Fine Woodworking

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.


The Most Inspiration Per Board Foot   July 28, 2004
Marc Ruby™ (Warren, MI USA)
24 out of 29 found this review helpful

Taunton's Fine Woodworking has occupied the high-end niche of woodworking magazines for some time. This isn't really a matter of having the most expensive tools (although reviews of $300 shoulder planes do crop up), but instead its about attitude. The magazine is for people who don't like to settle for second best in their woodwork. So a tool has to be good before it earns a recommendation, and while price is not the major consideration, Fine Woodworking readers want their money to be well spent.

But the magazine is very much about people who are willing to built 12-coat finishes, or who are looking for the little techniques that lift their work out of the ordinary. The are looking for examples of exceptional work to expand their own cluster of ideas, and the are not afraid to experiment.

Most Fine Woodworking articles dive deep. Especially when a craftsperson takes a reader through a project of their own. These articles are exceptionally thorough covering not just the construction, but also the theory behind the pieces. This is a methods and artistry magazine, and it is hard to put it down without acquiring a new idea or approach.



Sooner or Later...   April 24, 2002
Burton Berry (Tooele, UT United States)
23 out of 23 found this review helpful

Many have heard the old Copenhagen snuff ad that stated, "Sooner or later it is Copenhagen!". Well, that is exactly how it goes with Fine Woodworking. Some say it isn't filled with enough projects and they are too difficult, some say the articles are way too technical, and even others say that the reviews are too critical. Response: Yes and no. If you don't want your tools to last a lifetime, then the reviews are too critical. If you want a project that you can be proud of your entire life and look at with pride, knowing it will become a family heirloom, then the projects are not to difficult, and after you spend 100 hours building something and another 30 to 50 hours sanding and finishing it, there aren't too few. And if you sincerely believe that ignorance is bliss, and education is the root of evil, then yes the articles are too technicle.

For anyone that wants to become the best woodworker they can, then this is the magazine for you. Many start out with other magazines, "BUT SOONER OR LATER IT IS FINE WOODWORKING"!


The BEST   June 24, 2003
J. Roy (massachusetts USA)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

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.


Five Stars on my 5th Year Renewal of FINE WOODWORKING!   February 24, 2005
Peter V. Cannice (Scottsdale, Arizona USA)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

To sort of celebrate my 5th year renewal of "Fine Woodworking" I decided to take a moment to write a concise review of what I consider to be one of the best woodworking periodicals available on the market. I enjoy woodworking and find it to be my most favorite hobby. As a result of my great interest in woodworking, I spend a few dollars a year (probably a little more than I should be spending) on 4 magazines have strong woodworking themes.

Of all the periodicals and magazines I've ever read, there is no doubt the "Fine Woodworking" is the best of all. It is superior to some very good competitors. The competition, however, just never measures up to the consistency and creativity that this magazine has to offer.

When I started at this wonderful hobby, I was a true novice. I knew nothing at all. Even though I was just beginning to learn the very basics of woodworking, having taken a couple of community college courses, a professor made a personal suggestion that I subscribe to a really good woodworking magazine-for a number of really important reasons. I'm the type of guy who wants to spend his money on the best, rather than waste money on a more affordable competitors that don't deliver the same sort of quality that I've come to expect.

So I subscribed to "Fine Woodworking" and it was one of the better decisions I've ever made-regarding a purchase of this type. The magazine is so good that I took the time to actually place them in binders so I could keep them all in great shape and also so I could reference them at anytime in the future.

I started as a total novice and started to learn great techniques with my very first issue. As time passed and as I became more and more proficient, I felt like no matter what level I was at, "Fine Woodworking" always had great information for me to learn from.

So it doesn't matter whether you're at the very beginning of this great journey into woodworking or if you're on your 200th project from ideas you picked up on from the magazine, I guarantee you that each and every issue will have something in it that will seem perfect just for you.

The articles and editorials are always fascinating and I've even connected with a number of advertisers to purchase some products at very reasonable prices. You really can't go wrong and you can cancel at anytime! (smile) But I don't think you'll cancel as "Fine Woodworking" deserves this 5 Star Rating on the advent of my 5th Year Renewal.

Happy Reading and Happy Woodworking to ALL! Thanks for taking the time to read my review. It's nice that you took the time to read some of my thoughts that I prepared to help you in making your decision.

Warm Regards to All!

Pete Cannice in Scottsdale, Arizona
Email: Horsepete@aol.com