Best Woodworking Magazines For Beginners [2024 Version]

Woodworking magazines are a quick and easy way to get loads of information on all things woodshop class has missed out on teaching you.

Especially if you are a novice and would like to sharpen your skills, magazines are a great tool for gulping down knowledge fast.

Invest in a good magazine that will give you the inspirations you need to kick start your time in the woodshop. With the thousands of magazine guides out there, you may be feeling stuck. I’m here to help you find the best woodworking magazine and get you out of this tricky situation.

Best Woodworking Magazines Reviews

I have compiled a list of top woodworking magazines on the market. Below I’m going to review them.

Each page is filled with all the basics you need to become the best woodworker that you can be. With seven issues coming out every year, you’ll be getting plenty of time in between to practice woodworking crafts. And these magazines help you sharpen your knowledge and skills rapidly.

Popular Woodworking Magazine

Sometimes, when you are learning something new all by yourself, you tend to miss out on some key factors. These are the things that by reading this popular woodworking magazine will definitely cover for you and fill you up with everything that you’re missing.

The editors and writers behind this have tried and tested every single project that they published, so you know that you will be getting the best out of each project. And do you know? Famous author Bob Flexner is a contributing editor of the Popular Woodworking!

So, the articles in this magazine will inspire you to grow as an artist as well as an individual. To most, woodworking will seem like just another hobby, but what this journal will teach you is focus and diligence. In no time, you will be able to identify various problems and find a way to solve them. 

Highlighted Features

• There are lots of practical scenarios mentioned
• You will be able to learn techniques of classical furniture
• Easy to read instructions, tool reviews and product reviews
• Detailed photographs and illustrations
• Can also be read on Kindle

Woodworker’s Journal

Woodworker’s Journal is nothing short of amazing. This American woodworker journal has been designed proficiently to cater to every skill level of all sorts of woodworking lovers. Instead of teaching the reader word by word on all the hundreds of different techniques, they are down-right practical.

What I mean by practical is that most of the woodworkers’ journal pages are filled with projects broken down into segments and explained with clear drawings, diagrams, and photo references.

You’ll get the hang of every type of bonding, fastening, finishing etc. covered throughout each of the projects. The techniques are taught through examples by experienced woodworkers and instructions that have been broken down to the simplest form, making it the best woodworking magazine for beginners.

Every issue comes with a free pattern or stencil. You can consider it a bonus or a surprise present. This highly useful magazine will not be something that you will read once and then throw away. You can keep it for years as the projects listed in them are timeless and can be made just as a practice exercise.

Highlighted Features

• Great ideas related to the woodshop
• Great project ideas related to the woodshop
• Instructions are also quite informative
• Concepts are explained through detailed photos
• Projects range from beginner to advanced level, so there is something for everyone
• Teaches you woodshop theories

Fine Woodworking

If you’re quite familiar with the game, then this paper will be right for you. “Fine Woodworking Magazine” has all the tips and tricks you need to make your crafts the best they could be. Starting from age-old wisdom to modern hacks, you can be sure to get any advice you may need from this fine print.

The editors of this magazine do a fine job of collecting and rounding up any and every type of practical information that they could find in order to help readers in the real world.

Everything is also very on-trend, so you won’t have to worry about catching up on different furniture styles on your own. This woodworking magazine has got your back.

Even if you can’t get your hands on the physical copy of an issue, you can always tune into your phone or laptop to view it online through iTunes. This is another way to ensure that you will never be left behind, as long as you have subscribed to it once.

Also, the tips, tricks, and projects mentioned in Fine Woodworking are all for stimulating regular woodworkers and for them to get fine woodworking best tips to take it to the next step

Highlighted Features

• You can read digitized copies of it through iTunes
• It has intense projects for professionals
• There is also a wide variety of project sizes
• It has great and inspiring ideas
• All the well-known craftsmen write articles for this magazine

Woodsmith Magazine

Most woodwork magazines are very robotic when it comes to what they put as woodworking tips and their involvement with the writers and their content. This particular number, however, is very hands-on. The writers and editors are 100 % involved with every article, instruction, and project that they decide to put in the magazine.

Every trick in the magazine is tried, tested, and made foolproof by each of the writers. Most of the projects are completely designed by the writers themselves.

A lot of time and effort is put into the making of each issue, so you know that whatever you are paying for is completely worth it.  Not only are you getting direct access to talent-filled artists and the work they have to offer, but you’ll be learning from the best with just the turns of a few pages.

This magazine aims to inspire beginners and at the same time, motivate professionals to keep working hard. Another proof that this magazine means business is that it has no ads to interrupt its flow. I mean, it can’t get any better than this. Another thing that you should know is that Woodsmith magazine has been integrated into ShopNotes magazine.

Highlighted Features

• No advertisements
• Projects are tested and built by the writers themselves
• Contains detailed plans of different crafts
• Readable instructions
• Have high graded tasks for readers to work on
• Comes with a list of materials & tool reviews
• Gives you safety instructions
• The magazine as a whole is of great quality and will last a long time

Woodcraft Magazine

If you are tired of the same old projects consisting of basic chairs, tables, and cabinets, and you are looking for something new, the Woodcraft Magazine is the perfect magazine to get your blood pumping. Each issue is more updated than the last as it contains new and exciting ventures for craftsmen to take part in.

You will be challenged when making things with wood that you have never even thought of. Even if the tasks might be new and something that you’ve never tried before, you can have a shot at it because it comes with detailed instructions and clearly labeled plans.

Furthermore, you will also be up-to-date with the latest hand tools and hardware related to woodworking and honest reviews on them, so you know what to and what not to purchase.

This magazine also gives you the scoop on the most useful tips and tricks from the masters themselves. So, with every issue, know that you will be in good hands. And even when you are not doing woodwork, you’ll always be entertained with their sticky content.

Highlighted Features

• Includes useful woodworking strategies
• Helpful guidance and plans from experts
• Recommendations for equipment, tools, and techniques for different types of furniture

Wood Magazine

Do you want to be schooled from the depths of woodworking and learn the finer details like wood quality and the basics of working with wood?

Then Wood Magazine is the right magazine to get your hands on. It doesn’t matter if you are an amateur or an expert; this is one handy magazine.

Without compromising any great projects and tips, each issue deals with frequently asked questions by regular woodshop workers. This makes it extremely helpful to get various insights and perspectives on woodworking.

You will also get information on supplementary products that come with woodworking like different kinds of glue and fastening joints.

Everything that is included in this magazine is shop-tested. This magazine is so well written and informative that it can even be used to teach students in woodshop classes. It has all the basic plans you need to truly understand the material that you are working with so that you can make the best quality crafts and step up.

Highlighted Features

• Detailed information on wood
• Information on glue
• Tips and tricks that can be used to teach students
• Recommendations for tools

Things to Consider When Buying A Woodworking Magazine

As much as these magazines are versatile in terms of teaching you techniques and giving you insights from experts, it is important to realize each publication will offer something unique. Here are some things to consider when you are choosing a woodworking magazine.

Timeless Tips

There are tips that go a long way. It doesn’t matter whether a project is completely new or fairly backdated; there are some tricks that will come in handy in any sort of venture. So, make sure the paper is full of useful tips that you can keep going back to whenever you’re working on a craft.

Advice from Experts

Once you find out that a magazine has articles or at least words of affirmation written and contributed by famous woodworkers or experts, then rest assured knowing that the woodworking magazine is trustworthy.

Successful Projects and Plans

It is your duty to find a magazine that contains a handful of projects that have been tried and proven successful by the writers of the magazine or at least other experts. This way, you’ll be making crafts and using tools successfully.

Durable

You don’t want a disposable magazine, not when it comes to incredible articles, reviews, and tips. Therefore, make sure the journal that you are purchasing is made of high-quality paper, printed with high pigmented ink and is bound together strongly.

That way you know that you’ll be able to keep it for years to come, especially if you ever want to go back to reading it again or giving it away to another wood project worker who might need it in the foreseeable future.

Pro Tips: Have you heard of Fine homebuilding? It’s another magazine that notes professional house building tips, reviews of tools, and design ideas for you.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. What is the easiest woodworking project?

A shelf is something most beginners start with. It is among the easiest crafts out there.

2. What projects sell really well?

Almost any kind of shelves or chests will make a lot of money if it is sold online.

3. What simple projects can you do with plywood?

Plywood tables, chairs, and even doghouses are some easy projects.

4. How do you get rid of unused wood?

Make sure you recycle wood or give it away to companies and organizations that take care of waste.

5. What is the process of finishing plywood?

Sanding, getting rid of the excess, drying, applying conditioner, and then wiping it clean constitutes the entirety of the process.

Conclusion

Thanks for taking the time to come this far into the article! Hopefully, my reviews will be of use to you and help you choose the woodworking magazine that will provide you with the most beneficial information and inspiration to motivate you to take steps on better woodworking projects with a better skill set. 

If you want to know more about some other magazines like woodshop news, Family Handyman, Woodcarving Illustrated, Wood Smith and TV shows like wood whisperer or you might go through graphic novels then we will try to cover another article for you. Plus, to develop your skill more, you may read the book Hybrid Woodworking written by Marc Spagnuolo.