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While building the new American Woodworker Magazine Compilation disk (you can get it as a download, too), I was asked to check the issue PDFs as they came in. I checked every page in all the issues, one at a time. Many of the articles were immediately pulled out for my personal use (I guarantee that you’ll find a library full of woodworking articles, too), and I was amazed at the pieces of furniture in the Reader’s Gallery. Plus, who wouldn’t want to read the 500 or more Workshop Tips published in the 173 issues? I also have to say that I enjoyed the advertisements!
In fact, I like advertisements in woodworking magazines. There’s a great amount of information in some ads. It’s a snapshot of what’s hot, new or interesting at the time. Plus, I like the creativity – I watch the Super Bowl commercials, too.
As you thumb through the magazine advertisements, you see a younger Norm Abram and Scott Phillips in Delta ads, you see ads for tools that are no longer as big in woodworking (remember how strong plate joiners were when introduced – I still use mine on occasion) and you quickly see companies that have stood the test of time and are still running advertisements today.
My all-time favorite woodworking advertisement is from JET. The shadow tossed off the band saw is cast upon the wall as a high chest of drawers. Very clever. Very creative. JET should be proud of this ad. The ad team back in the day should have been given a prize, party or an extra day off.
Another advertisement that you may remember is from Woodcraft (shown below). You have to look close.
If you have a favorite woodworking magazine advertisement, list it below in the comment section. If you have a photo, send it in and I’ll add it to this post.
Here’s an advertisement sent in by a reader. I happen to know that it’s a favorite of his due to the fact that he is the model in the ad.
