on bridge technology and exotic materials) If you go there, its a bridge to a glass museum, but is made of ordinary reinforced concrete. A little editorial fact checking never hurts.


The Editor is a Patriot   September 12, 2006
David L. Deloney (Webster, Texas United States)
12 out of 19 found this review helpful

Popular Mechanics is a great magazine. I've read it, off and on for years, but had just about forgotten about it. About a year ago a co-worker had a copy and in it the Editor wrote an open letter to the readers, it seems that someone was offended because he had ads for handguns in the magazine.
I was so impressed with his backbone to stand up against the politically correct crowd, that I subscribed to the magazine.

In the June 2004 edition of Popular Mechanics Mr. Oldham addressed the issue:
As the editor, yes, I decide what will run and what will not. And yes, I enjoy the shooting sports and am a member of the National Rifle Association. I believe that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees me, an individual, the right to own a firearm. Like most of the readers of Popular Mechanics I am generally a law-abiding citizen, have served in the armed forces of this country and am not a "gun nut". From letters I received, I think I'm pretty much in step with the majority of our readers. Knowing that I have the support of most of you reading this, I can tell you categorically that no amount of irate letters or whining or protesting will scare me into forcing gun articles out of these pages. It's part of our heritage. It's part of our editorial mission.
And that's why we print articles on firearms. Let the letters begin. Till next time.