What are the formats of the 2 mags. I’m getting Woodwmith and just picked up a copy of Shopnotes.
How would you compare them to each other?
What are the formats of the 2 mags. I’m getting Woodwmith and just picked up a copy of Shopnotes.
How would you compare them to each other?
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Replies
I have not gotten either in a couple of years.
But at that time they have where done similarly, but had different focuses.
Woodsmith is focused on making wooden products (furniture).
Shopnotes is about shop technics and making jigs and equipment.
They're both produced by the same company. As Bill H said, Woodsmith is mostly furniture technique, but not quite at the level of Fine Woodworking. Seems to be mostly Craftsman-Shaker-Early American stuff, simple lines and simple construction. Shopnotes is tools, fixtures, jigs for the shop, also some shop-made tools and even shop-made machinery. There is some overlap but not much. I get both magazines and I much prefer Shopnotes.
Thank You for the info.
I got both for years, dropped Shopnotes first because it was mostly fixtures and tchniques. Finally dropped Woodsmith after 12-13 yrs. You're right, it's not the same quality as FWW, but they walk you through every step of building something, and some of the projects are very nice: dressers, cabinets, etc. For someone who needs a little help figuring out what part to cut first, or someone just starting out, it is a very good resource.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Thank you for info.
I'll second what the others said for comparison. I enjoy the two because of no advertising. I enjoy the fact that I can get info about topics that I enjoy with the ads. Worth it to me. I've subscribed to both from practically their beginning.
The ads in FHB and FWW are good to get my attention on some new items, but can be a bit overdone. Taunton must be doing well as we pay a premium and they still load up on the ads. My choice to buy or not, based upon my budget. Being a hobbyist and DIYer the majority are usually distracting and I tend to "tune out" as one does with TV ads.
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...... :0)
Edited 10/23/2006 12:24 pm by oldbeachbum
Jimmy,
At the top of this page you will see a green box labled "Other Discussions".
If you haven't already done this, click on KNOTS. A woodworkers forum set up the same as this one. If you visit the "Tavern" here ask for "Cafe" access there.
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...... :0)
Thank You
As other have said, Woodsmith is furniture oriented and ShopNotes is ...well... shop oriented. Both are published by August Home.
I have subscribed to both and prefer Shopnotes. Woodsmith I buy when they have a specific article I am interested in ( I do that with FWW and other mags as well )
I like the no ads aspect. For those who have concerns about a magazines impartiality in reviews, this eliminates that issue.
The plans are pretty well detailed for each project in both. Woodsmith TENDS to do mostly period, shaker, and arts & crafts ( craftsman, prairie.. whatever you want to call that style) style projects.
Shopnotes has shop furniture and storage, jigs, shop built machines and tools and such. I admit to being a jigaholic and love designing, reading and building them.
" There'll be no living with her now" - Captain Jack Sparrow
Thank you for the info
A couple of years ago, probably 8-10, there was a letter to the editor in FWW from someone complaining about lack of detail in the furniture articles. The writer was asking for a lot more detail, like joinery details and assembly sequwence and lots of stuff. I wrote an answer back saying that FWW was doing aproper job by showing the overall design and some highlights, and maybe the writer should subscribe to Woodsmith becasue of those exact details. Boy did I get blasted. People said that I was an elitiest and snobbish and all kinds of stuff. Pizzed me off. And to make it worse, they reprinted the letters in the 25th anniversary issue, in the best & worst section.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt