Woodworker's Journal

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.

There are two good ways to tell what audience at which a woodworking magazine is aimed. The first is the type of advertising, and the second is how much skill do the projects expect you to have. It is pretty clear right away that Woodworker's journal server home woodworkers who are already of moderate skill. The advertised 'big toys' run in the 500 to 1500 dollar range, although there are a couple of high end combination machines in the adds as well.

Articles expect you to know how to use the tools of the trade but not sure about the 'best' way to do something. A recent issue makes a study of an intarsia backed high chair with some interesting joinery, and instructions for making a genuinely exotic angle jig for a table saw. Writing is solid and reasonably illustrated, but they devote little space to what you should already know, which can make these projects a stretch for a tyro.

The Magazine is very tool oriented. There isn't a lot of space devoted to hand tools or history. Expect articles comparing nail guns and helping you decide whether stationary or bench top equipment is right for you. However, traditionally manual tasks like finishing also receive their due. I found the Woodworker's Journal suited me quite well, and I expect to continue reading it.

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As a library administrator I get to see and read an awful lot of woodworking books and magazines. I have been a personal subscriber to Woodworker's Journal for a year now, and an off and on reader of the magazine for about 5 years. In that time I have grown to appreciate this as a very good woodworking magazine. Is it my favorite? No, but I still like it well enough to recommend it to others. I also regularly read Fine Woodworking, Workbench, Wood, Popular Woodworking, etc. and like all of those, this magazine has its strengths. I find that WJ is very into power tools, tool reviews (theirs are among my favorites), and shop projects. Having said all of that, I also must confess that the best piece of furniture I ever built came from a plan in WJ magazine (an arts & crafts style wine storage table), so don't pigeon-hole it too much.

Try it for a year and I bet you won't be sorry!

Read Best Reviews of Woodworker's Journal Here

I felt compelled to write a short note after receiving a renewal notification too early.

I first ordered the Journal in June 05, I received a renewal that I thought was in order in March 06, now I'm getting another one in Dec 06.

It seems Amazon is engaging in some behavior that takes several months of subscription time away from consumers who order through them. Be careful

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Woodworkers Journal has been around a long time (40 years maybe?). Its because it is such a well written, well rounded magazine. Its my go to magazine for projects (which I have built many). The issue size is good, the writing top-notch, and projects galore. Good for the price, good for the projects, good for the write-ups. Their reviews of tools are usually spot on. I just find this and Fine Woodworking the best of the bunch.

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