As 2024 comes to a close, Ben and I have stuck to his tradition of looking for the top five posts on FineWoodworking.com. Our editors strive to bring you a broad range of topics, carefully curating each issue to meet the needs of woodworkers at every level. It’s amazing to be a part of it, even if my focus is on bringing those carefully crafted articles into a readable format for the site. Ben and I have had the privilege of seeing numbers that reflect what our readers love most, in the form of web performance. This live feedback not only gives us insight into what you enjoy, but also gives us guidance on what to feature in the future. This year’s first five posts are very diverse, in the best way possible: they contain not only articles, but also a blog and an episode of Shop Talk Live.
Our most important article, written by one of our newest bloggers, took a special place for me the moment I read it, and I’m so glad it resonated with you too. An Apprentice Enters a Lumber Mill, by Bonnie Elizabeth Houck, is a wonderfully written look at how to shop for lumber from the perspective of a woodworker who spent her early carpentry career selling lumber. Her other blogs are also worth reading: Spa Day in the Machine Shop and Do’s and Don’ts of Asking Questions in Woodworking Class are two of my favorites.
The second post includes a classic episode of our podcast: STL309: Everybody Needs a Sled. Mike, Anissa and Ben answer readers’ questions, which are always full of inspiration and great ideas. We always try to include the best articles and resources we have on our Shop Notes page. Ben and I usually take notes while recording live, and this has been a really fun way to dive into old issues and video content to provide you with the best resources we have to answer all your questions. Although we may not be able to answer every question completely, I have found that there is a very good chance that we have an author who is an expert on the topic.
Our third article is one of my favorite articles from this year’s issue, How to Build a Solar Oven. This is a unique article in our magazine and has received a lot of attention. I met the author, Brendan Plourde, at a Fine Woodworking New England event in April. He was there with a miniature replica of his oven and answered all kinds of questions from attendees over the weekend. Another great aspect of our articles is the relationships and community built around them. Our opportunities to meet in person are rare, but when we do, everyone seems armed with a plethora of questions and ideas. It’s a great way to connect with you and think about how we can improve and create more content.
The Safest Table Saw Methods for Making Difficult Cuts, our fourth most important article, is a great example of a very large part of what our editors focus on when approving articles: safety. Bringing you the best content and resources means checking to make sure that all of the processes we document are safe for any woodworker, especially when it comes to the table saw. Mike Pekovic provides great examples of unsafe cuts, and alternatives to making cleaner, safer cuts on a hacksaw. The accompanying Youtube video is one of our most popular pieces of content this year, and is one of Ben’s great ideas for content on the website.
The fifth best performing position of the year was no surprise either. Our team joked that the best food-safe finish ever might “break the Internet,” and while it didn’t quite happen, it certainly got a lot of attention. When Ben and I attended Woodworking in America, in October, several people contacted us about the article and its accompanying podcast: STL325: No Finish? No problem!. Siri Robinson, a wood scientist, makes a strong case for avoiding finished cookware and cutting boards. We are happy to hear their experiences and share them with you.
Each of these publications brings a different side of the magazine and the web to our readers, and it’s been special to find that our efforts are appreciated and seen by all of you. I speak for the rest of us at Fine Woodworking when I share our passion for this craft with our readers is something we keep in mind all the time, and it’s an honor to share it with you. I’m looking forward to another year of articles, videos, and podcasts. Introducing new contributors and sharing more about the craft. See you in 2025!
A newbie walks into a wood shop
Bonnie Elizabeth Houck shares how to shop for lumber from her unique perspective as a woodworker who also sells lumber.
STL309: Everyone needs a sled
Mike, Anissa, and Ben discuss sleds and hunting, if it’s worth refurbishing an old table saw, what to do with that perfect piece of pine, and moving immovable objects.
How to build a solar oven
Brennon Plourde built his solar oven over a weekend, using about $2,500 worth of materials.
The safer table saw ways to make the hard cuts
Is your workpiece trapped between the fence and the blade? If so, should it be?
The best food safe finishes may not exist at all
Finishes undermine the natural antimicrobial properties of wood, says Ceri Robinson, a professor of wood anatomy.
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