Good Monthly Woodworking Magazines? - Woodworking Talk

woodnthings · 05-02-2009, 07:15 PM

For those who are in this field professionally and as a business there is a magazine called Woodshopnews and is available thru the mail or online at: www.woodshopnews.com The May 2009 issue is great.
This particular issue has features on a Hawaiian woodworker, and an Arts and Crafts woodworker in Maine, as well as tool reviews, good ads and new tools. I like it!

It's different from the PopularWW and FWW, and WWJournal in that it 's oriented for those in the business. Great photos as well. You can preview this month's, May 2009, issue at the site above. This month's online has no photos for some reason...I guess they want you to subscribe! FYI,

bill

**TexasTimbers** · 05-02-2009, 07:19 PM

I have never been a big "subscriber" type, but I have subscribed to Woodshop News off and on for nearly 20 years. It's a good one.

woodnthings · 05-02-2009, 08:09 PM

What exactly is that tool you are working with in your avatar? I think I have a shorter version, I got while in Japan, but I can't remember what they're called?

bill

**TexasTimbers** · 05-02-2009, 09:55 PM

Bill,

It's called a slick. It's a timber framing tool used to pare large tenons and other joint surfaces quickly, but you can also use it to do precision work. Mine is over 150 years old. I bought it from a guy in New England. I wish it could tell stories. Where in Japan did you live? My dad was in the navy and we were stationed in Atsugi 68, 69, and 70.

Here's another use for it . . . .

woodnthings · 05-02-2009, 10:35 PM

TT, General Moters sent me to Japan in 1991 for 10 weeks. I shipped a bicycle, guitar and my clay modeling tools, about 400 lbs.! I would get on the bike at night and ride until I couldn't see the neon sign of the hotel any longer, turn around and ride back.

I was in Fujisawa City, near an Izuzu plant/design studio. They used the hardest form of plastic clay I'd ever run into and it was almost impossible to quickly create rough shapes with hand tools as I had done at GM with our softer clay. The Japanese were very "methodical" and used precise templates and worked slowly. For a roundeye to come in a try to show them our method was an eyeopening experience for them, so to speak. My working partner spoke English, I spoke no Japanese, nor did anyone else other than the hotel clerks. So, in my off hours, I took up water colors and shopping for tools. On the ride to work I would look out the window and ask "What kind of shop is that? What are they doing there..etc. I finally hit the jackpot. A little store front about 12' wide with an 80 yr old lady behind the counter held an amazing assortment of dusty Japanese chiels and slicks. I spent my expense account dry! I did'nt want to declare them on the way back and the custom guys were searching everyone's stuff. I started offering the various containers I used, 8 gal. RubberMaid tubs, since they fit the size reqirements exactly! The customs guy said let me see the large blue one....shoes... clothes..books etc..Ok, you're free to go.Whew!

I had them in a clear tub I bought over there, clear ones you can see into right...no problem, nothing would be in that one. right? NOT! So, I was so happy to clear customs, I left my brief case under the payout window. Got all the way home after being awake for 36 hrs and had to drive another hour back to the airport. When I finally got home again, I slept for 24 hours straight thru.

When I woke up it was 2 days later. I missed an entire day! But, all my special tools were intact and remain virtually unused to this day. I do have 2 smaller slicks and have used them to plane larger surfaces smooth. So many projects so little time! I'll bet you didn't expect all this info!

bill