>...FWW's focus seems to have shifted a bit. They used to be more on a technique and 'fine' bent, whatever that is. Now they seem more to be following the trend toward tool reviews and a new workbench design every other issue. Whether they're serving their target audience is debatable on a couple counts: The (albiet heavily biased) opinion here is that the hand tool market is booming, and that that share is being neglected by FWW; and that the target audience has changed in recent times from the 'fine' crowd (again, defined by whatever terms fit convenient convention) to the weekend warrior crowd.
While I agree that the subject of Adam's submission was esoteric as all get-out, the gist of the matter is still that FWW seems either to be targeting new blood with new priorities, or is evolving the way of American Woodworker and losing touch with (at least one segment of) its readership.
>Pop WW seems (thanks I suspect to Chris Schwarz) to be willing to run articles on the use of hand tools. Granted, they're moving in carefully to this arena, but they're doing it.
But I think this is not the only way that FWW has wandered. I will leave out of this arguments over solid wood vs. MDF, although I have my strong opinions on the subject. But they're no longer serving as a resource for study of the best of historical and current work, as they once did. Woodwork and Pop WW between them seem to have carved up the market that FWW once filled alone - and, based on advertising pages filled in those magazines, they're not in narrow niches.
But, to quote the beginning of my favorite line from "Top Secret," "Times change; people change; interest rates fluctuate." Maybe, as Dave suggests, WE are the resource we wish FWW was - or at least some of us; I figure I'm occupying the role of class clown, just to be sure it's filled.
>And this is the very point of so many readers' disappointment:
"they're no longer serving as a resource for study of the best of historical and current work, as they once did."
Fine Woodworking never used to be about what jig to buy for pocket hole joinery or which belt sander best served the small shop. It was about theory, design and all the things even we weekend warriors aspire to. It was the source serious woodworkers looked to for a challenge, for inspiration and for techniques of masters. That higher calling Was it's particular niche market, whereas now, most of us can scan through an issue and disregard half the material presented. I know there are always newcomers, but there is a plethora of magazines for newcomers. Without them taking the high ground, who is there to fill it?
>Why not post pics and the story behind them here so we can all benefit from it.I see the notebook getting fatter and the ink cartridge getting slimmer here.Count me among the interested.
>I find it kind of ironic that the editorial staff of Popular Woodworking - Popular having particular connotations in American culture - have been taking it in a direction that, while it's not where FWW was, is certainly more so than FWW is now.
>It just seems a little strange to me that we would cry about how FWW is going downhill in quality, and then in the next sentence talk about how we can make a jig to use with our $600 sharpening machine to radius a blade; instead of learning how to do it by hand? I think you can probably handle this little jab ;)
>Well iam on your side, if your into hand tools then from where i sit, there is no need for tailed tools needed, just think about 100 years ago what did they do. Why some seem to look for holy grail to woodworking at time's is amazing to me.
Dennis, who see's no reason to keep up with the uninformed
>While it may seem strange to some folks that I`m interested in this jig(strange because I don`t own one of those $600 LV machines)it makes perfect sense to me.
I`m interested in how someone else approached a problem and I`d like to see thier solution to that problem.There may be something there I can use even if I don`t own that machine(yet).Even if I can`t put that knowledge to use now I can still file it away and it may come in handy in the future either for myself or a friend.It pays to keep your eyes open.
I also believe that it`s a good idea to master a skill such as freehand sharpening,I can freehand twist drills,learned it as part of my machinist training.I have yet to meet another human being that is near as good as a Darex machine,I know I`ll never even get close.
Once you master the skill and understand the mechanics behind that skill I also believe there is absolutely nothing wrong with being smart and efficent and using a jig to sharpen just about everything.The results are consistant,you waste less steel,takes less time,I could go on but I trust you get the point.
I can stand on my head and drive a nail,it impresses the heck out of bystanders,that doesn`t mean I stand on my head every time a nail needs driven.
There are only two occasions that I can think of when it`s appropiate to freehand 1-you want to impress someone 2-you forgot the jig.
Now you see why it`s important to master the skill,it pays to have a backup plan.I trust all you freehanders can absorb THAT jab.
>There's a third reason to freehand. A scrub plane doesn't need to be very consistent. For one of these, a freehand camber is good enough. You can save a little time if you don't go searching for the jig. For every other application, I agree. A jig is a lot easier to use to give you the consistency of curvature that you need to get consistent results from the planing operation.
OTOH, we could just go back to using knapped flint, wrapped in leather, instead of planes. All it takes is a little more skill and a little more time :^)
>What! You are nominating me for edditor? Sorry that sounds like work. Besides I have no ability to do woodworking or editing. Thanks but no thanks. Work? me?
Yes, you are right, I should not have put the two points in the same response! Pretty lame of me to do this...
IF I was able to find a reasonably priced pedal grinding wheel (I know I'll find one someday...) maybe I can retire the Tormek. I'd certainly use a pedalled version over my high speed grinder! I once passed up a pedal-powered grinder at a flea market and kick myself for not buying it. However, there will always be other opportunities...
And yes, I'll try to get some drawings of the radiusing jig. Don't have a digital camera so pics are not in the cards right now...
