DECEMBER 2006 VOL. XXI, NO. 1

Editor: TOD RIGGIO

Staff Writers: BRIAN CALDWELL, JENNIFER HICKS Copy Desk Chief: LISA COOK

Proofreader: JENNIFER NELSON

Design Chief: STEVEN JYLKKA Layout Supervisor: KELLY A. LEACH

Layout Editor: JASON JOHNSON Editorial Assistant: ESTHER POPE

General Manager: MARK E. HOAG

Editorial Director: IAN C. BOWEN Circulation Director &

Business Manager: GRETCHEN DARE

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Celebrating 20 years
tracking the industry

As you might have guessed from the cover, Woodshop News is 20 years old. I think you’ll agree that’s an impressive achievement for any business, but particularly in the cut-throat realm of publishing. Any magazine that survives the first few years of hemorrhaging money is considered a miracle; one that becomes profitable is considered a success against all odds; and one that achieves longevity is often praised for its premise, editorial quality and ability to adapt to the changing times.

Our first issue was published in December 1986 and as the editor in charge of producing this anniversary issue, the logical first step was to locate a copy. Except for the design, paper stock and cover price (95 cents!), the magazine really hasn’t changed much.

We started as a “news magazine for and about people who work with wood,” a motto that was eventually tweaked to “the news magazine for professional woodworkers” starting with the May 2005 issue. Our editorial content continues to focus on the one- to 10-person shops that produce furniture, cabinetry or architectural millwork.

The lead story in the first issue proposed new uses for Eastern white pine, and market reports on red cedar and rosewood. We’ve been tracking wood prices in every issue for 20 years and on Page 24 — by coincidence only — you’ll find a report on Eastern white pine.

While we’ve done our

best to promote safety in

the last 20 years, it’s never

enough. Jack Turner’s

offer still stands.

Our founding publisher, Jack Turner, was a hobbyist woodworker. In the first issue he shared the grisly experience of nearly severing three fingers in a table saw accident as a means to raising the awareness of shop safety. “One of the functions of a paper like Woodshop News is to share the wisdom of its readers among themselves,” wrote Turner. “To that end, we invite you to write a letter to the editor. We’d like to know what you consider to be the most dangerous piece of woodworking equipment and how to best to avoid its inherent dangers. We’d like to know what you consider to be the

TAKING STOCK
TOD RIGGIO

most dangerous workshop or job-site practice and what alternatives there are. If you have had an accident and learned from it, we’d like to hear from you [too].”

While we’ve done our best to promote safety in the last 20 years, it’s never enough. Jack Turner’s offer still stands.

Quality journalism has always been the backbone of this magazine. We’ve constantly presented news stories about trade shows, federal and government regulations, popular woods and wood products, and industry trends. And there are some news stories that have required constant attention. I was reminded of this by a story in the first issue that announced the United States was imposing a 15-percent tariff on imports of softwood from Canada. On Page 20 of this issue, we report that the United States and Canada have finally settled the dispute with a seven-year agreement.

From the beginning, Woodshop News has presented new product announcements. But we’ve always taken a different approach from other magazines when it comes to presenting information about new tools. We’ve never tested or reviewed products, preferring to write straightforward and objective stories about their function and features. That approach won’t change.

We have made some changes over the years, providing less information for the hobbyist and more information relevant to a professional shop. We’ve added a technical column, The Cutting Edge, to supplement our longstanding Pro Shop and Finishing columns. Other staples have included our At the Galleries report, Calendar and Classified sections, and popular profiles of woodworking businesses.

This 20th anniversary issue isn’t much different from our first issue and all those in between. We have reminisced a bit, returning to the shops of Richard Swartwout (who appeared on our first cover), Paul White and Dan Andrew Kates for updates. The cover — created by Steve Jylkka, our design chief — celebrates our accomplishment and hopefully states very clearly what this magazine has always been about: presenting news and information to help professional woodworking shops grow their business.

So “cheers” to us reaching 20, and to the next milestone.

Working with tools and wood is inherently dangerous. We try to give our readers tips that will enhance their understanding of woodworking. But our best advice is to make safety your first priority. Always read your owner’s manuals, work with properly maintained equipment and use safety devices such as blade guards, push sticks and eye protection. Don’t do things you’re not sure you can do safely, including the techniques described in this publication or in others. Seek proper training if you have questions about woodworking techniques or the functions of power machinery.