Woodsmith & ShopNotes

[DaveO]

I just got a free preview issue of Woodsmith magazine. I don't recall if I signed up for it or not :eusa_thin And I just sent off for a free preview of ShopNotes. Any opinions of these 2 magazines, they are the only ones I don't get with the exception of Ww'ers Journal which just expired and won't be re-newed (it sucks)
The preview issue of Woodsmith was pretty good, is that an actual issue? It had a Oak tool chest, classic bookcase and a A & C styled tile topped table as projects. ShopNotes costs about twice as much as Woodsmith, is it much better? I probably don't need to get both, but I would like to get at least one and want to determine which is the best mag. for the buck.
Thanks for y'alls opinions.
Dave

 

[toolferone]

ShopNotes is more shop related projects, and Woodsmith is more home project based. WS has jigs too. I really like them both. If I had to choose one I would choose WS, because I am always looking for project ideas.

 

[P Crews]

From what I've seen Woodsmith is more actual furniture type projects with a little bit on jigs and tips for the shop. ShopNotes is more about making shop type stuff such as jigs, router tables, benches, and IMO neat tips from subscribers on how they set up or do things in the shop. I know ShopNotes comes ever other month and I believe Woodsmith does too but they come on oppossite months. I currently subscribe to ShopNotes for ideas around the shop and the future shop but I normally end up buying Woodsmith too. I'd buy them off the shelf for a few months and then make your decision. My 2C.

Paul

 

[McRabbet]

The guys have already said it -- try them out at the newstand and then decide -- I subscribe to both of them and have always enjoyed their lack of advertising.

Rob

 

[cskipper]

We get both - good ideas in each.

 

[Terry]

Dave,

I have been a subscriber of Woodsmith ever since Moby Dick was a minnow. It was one to the first WW magazines I ever subscribed to. I still have all my Woodsmiths in binders. When ShopNotes came out I also subscribed to it. So now I have both. I have made alot of jigs from both mag's and projects from WS. I like the very detailed measurements and most are in color. Depending on what you enjoy doing, I beleive you would like the WS to start with. But I agree with the rest buy say 3 of each (ShopNotes is published Jan, March, May, July Sept, Nov). (Woodsmith is published Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec.). That would give you an equal choice of which is more informative for what you enjoy doing.
Terry:eusa_thin

 

[Ray Martin]

I just got the preview issue of Woodsmith too. SWMBO brought the mail in and was looking at it while I was in the home office. When I went down to see if I had received anything in the mail, she had already gone thru the magazine... which really surprised me. She pointed out the bookcase project and said that it would look good in our son's room.

First time she ever looked at a woodworking magazine of any kind and she sees a project she likes... don't you just hate it when someone tells you to go do some woodworking? (I don't even have to lobby for a trip to the lumber yard on this one)

Ray

 

[Terry]

I just got the preview issue of Woodsmith too. SWMBO brought the mail in and was looking at it while I was in the home office. When I went down to see if I had received anything in the mail, she had already gone thru the magazine... which really surprised me. She pointed out the bookcase project and said that it would look good in our son's room.

First time she ever looked at a woodworking magazine of any kind and she sees a project she likes... don't you just hate it when someone tells you to go do some woodworking? (I don't even have to lobby for a trip to the lumber yard on this one)

Ray

I know where you are coming from! My wife has started looking through the WW magazines before I get home and picking out projects she likes. I have told her that all the projects she has shown me to build that she would be a WOOD WIDOW! So now I have started calling her the THE WOOD WIDOW!:rose: But thankful she has interest in the magazines, it makes it easier when I tell her I need something for the shop! Terry:5slick:

 

[Ray Martin]

Terry,

No complaints here... when she tells me to do some woodworking, it's like when the boss tells me I have to get a pay raise.

Ray

 

[Terry]

Terry,

No complaints here... when she tells me to do some woodworking, it's like when the boss tells me I have to get a pay raise.

Ray

What I have invested in WW this year,:eusa_sile THE WOOD WIDOW :crybaby2: can look at all my WW magazines, past and present. But I know pay back is going to cost me! :eusa_doh: Terry:eusa_pray

 

[WoodWrangler]

Woodsmith and Shopnotes are my two favorite magazines, probably with Wood magazine a close third. The great thing about the first two is accurate plans and no advertisements!

As someone else mentioned, Woodsmith is "projects" while ShopNotes is "jigs and such". Back in the day they were the same magazine, however in recent years they were broken apart and additional material added to each.

If you are serious about woodworking, I can't imagine you wouldn't want to have both. Forgo one dinner out this year and you can afford both magazines and have a year of enjoyment. That's a dang good tradeoff in my book. :-D

 

[Travis Porter]

I would definitely get Woodsmith. I go on and off of subscribing to Shopnotes. I will get tired of it, then start seeing stuff I like and get a new subscription.

 

[sapwood]

Hmm, I got Woodsmith preview copy today, too
And I have no idea what "sign-up" initiated it :lol:

Shop Notes is great for amateurs like myself, but I can see how it could get a little jaded. However, even I should be submitting "Quick Tips" for Woodsmith.

Page 7: "So I bought a granite reference plate used by machinists. It's inexpensive and heavy so it won't get pushed around from the sharpening action." :rbedface:

Sapwood

 

[hpetty]

.... with the exception of Ww'ers Journal which just expired and won't be re-newed (it sucks)

Dave

Is it just me or has the quality of WWJ gone down hill recently? I first subscribed to the magazine about 20 years ago when it came out in newspaper print. I've kept my subscription up off and on over the years but it seems to be a little high on advertising and vendor publicity and a little low on content recently.... just my $0.02 worth

 

[Travis Porter]

I'm with you. It seems more like an advertisement for buying stuff from Rockler to build projects with.

 

[DaveO]

Ditto on WWJ, that's why I am not going to re-new my subscription.
Sapwood, I thought the trial issue of Woodsmith was rather basic, but the tip you quoted takes the cake :lol: :lol:

Dave

 

[Splinter]

I also got the free prview issue of Woodsmith yesterday. I have subscribed to Shopnotes for over 3 years. And have them all in 3 ring binders over the commode in my shop for handy review. :lol: :lol: I liked what I saw in Woodsmith but not sure I will subscribe yet. I don't need any more furniture for the house but as others have stated Shopnotes has lots of useful jigs etc. Sure is nice not have to wade through all the ads to read the articles.

 

[Ken Weaver]

I would definitely get Woodsmith. I go on and off of subscribing to Shopnotes. I will get tired of it, then start seeing stuff I like and get a new subscription.

I'm with Travis. Kept WS but let SN expire, seemed to get repetitive. It does have good projects tho, I did my hardware cabinet from their plan.

 

[quid_non]

Hi All - New Guy Here!
I also got my "free issue" of Woodsmith and liked what I saw. Am I the only old fart that remembers when it was common for magazines to come monthly (for the same price...)?

FYI... an e-issue of the freebie is available
http://www.woodsmith.com/issues/sample/

Best
quid_non

 

[bdjessup]

I have found that I do like to read both and I subscribe to both
for now but, only 1 in 4 do I make something from them so I go
to the book store at the mall in Concord twice a month and look at
all of them and just buy the ones that have a project I want to build.
That way I get to look at all of them each month without buying them.

Brian