Thread: Need a Magazine suggestion

Sam,

Welcome, and good luck with the learning curve.

You won't do much better than Fine Woodworking http://www.taunton.com but there are plenty of others around.

Why not go down to your nearest library, and borrow every book and magazine you can get your hands on? You have so many resources available that you'll never get bored!

Cheers,
P

Sam, the best source of info for a novice is the bulletin boards or news://rec.woodworking (although the trolls are making it less enjoyable nowadays).

Since you are in the USA I'd recommend Shop Notes and Fine Woodworking. Have a good browse through the magazine racks and find something that pleases your eye.

You could get yourself a copy of The Tablesaw Book by Kelly Mahler. Everything you need to know on setup, maintenance and use of the tablesaw.

I'm with "biting"... borrow a sheaf of books and mags from the library.... and buy a selection of mags for a couple of months before you decide on a subscription. And, in the good mags, the ads can be instructive as well as the text.... On another tack... spend time in these forum archives reading all the stuff on general woodworking and machinery going back to 1999.... There are also the manufacturers' sites - Grizzly, Delta, General.... and the tool reviews.... You're in for a fun time. I envy you.

Folks:
Thank you for your responses. You have heard the saying "There are no dumb questions", get ready for the surprise of your life. I said I was a novice in woodworking and I do mean it.

Sam

We all have to start somewhere, mate

Fine Woodwork (FWW) for ideas & dreams, Woodsmith & Shopnotes for actually making something & building skills.

As others have said: 'Get thee to a library' and go thru' all their books on woodwork. Just about anything published by Taunton (the FWW people) or Popular Wood Work (PWW) is worth reading and possibly buying a copy.

The Table Saw by Mehler is great, and as you get more gear, I also recommend the Bandsaw & the Router books in the same series.

Sam,

Welcome. have a look of the DVDs on the FWW website. they are great.

As you know, I am new to this site and new to woodworking. As a comment to ALL, I very much appreciate your friendliness, responses, and your willingness to help beginners like me.

You folks gave me some great ideas to get started. It sounds like "The Tablesaw Book by Kelly Mahler" is a must. I'm going to Barnes and Noble tomorrow and see if they carry it in stock. If so, I'll get it.

Sam

Sam,

I forgot to mention that thir DVDs now are on sales. “Mastering Your Table Saw” with Kelly Mehler is now $13.97. I have it and I think it is fantastic.

http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/061014.asp

Personally here in Australia I think Australian Woodsmith magazine is first rate. I have made loads of furnitute items based on their diagrams and info. Very few errors and if followed carefull are practically idiot proof. I have all 7 yrs of issues now they are up to no. 42. Fine woodworking I subscribe to also, but their skill level is well above mine, but I'll catch up one day. Do find too much advertising a bit annoying. I really think I have learn't the most from AWM by workingon the p

I recommend Popular Woodworking. They have a good focus on basic skills with power and hand tools. Fine Woodworking is good as well but I think you'll find PWW more usefull.

Originally Posted by silentC

You could get yourself a copy of The Tablesaw Book by Kelly Mahler. Everything you need to know on setup, maintenance and use of the tablesaw.

I wanted to let you know and took your advice. I purchased "The Table Saw Book" by Kelly Mehler and "American Woodworker - Woodworking with the Router" by Billy Hylton and Fred Matlack.

Thanks for the advice.
Sam

Hi Sam,

All the advise above are excellent. You are in the US: get a subscription to Fine Woodworking now! This is a real bargain for the inspiration, design and technique you'll get.

Also, have you considered joining a club? By Learning the right and safe way to use your saw, you'll get confidence and speed up your learning curve.

Have fun!

Gil