300 points and counting – FineWoodworking

Whereas I usually want to speak about woodworking somewhat than journal making, I did wish to take a minute to notice that this situation represents the three hundredth time we’ve managed to put in writing, edit, lay out, and ship to the printer a difficulty of Nice Woodworking. It’s the 179th time I’ve been by the method myself. Beginning with the format of an article on spokeshaves by Mario Rodriguez, my first situation on the journal, #122, was one of the crucial difficult and mentally exhausting feats I had ever tried. It was additionally the best lesson in woodworking that I had ever had. I used to be crammed with aid and taking a breath after the difficulty had shipped solely to have Bob Goodfellow, the artwork director on the time, say “OK, let’s do it once more.”

Over time, I’ve realized what an important luxurious it’s to have an occupation the place you’re tasked with making one thing nearly as good as it may be. I can attest to the truth that each phrase, photograph, and illustration in each situation is crafted with the utmost care and energy by a small group of extremely gifted people who find themselves as keen about woodworking as they’re about making {a magazine}. Nonetheless, one factor that has remained fixed over my 25 years on the journal is the oft-heard remark, “I appreciated you higher again within the previous days.” I’ve by no means had an excellent response to that. I just like the previous points as properly, however right now’s points are a lot greater than only a printed journal. Whereas I prefer to suppose that it’ll all the time be the anchor of the model, right now every printed situation is surrounded by a wealth of on-line content material and assets. Readers have entry to multipart, in-depth video workshops, a library of downloadable plans, a sequence of on-line challenge guides, and naturally an entire archive of each situation that was ever printed. There are additionally blogs and a podcast masking not simply the historical past of the craft, but in addition up-to-the-minute developments, designs, methods, and makers. In complete, Nice Woodworking right now gives a richer expertise that I might have ever imagined.

Forgive me if this appears like a gross sales pitch, however I’m as huge a fan of the journal and the craftspeople that make it nice as I used to be on my first day on the job. If in case you have been alongside for the journey, I sincerely thanks. If you’re simply leaping on board, I’m assured you’ll discover the inspiration and knowledge you’re searching for.

—Michael Pekovich