Fine Woodworking Magazine Reviews

by Mario62

I have tried to send feedback to Taunton via their apps and via the web site, but neither works (I have screen shots if someone at Taunton wants details) so have resorted to a review.
The new version of FineWoodworkingMagazine is a big step backward. The biggest problem for me that I am not seeing the latest issue of the magazine on older devices. I have an old iPad in my shop and there’s no way I’m going to replace it just for this. It used to work just fine.
Another problem is that they have not thoroughly tested offline use. A couple of days ago I was away from net access and went to read the mag. It would not show me an issue I had previously downloaded because it could not connect to their site.
Both of these are unacceptable. If these are not fixed by the the time my membership is up for renewal in a few months, I won’t be renewing. And they should fix the feedback/contact mechanisms too.
I’m posting the exact same review for both FWW and FHB.

by Jb587

If I could give 0 stars I would. I never write reviews but will make an exception. Software doesn’t function properly. Tried to speak with customer support. Spoken down
to as though I’m an idiot incapable of signing into a simple app only to confirm that there is in fact a problem. Told the first time I’d hear back in 24 hours. After 48 hours I was told that’s just an estimate. Entirely unable to use digital subscription.... extremely poor service delivery.

by Battery123

I guess I should have listened to the numerous 1 star reviews. When I upgraded I lost all past issues and purchases and 0 restored when I used the "restore" feature. I am unable to download from cloud as it asks me to buy them again.

Do not upgrade!

by UnRestored

Did anyone at Taunton bother to test this first? I suspect the answer to that is no. After selecting "Restore Purchases" FineWoodworkingMagazine states "33 products successfully restored". The problem is, they weren't. Only one, count em, one was restored. FineWoodworkingMagazine still indicates that I must repurchase all of the Tools and Shops issues, as well as a Tables and Chairs issue that I previously purchased. After sending an email and calling Customer Service, all I get is an email reply that they are sorry and they are investigating the problem. It has been weeks now and still no change. Taunton advertises a 100% money back guarantee ...well Taunton, either give me ALL of the products I've purchased or give me my money back! BTW, same problem with the Fine Homebuilding app!

by MyronM

I’ve downloaded FineWoodworkingMagazine a few times to see if they’ve fixed it. Nope. I’ve been a subscriber for awhile now. You’re supposed to get free digital access as a subscriber. FineWoodworkingMagazine still wants to charge me $8.99 for an issue that was part of my subscription. It’s done this every time.

by Tmccabejr

I have a subscription to Fine Woodworking. Beautiful publication. FineWoodworkingMagazine however will not let me login. Contacted Taunton’s support - canned response about “how to” login using one’s email address on file. I have gotten 4-5 different error messages from “not registered” to server errors, etc. Subscribe to the print magazine - BUT don’t expect this POS app to do anything more than create frustration. Waste of time.

by BrownBk

FineWoodworkingMagazine does not work as it should on my I-pad. I cannot get it to restore previous purchases I know I made. It also does not allow me to enter an ID number like it does on my I-phone. Contacted Taunton Press and they said they have no record of my purchases and I need to go through ITunes. Sorry to see others are having same problem.

by Eoqiuachowa

Every time I open FineWoodworkingMagazine to read one of the issues I previously downloaded they have all been deleted and I have to download them again. This happens over & over again. What a horrible design.
Won’t be renewing my subscription if I have to re-download all issues every time I open FineWoodworkingMagazine .

by Bustersci

This revised app will lose all your purchased issues. They say contact customer service in he review above. What a joke. I've tried twice and they ignore me. I have over three years of issues that I can no longer access. Unlike others, I was able to log in and use the "restore purchases" function, but no purchases are restored. DO NOT download FineWoodworkingMagazine. If you do, record everything you've purchased in the past because they'll steal it from you.

by Crawboats

I paid for the unlimited version so that I could have access to all the old magazines. Problem is all FineWoodworkingMagazine will let you view is the current month. You can see and even view the first few pages of older editions but to get one of the older magazines in its entirety it wants you to pay 8.99. I am logged in and it shows that I am paid through 2020. Best bet is to go to the website which is still very user unfriendly and go to the member area. Again and this is speaking professionally, both items web and FineWoodworkingMagazine work as if they were created by a beginner so if you are frustrated by websites and apps that are not intuitive stay away from this company’s products. They do have great woodworking information, it’s just frustrating to get to it.

by Timoc74

I hated the new app when it was pushed on me, I lost at least a years worth of magazines (would be forced to pay for them, not just redownloading them) that I had under the old app. I contacted customer service with Taunton and gave them my order number for a digital subscription and was basically told that they confirmed the start date of my subscription, but then blamed the developer of FineWoodworkingMagazine and said there’s nothing they can do, but that I should look for an app update to fix the issue. FineWoodworkingMagazine update came and still no fix. I recently updated to iOS11 and now FineWoodworkingMagazine is useless. Taunton and FineWoodworkingMagazine developer both need to get their act together and make this stupid app work. The ONLY reason I still have a subscription is that I love the content.

by Kritter64

It doesn't work at all on my tablet. Customer service said it was my problem. On my iPhone when tap on an area I get sent to something between FineWoodworkingMagazine and the website. The only way back to FineWoodworkingMagazine , is to completely close FineWoodworkingMagazine and restart it.

by Bshomb

If you let FineWoodworkingMagazine activate on a network it works. But if you launch it even with downloaded content while offline, no dice. Wish they would transition to the Apple News+ model instead of this awful experience.

by Jdnvutudke

I spent a boatload of money for an unlimited access subscription which is supposed to include full access to archives of “everything” they’ve ever published. Website seems to work ok, but FineWoodworkingMagazine wants me to pay 8-10$ an issue. Is this greed or incompetence?

by Willow Sneakers

To those complaining about the previous purchases not showing up after restoring them from your account. Here’s how I got them back. I ‘killed’ FineWoodworkingMagazine (ie double click home, then swipe FineWoodworkingMagazine up ) and then started it again.

After that it seems to be working fine.

To the developers, you really need to do a better job at quality assurance.

by J-Manns

Happy to see that the annual Tools & Shops issues that are part of the print subscription are now included at no extra cost in the new version of the iPad app. Thanks!

by Eudnrnsiw

This is an easy to use online magazine reader. It shows your subscribed issues and lets you download them for offline reading. Images are high resolution. Layout is the same as the print version so of course that is a factor on small screens but on an iPad, it’s awesome. A great benefit.

by ChipSawdust

Some say it lost their purchases. No, you have them in the cloud, people. Yes you have to re-download them, ooooh sad!

You can read in landscape mode and I think generally it performs faster and better. An improvement. And no, Taunton isn't taking your money and no, I don't work for them, I'm just another poor old woodworker like you.

by Ckstuart

I like the new interface. Very responsive when interacting with magazine pages. Downloads seem faster too. Thanks!

by Wallemon

While not perfect, FineWoodworkingMagazine isn’t giving me the issues noticed by others. It does have some quirks. For example, if you choose to Restore Purchases, it will only restore the items you have purchased through FineWoodworkingMagazine . In order to restore items from a print or digital subscription purchased through Fine Woodworking, you’ll need to login in order for those issues to appear. You can then download the ones you want. Looking forward to future app enhancements.