Editor looking for feedback on his reworked and reenergized Woodcraft Magazine

Jim

I’ve got all of the early magazines. But haven’t picked up one reciently. I’ll try and make a review after getting a current issue.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Jim,
I’ll take a look. I have sat the fence for some time about subscribing. I need another magazine, as I eat through another well known bi-monthly magazine in a week or so. What I am looking for is a source for information that will take my craft to a higher level, not another hobbyist rag that caters to weekend warriors alone. It sounds like you have breathed new life into the magazine, with many good ideas and a solidly thought-out gameplan.

As a LumberJock, have you considered advertising here to help get the word out? Looks like there is a spot
right over there >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Hi Jim,

• Design ideas from professional designer/builders.
• Construction techniques. I’m not talking about how to cut dovetails here, I’m talking about how to construct “things” like tables or case goods or boxes . . .
• Honest tool reviews.
• Clever jig construction
• Processes to be more efficient

• How to’s on extremely common joinery techniques (how many ways can there possibly be to cut dovetails or tenons)
• How to’s on extremely common tool usage.
• Plans that don’t challenge my ability. (I know that’s a hard one).

Good luck. I’ll try to pick up a copy for my flight to Spokane tomorrow.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

I had a subscription a couple years back and just let it run out because it seemed at that time that every other page was advertising of some sort . Haven’t bothered to pick up another issue to even look at one since. I subscribed to Wood magazine and I really enjoy it as well as Woodworking Magazine which has NO ads in it at all . Maybe you could send out a copy to former subscribers and say “LOOK AT US NOW ”....If your mag has improved that much , it might just bring back some “old” customers….....Thank you for asking : )

-- Dusty56@comcast.net

I’d like to see a magazine similar to WOODSMITH, with no advertising.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I’m in league with Scott.

But one thing that I think would be nice would be to separate the projects by skill level within the magazine. (“getting started”, “moving along”, “doing nicely” and “WOW you’re good!”). It seems to me that some of the other magazines forget that not everyone picks up the magazine with the same skill set (with the exception I think of FWW – which is more than obviously for the “WOW you’re good” set).

For example—a “getting started” person needs to know how to make a good butt joint. But a “WOW you’re good” person would be insulted to tell them how to make a butt joint.

Good luck with the magazine.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

With the realization that ads are where the money comes from, I agree with Dick. I don’t read the ads at all. All the knowledge about products comes from this web site from people who have actually used the product. No hype. Like Betsy’s view also.

-- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first.

This is and interesting thread for me as I just read last week that more that 70% of woodworkers trust the comments of strangers on the wood forums over the ratings from magazines.

Magazines have put themselves in the unenviable position of being “shills” for their advertisers by virtue of bad advertising standards where the advertiser calls their shots on what is printed and how.

We subscribers did not create this unholy union but, by and large, we are rejecting it for a more subjective take on woodworking.

When a product from the magazine industry comes out with a detailed episode for how to build something down to the last tool and technique I think I will buy it even if it costs me 12 -20 bucks for the issue.

Getting me subscribe to a series of products as yet unannounced could be quite an effort however.

Advertising is good.
I just think it should not determine the outcome or events of a news magazine article.

Ignore me at your peril.

cheers
Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Jim,
I have to agree with Bob #2. I have a subscription to a woodworking magazine, your previous endevour, and have been somewhat disappointed with the past several issues. I know advertising is a big money issue for magazines, but there is such a thing as too many advertisements.

Betsy may be on to something with plans for differnt skill levels.

I will pick up a copy of your newest endevor and give it a view.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

I went to the website and checked it out. Liked what I saw and clicked the subscribe button. To my amazement, Woodcraft wanted $6.99 shipping for the subscription. As I said in an e-mail to the person who started this thread, I was born on a Sunday but it wasn’t today!!

PS: This goes along with not paying Woodcraft $9.99 shipping for a $50 item. Ridiculous!!!

-- Geoff, Lillington, NC

I would love to see a better magazine with in depth articles instead of fluff and tool reviews.

-- making sawdust....

I have been a subscriber since the first issue. I liked the magazine then, I like it now. As far as advertising goes, except for Woodsmith and ShopNotes, it seems every magazine has about the same amount.

The new “improved” Woodcraft has more detailed projects and does list a lot of tips. I miss the projects done by the “average” guy, however. I have really never been impressed with Scott Phillips.

Lew

with the age of the internet upon us,print is dead.

-- Roper - master of sawdust-

I’ll look forward to your next issue I’m subscribed until 12/09. I agree with what people have said about the advertising and tool reviews being controlled by the advertisers. I am going to be thinning out my WW magazine subscriptions as they expire it is getting to be to much with some magazines costing $35 a year. I am keeping records of the articles I find useful each month in each magazine and will use those figures to dictate future renewals.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

Some of us read all the magazines, some only subscribe to a few. Ad revenue tends to dictate the size of any publication, and as a 13 year veteran of newspapers I tend to almost completely ignore right hand pages while I’m flipping through issues ;)

I subscribed to several over the years, thinking if I liked an issue enough to buy it more than once, then a subscription was inevitably cheaper. however this led to a house full of magazines, many of which containing loads of redundant information. when “thinning the archives” I found myself keeping plenty for project plans I’m likely to make (not dated looking) and meet my current skill set, as well as the perennial FWW that we all aspire to.

I used to read everything that hit the stands at the B&N, so now I’m anxious to see the new woodcraft.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

I disagree with Roper. I love the internet as much as anyone and have cancelled all my magazine subscriptions, but lately I’ve been trying to scrounge up woodworking magazines wherever I can.

For me, I have trouble with the cost. I’m surprised that a magazine with 6 issues a year costs so much money, despite the numebr of adds. I know that there are only so many companies advertising in the magainzes, so maybe people can’t charge as much, but still.
Just my opinion.

save the trees for furniture, not magazines and newspapers.

-- Roper - master of sawdust-

Well, I’ll play devils advocate. Apparently I’m fairly good at irritating people. Here is a free association…..not criticism or even answers…just things that might make something click in yer head.

Your description sounds like a couple dozen other mags. projects, shops, etc. I can pick 20 mags off the shelf and they will have 80% of what I saw in your description.

We all (as in my group) work in certain ways. I’m not very interested in how some one makes windsor chairs in a shop he put in his bedroom closet. Doesn’t apply to me. One guy does veneer one way….we do it our way ‘cause it works for us.

New products are always good if they can save me money or time. BUt, I’m not interested in another planer, or biscuit joiner or whatever unless there’s something really different about it.

Tool reviews. I ask my buddy about how he likes his new tool. I try it. I either like it or don’t. He tells me whether it works for him or not. It’s about how it feels in my hand, not how it feels in the other guys hand.

If a mag is not at my level I’m wasting my money by getting a bunch of info on the other levels. i.e. a high end guy will waste 2/3’s of his money getting beginner and intermediate level stuff. How many times do I see how to build a deck. It’s nice to have something to push you higher. But the more advanced a reader is the less he gets for the money.

I looked at the site. The cover looked like 50 other mags I see on the stands. Honestly, I’ve seen dozens of articles about barrister bookcases.

Not trying to be mean or rude. Just flash first thoughts and what strikes me without editing. As a focus group, I think it’s more informative.

I couldn’t tell you what would make a mag unique above the others already out there. I also wouldn’t mind the challenge you’re facing. I’m guessing (if you’re anything like me) you’re probably pretty excited about it. I think it will be well worth it and wish you all the best.

-- arborial reconfiguration specialist

I have several subscriptions already and with a couple I have been in a way disappointed with the last few issues to the number of ads and as stated above redundant information or similar projects techniques.

As far as Woodcraft magazine goes, I have looked at a couple of issues within the last 8 months. Simply because a project on the cover caught my attention, so I bought the magazine. From what I saw it looks ok, but I did not see much different that really makes me want another subscription. Just my 2 cents.

Jim,

The next time I’m in the Reno Woodcraft, Ill pick one up. To be honest, I’ve never opened one up. I’ve been a subscriber to Wood for about 15 years and American Woodworker for almost 30 years. I would be glad to let you know what I think. That’s why we are all here.

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke".

1. Cut the advertising. Some is OK and understandable, but too much is just too much.

2. Change the name from Woodcraft to LumberJocks and do what it is that we do here! There’s a lot of talent here and I’m sure some of these guys and gals would love to see their stuff in print!

3. Features/articles on homebuilding/design/modifications as well, would be welcome.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!