Others say...

"Repeated Content"
If you subscribe to more than one Taunton Direct publications you will start to see some of the same content repeated. After getting both Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding I'm not suprised to see similar stories.

"Great resource "
This magazine has something for woodworkers at every level, from raw beginner to professional. The mix of articles includes side by side product comparisons, how-to pieces at different levels, tool sharpening hints, finishing materials and techniques, and photo galleries of magnificent work.

This month, the tool test covers a range of cabinet saws, roughly in the $1K-3K range. It applies the same criteria to each model, with emphasis on the precision of the machine parts - an absolute necessity for precision in the finished work. The nicely echoes another article on setting up your own machine tools, with directions for checking their accuracy for yourself.

Some articles are aimed specifically at the novice, while others clearly assume advanced skills and a well-equipped shop. Speaking as someone with low-to-mid skills, I find both useful. I'm a bit beyond some of the advice, and not ready to use other parts of it, but I like that. It gives me something to look forward to, when I'm free to get back to woodworking again. It's an enjoyable bit of wishful thinking in the mean time, but a lot more presentable than that other kind of "men's magazine".

//wiredweird

"Great for starting out, but now i'm bored"
After 6 years I'm finally letting my subscription end. Its a great magazine for starting out, but after a while the articles begin seeming to be very alike. New ideas are now a rarity in Fine Woodworking, and that was the original reason that I subscribed. There are very few technique articles and too many tool reviews. And I've become skeptical of those review articles--primarily because many, but not all, are not rigorous scientific tests and are subject to the author's preferences, yet those articles are not presented that way. Furthermore, I believe that the magazine in general has dropped considerably in quality and definitely in content over the past few years. I'd have given it 5 stars in the begining, but now its just average.

"Only subscription that lasted"
I jumped into woodworking four years ago and have had 5 woodworking magazine subscriptions over the four years. I started with Fine Woodworking and now it's all that's left. Nothing else compares.

If you think the price is too high (compared to the others) just remember: like woodworking tools, you get what you pay for.

"Five Stars on my 5th Year Renewal of FINE WOODWORKING!"
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