Customer Reviews

Wood (1-year)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wood Magazine is been around for a good 20 years now. It is a every other month magazine published by Good Housekeeping (I think it still is). Always a good mix of product reviews, 5-6 projects none harder than advanced, and lots of how-to's. Magazines are thick with a lot of information in each issue.
Projects can be part of a family, say a mission table, chairs, and china cupboard spread over 2-3 issues. Extremely precise directions, layouts and materials lists for projects and an insert for patterns is usually included. Product reviews include a wide range of manufacturers, but usually skip the high end brands and go for lower end.
Always tons of tips and how-tos in every issue. They do expect you to have access to the usual assortment of large woodworking tools like table saw, band saw, or scroll saw. Some nice turning and carving projects.
Why only 4 stars? Bi-monthly makes the subscription a little pricey and I do not usually make any of their projects like I do with Woodworkers Journal (my number 1 choice).

I have subscribed to several woodworking magazines over the years and have found WOOD to be the least informative of the group. I am usually excited when the woodworking magazines arrive in the mail and read them several times over. The only one that tends to get discarded after a single read through is WOOD. I find the quality of writing to be marginal and the projects to be less desirable to build. They have a good mix of projects (ranging in skill level and time to build) which is good, but they dont motivate me to go out and build them. I prefer Woodsmith and Popular Woodworking.

Woodworking is a popular hobby and those who partake in this activity often turn to printed resources for new ideas, tips, etc. Wood Magazine is one publication designed to help woodworkers in several ways. It offers new techniques, new tools, and new projects for the budding or experienced woodworker who is seeking out ways to improve/develop their woodworking talents. Wood Magazine wants its readers to be educated and curious, and it offers articles that satisfy both desires.

Wood Magazine's articles span a wide range, with some that cover basic tasks like cutting wood at an angle to more complicated tasks like carving unique shapes and patterns. One fact that readers will notice immediately is that Wood Magazine's articles are divided up so that woodworkers at all levels- from novice to expert- will find something to which they can relate. The articles tend to lean slightly toward the beginner to intermediate level, but there are certainly enough advanced articles in each issue to keep all woodworkers busy and satisfied.

The articles in Wood Magazine are generally short, and they are often written in a step by step format, with illustrations and measurements (where applicable) to remove any guesswork from the process. These visual aspects and step/bulleted format make the magazine seem like a reference guide at times, but they are very useful for someone who wants to build one of the items and doesn't want to take any chances.

If there is anything unattractive about Wood Magazine, it would have to be the high price. The cover price is high and there is little discount incentive when you sign up for a subscription. Also, this magazine is published only seven times per year. This latter fact could frustrate some woodworkers who want new and fresh ideas on a more frequent basis.

Aside from the cost, however, Wood Magazine is a good magazine for woodworkers at all levels. The tips and tricks are useful, the education valuable, and the projects interesting and/or practical. It makes a good magazine for the occasional or serious woodworker who wants to develop one's skill and/or increase one's interest in the art of making things from wood. A little more length to the magazine and a lower price would be nice, but it is still a good magazine overall.

I am really happy with this book but feel they have slipped a bit in the last 15 years

I really look forward to this magazine. They have given me lots of ideas for projects to build. The plans that they give you are very easy to follow with nice clear pictures. Some of the projects are kind of lame. And some of the articles they have seem to be repeats, just changed up a little. Overall though I really enjoy looking through it. I just wish it came more often.

I thought this would be a bunch of tool ads with pictures of other people's projects mixed in -- but I was surprised to find plans, tips, and reviews that were very readable and fun. I plan to get the DVDs as soon as I can afford it.

I started wood working about 5 years ago. This magazine is my main instruction. Besides each mag having great articles, it gives me membership to what I think is the best woodworking site on the net. Plenty of everything. I do have membership in Fine Woodworkings website but I think the mag is too expensive. As a matter of fact I am about to renew my Wood mag subscription right now. They have a great deal, two years for $28 dollars for renewals.
Money well spent.

My husband just loves this Wood Magazine and also ask me if I have seen his new one if he thinks it's been too long since he received his last issue. We have tired other types of woodworking magazines and have canceled his subscriptions to them all except for Wood, the only one we renew year after year!

My husband looks forward to getting this in the mail. He loves this magazine. It is very detailed and informative. He can do lots of different projects without getting burnt out. If you like woodworking, then you should be getting this magazine.

My husband was a little disappointed in this magazine. Lots of ads and a few "crafty" type projects. He was looking for something with more technical information about woodworking. I am sure it is a good magazine, just not what he was looking for. I would suggest looking one over in the store before subscribing to make sure it is what you want.