Dave,
I’d have to say that by and large, I don’t agree with you all that much. However, you are 1000% correct in your assessment of the FW Tools and Shops 2008 edition. As good as last year’s was makes this an even larger disappointment.

What’s happening to Fine Woodworking?

,,,,,,,,,,,,Chet

I think your tortoise and hare analogy is very good. It sounds like my situation is very similar to yours (same age, same amount of woodworking experience, same hassles getting shop time). I’m also trying to transition from a hare into more of a tortoise. I used to spend time in my shop just because I liked building things. I still like building things, but now I also enjoy the artistry [trying not to sound pretentious]. I doubt anyone else will ever care if I cut my dovetails by hand or with a jig, but it’s starting to matter to me. But I can honestly say that I’ll never dimension wood with a hand plane instead of a thickness planer.

Your comments on this topic are right on the money, as usual. I guess all us old guys think alike . . .

Thank goodness that after 8 months of serious entry into the hobby I’m finally (I think) past the stage of get it done now, get the new tool now mentality. Maybe I’m maturing, but then again, it could be that I’m realizing that I already have 85% of everything I could ever need for woodworking.

In any case, I’m slowing down my approach to projects and appreciating that the the journey is just as much (if not more) of the experience as is the destination.

Keep up the great work.