As you know, things have been changing here at Fine Woodworking, and the end of 2023 has been a ride for us! I was planning to take the week off after Christmas, and I needed to figure out what to feature and schedule here while I was out. Suddenly I had an idea: Let’s show off the top five posts of 2023. I’m glad I looked into this, because it gave me a much-needed bit of perspective on the year. I think it might give you some perspective, too.
At Fine Woodworking, we strive to produce a magazine and a website that makes you a better woodworker. For some, that might mean learning a new veneering technique or how to cut a perfectly gap-free, wedged through-mortise. Others might need something a little more basic. Unfortunately, we can’t make a magazine or website that speaks exclusively to you (yeah, YOU!), so we have to spread it out a little bit. From time to time readers tell us that our content has become too basic and that we no longer feature advanced techniques for advanced woodworkers. Thumb through the archive a bit, and I honestly think you’ll see that very little has changed other than the number of pages in the magazine. There was always a lot of space devoted to fundamentals. (You’ll also be shocked at how many MORE ads there were.)
Possibly, the thing that has changed over the years is you (yeah, YOU). You’ve grown into a better woodworker and you no longer need articles and videos covering fundamentals. That’s great! We’re happy to have been a small part of your success. For woodworkers like you, we have a TON of advanced content. Going back a few issues I find John Cameron building a classic Ming table, David Welter’s faceted glass door, Mike Korsak’s gunstock miter joint, or Craig Thibodeau demonstrating his techniques for adding elegant feet to tapered legs. We’re always going to feature woodworkers working at the bleeding edge of the craft. It’s an important thing to do and that’s why we’re here.
But it’s also important to recognize that the top five visited posts of 2023 are meat-and-potatoes posts. There is something in them for all woodworkers—whether you’re a beginner or you’re Mike Korsak. While filming Larissa Huff making her router table, I learned more about efficient and systematic workflows. I learned a better way to process wide stock from Tony O’Malley. I learned about a simple yet effective bowtie jig from my buddy Vic Tesolin. Bob Van Dyke taught me about adding a rabbet to sled runners so the squeeze-out isn’t an issue and they’re easier to true up. Tim Manney taught me that when adding mass to a workbench, the simplest way is likely the best.
I didn’t learn these things because I’m not already a well-educated woodworker (it’s my livelihood), but rather because I’m curious to learn and get better at everything I do in the shop—even the basics. So, if you haven’t done it yet, check out our most visited posts of 2023. I’m pretty sure you’ll learn a thing or two.
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Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.