ShopNotes

[final_t]

It's still my favorite.

Actually, the online content was $59 for mag subscribers, but they recently lowered it to $14.95. They are in the process of crediting those like me who paid the initial higher price.

I'll have to give it a second look then. When they initally announced it the $80 was it, so I never went back. Thanks for the update!

[Tom Miller]

Actually, the online content was $59 for mag subscribers, but they recently lowered it to $14.95.

$59 was insane! $14.95 is pretty retarded too, when you think of it; seems like it should be included with your mag subscription. But, I haven't seen what you get for your money, so I know not of what I speak. (Hmmm, maybe that should be my sig. line.)

Regards,
Tom
Added: Oh, I suppose I could comment on the original subject. I've been a Shopnotes/Woodsmith subscriber for ~1yr. I still like Shopnotes; not for the projects themselves, but learning techniques for the projects. I'm debating a FWW subscription, but it's a little hit and miss wrt my personal interests.

[LarryG]

Speaking of FWW ...

I'm one of many who took advantage of the Lowe's/Irwin promotion for a free year of FWW with the purchase of two (or was it four?) Quick-Grip clamps. That was about 15 months ago and lately I've been getting renewal come-ons in the mail.

After a lot of hand-wringing -- because I do like the magazine rather well -- I've decided not to renew. I think. Still slightly on the fence, but probably 95% sure I won't.

The reason is that Taunton Press recycles a lot of their editorial content ... into special issues, into books. I don't fault them for that; but I've decided that the stuff that interests me most is the stuff which is highly likely to get reprinted. So I think I'm going to get my "FWW fix" that way: via the reprints rather than the originals. I've bought three or four of the "New Best Of Fine Woodworking" books, and have looked at several more in bookstores. Eventually I'm going to collect them all, and as they continue to release new titles in the series I can't help but think that continuing as a subscriber will mean I'll end up paying for a lot of the same content twice.

Not sure I have a question here, unless it is: has anyone else noticed this practice, or thought about this particular dilemma?

[ddamoore]

The reason is that Taunton Press recycles a lot of their editorial content ... into special issues, into books. I don't fault them for that; but I've decided that the stuff that interests me most is the stuff which is highly likely to get reprinted. So I think I'm going to get my "FWW fix" that way: via the reprints rather than the originals. I've bought three or four of the "New Best Of Fine Woodworking" books, and have looked at several more in bookstores. Eventually I'm going to collect them all, and as they continue to release new titles in the series I can't help but think that continuing as a subscriber will mean I'll end up paying for a lot of the same content twice.

Not sure I have a question here, unless it is: has anyone else noticed this practice, or thought about this particular dilemma?

Yes, I have noticed that too. This is also practiced pretty regularly by both WOOD and Pop. Woodworking. Two recent examples are;

WOOD
http://www.woodstore.net/bewo20.html

PW
https://www.popularwoodworking.com/s...ay.asp?id=2221

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I don't know how familiar you are with P2P sharing, but there is a torrent file to download PDFs of issues 1-85. It's a gigantic file (over 1 gb), and it's no longer seeded (which means it can't be downloaded right now). I didn't download them, and don't really encourage it, but I just thought I would point out that I came across it. Just a little FYI.

P2P . . . . I've only used the most basic Gnut, etc but that was a while back. Got sick of the garbage on my computer. Where would one find the PDF's?

[final_t]

P2P . . . . I've only used the most basic Gnut, etc but that was a while back. Got sick of the garbage on my computer. Where would one find the PDF's?

Email the publishers of Shopnotes and ask them to make them available on dvd for a nominal charge ($24.95 comes to mind). When the say that they don't have any plans to do so, point out that they are currently available for free online via p2p or alt.binaries.

[scorrpio]

I subscribe to Fine Homebuilding, Fine Woodworking and Wood, and think I'll sub to Workbench. My primary interest is techniques, and various tips. ShopNotes, I'll usually page through at newsstand, and make a mental note of things that interest me. I don't really have need for the plans and cut lists cause I design all my projects myself.

[sacherjj]

I subscribed to the Fine Woodworking Network for one month. The articles we useful. I went through and downloaded almost all of the PDFs. I didn't think the videos were good enough to keep up my subscription after that. But for $8 or whatever it was, I've got just over 1000 articles. It is probably worth it to subscribe for a month if you are looking at doing certain types of projects and downloading the articles related to that, then letting the subscription lapse.

[jnesmith]

$59 was insane! $14.95 is pretty retarded too, when you think of it; seems like it should be included with your mag subscription. But, I haven't seen what you get for your money, so I know not of what I speak. (Hmmm, maybe that should be my sig. line.)

The videos are pretty cool. A pic is worth a 1000 words, and a video is worth a 1000 pics. Or, something like that.

It's a very convenient way to find past articles, rather than flipping through 50 pounds of print.

If you are a recent subscriber, you instantly have access to years worth of content.

I THINK there is some content that isn't in print, but could be wrong.

Is it worth $15/year? It is to me.

[havighurst]

Shop Notes

I noticed that the 1 year subscription is $24 for 6 issues or $4.95 per issue at the newsstand. I have found that a few stores are giving 10% off the cover price. To me, the 1 yr. subscription is not a good deal. I can look at the issue at the store and decide if I want to buy it, since I would only be saving about $3 with a year subscription.

[psal2]

If you call them, most offer the "renewal special" or some freebie (1 extra year) through their customer service, even for new customers. I got Wood magazine that way. Workbench is nice too. Just got a trial on Family Handyman but wasn't impressed with the issue.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I noticed that the 1 year subscription is $24 for 6 issues or $4.95 per issue at the newsstand. I have found that a few stores are giving 10% off the cover price. To me, the 1 yr. subscription is not a good deal. I can look at the issue at the store and decide if I want to buy it, since I would only be saving about $3 with a year subscription.

Where do you find it? Larger bookstores, ie B&N, Borders?

[gimpy]

Just getting into woodworking, I actually like Shopnotes. In fact, I built my router table (top not finished, yet) from one of their plans. The 5 plywood projects issue. (still need to buy that router insert).

I haven't subscribed to them, but usually buy it off the stands.

Frank

[scottjbs]

Shop Notes Hardback Volumes

I recently purchased the hardback volumes available from Shop Notes and have been very pleased with the composition and content. So, for $120, you can have thousands of plans and tips at your fingertips in color, neat and detailed, in nice binders with user friendly features.