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Best woodworking membership site

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4K views 23 replies 22 participants last post by  mochoa 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Just looking for opinions on what membership site everyone thinks might be best. I understand this is subjective and everyone will have different answers which is fine. Just looking for opinions and reasons for those opinions. If you are a member to multiple sites please speak up and be as detailed as possible about why you think your top site is best. Thanks in advance to anyone that answers. Just a couple I know about are finewoodworking.com and thewoodwhisperguild.com.
 
#4 ·
I find myself frequenting You Tube and LJ's more then any, get all the help I need aside the fact I don't really have the time for other sites and I agree with rhett my money is better spent on magazines, supplies and tools.
 
#5 ·
I am with Blackie on this one. And the thing about YouTube is that you get to see the "bad" along with the "good" (practices) assuming you can recognize the difference. Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc searches also can be a source of information. My only warning is to carry a BIG salt shaker when digesting this free information. That said, it is much like LJs in that respect.

Hanging out for a while, in order to get to know the members/posters, is a must-do activity if you are wanting to depend on any of this "free" advice. Know your source… ;-)
 
#6 ·
FWW is a great value at $5/month for all the articles and videos. You can save/print which articles you need. As for the WW guild, I probably wouldn't join, but there's a few projects I would buy.

+1 on youtube and LJ, but I also like the woodnet forums a lot.
 
#9 ·
You mean there are other sites than this one? or Why would anyone want to go to any other site than this one?

I don't post much but being a novice and fairly new to the hobby, this to me is the better site to learn…right, wrong, or indifferent. Cheap entertainment just reading others replies.
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
+1 for Andy. I used to be a big fan of FWW, but have found it's web site a total frustration-especially for a Mac user. Besides, LJ is like getting a new issue of the best WW magazine every day. I've subscribed to various WW magazine since the 80s, but I feel like I've learned more in the past year + that I've been on LJ. I know LJ has made WW more interesting and more challenging. The talent on this site is absolutely top notch, everyone is friendly and help is only a post away. Save your money for tools.
 
#14 ·
I belong to different woodworking message boards and see many members here on those too. While a new member here have been a member of those sites for years. Yes, many recurring questions, but people come and go so always interesting. Talent and skills of people posting advice and pictures makes my day.

http://www.woodcentral.com/
http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat=
http://www.penturners.org/forum/

Like Mike said search until find those that fit for you. You do not have to join to appreciate and see what is available at a site.

Have found a few bargains shopping at vendors sponsering those sites too.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am a member of Paul Sellers' Woodworking Master Classes site ( http://woodworkingmasterclasses.com/ ). It's a great resource if you're interested in hand tool woodworking. There's a new 30+ min class every week and some pretty active forums. It costs $15/month and I definitely feel like I get instruction worth at least that much. The current project is an Arts and Crafts type coffee table. Past projects include a tool tote, dovetail boxes and caddies.
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
Between this site, youtube, and other people's blogs (Heartwood, Close Grain, David Barron come to mind right away but there are more that I watch), TV shows (Woodwright's Shop, Woodsmith Shop, Rough Cut, New Yankee), and related TV show websites, I never feel want for ideas, techniques, tips, or anything. I do subscribe to Woodsmith magazine, and I buy the occasional other WW mag off the shelf, but other than that I find I'd regret the price of admission to the sites w membership fees.
 
#17 ·
I've never been a member of any such site as you are inquiring about. But, I'm pretty impressed with Lumberjocks. There's an abundance of talent and knowledge. The people are great too, which creates a great atmosphere. I get a ton of ideas and information and "how to" articles here. I haven't had the need to find something else.
 
#18 ·
Just would like to thank everyone for all the replies and I have started looking into everyone's recommendations. Can't help trying to learn as much as I can….... it's just the intp in me. I look forward to being a member of this community and talking with everyone. Thanks again
 
#19 ·
A little off topic, but archive.org is a great resource that I use mainly for downloadable books. Most of them are free and do not break applicable copyright law. I've found about 40 books on metalworking and I've been downloading a lot on woodworking as of late. The site also offers other media aside from books. There's all sorts of things on each topic including old advertisements, catalogs, videos etc.. Many of the metalworking and woodworking books that I have include plans for projects..
 
#21 ·
I do not speak English. Because of it I cannot visit many sites in the Internet. But here, with a translator on line (and my poor knowledge), it is sufficient to learn many things. We can see wonderful things. We can learn many things. And as the companions say, little money that we have, for instruments. Thank you for a site like this.
 
#22 ·
I've been on Paul Sellers Woodworkingmasterclasses.com for a couple of weeks now and I like it a lot. Great resource if you like minimalist woodworking with hand tools.

There are so many subtle techniques you learn from watching him work. I wish I would have had this resource when I first started out. It would have cut through so much confusion for me.
 
#23 ·
I'm relatively new to woodworking and really like the FWW site. It's really cheap and provides high quality articles (that you can save and print) and videos. I use it all the time. The tablet version of the magazine is also great as it connects directly to websites of advertisers and additional online content like companion videos to the articles. I use the Wood Whisperer podcast but can't say anything about the subscription service.
 
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