This past week my local woodworker’s guild had the opportunity to visit Woodsmith magazine and Wood magazine studies, both in Des Moines, IA.  At Woodsmith, our host was Logan Wittmer, assoc. editor.  Phil Huber, multimedia editor, also spent much time with us when we toured their video studio. While we were at the Wood magazine facilities, we were hosted by Sr. Editor, David Campbell.

We were able to see their video and photo studios, product work shops along with many of the past and future edition projects.  The day ended with a visit to the Des Moines Woodsmith store.  This store is large and has many tools on display along with having large lumber and finishes departments.  Danl

 

Woodsmith hosts Logan and Phil

 

Woodsmith video studio

 

Woodsmith photo shoot studio

 

Woodsmith project work shop

 

Wood magazine past projects

 

Wood magazine project work shop

 

Wood Magazine gallery

 

 

Wood Magazine photo shoot studio

 

Woodsmith Store

 

WOW! That is awesome! I always wondered where they filmed the show.

 

Did you ask what happened to Don Penske?

Thanks Dan. Very interesting. I always figured the Woodsmith Shop was much larger but had no idea it is that large overall. Appreciate the time you took to take pictures and post here.

2 hours ago, lew said:

Did you ask what happened to Don Penske?

Lew, I had wondered the same thing when the new season of Woodsmith Shop began airing a few weeks ago. I noticed he was missing as were others. About the same time he also had disappeared from the Weekly eTips videos...

 

Don Peschke sold August Home Publishing (parent company of Woodsmith) almost three years ago. I read somewhere as part of the sales agreement by the purchasing company, Don & the others were to remain for at least two years, Don continuing in his role as Managing Editor of Woodsmith. Another article I found, about the time of the sale, August Home Publishing had a market value of ~$50M.

Pretty good for a guy who started the magazine with his life savings, a shoestring budget and from his shop in his basement.

 

This gives most of the details about the sale..Woodsmith Magazine-August Home Publishing Sold

Edited October 28, 20187 yr by Grandpadave52

Thanks for the information, Dave.

 

I have been getting the Woodsmith magazine for many years but it doesn't have the quality it once did. Although there are no advertisements, the product reviews certainly have taken their place. Shopnotes was my favorite publication. I really liked the plans for building jigs, tools and machines.

 

So many of the publications continue to "push" Arts and Crafts projects. Personally I don't care for the "craftsman" style. 

I let my Woodsmith subscription expire a couple of years ago; about the same time I let Wood expire too...kept thinking I would renew Woodsmith, but never got-a-round-tuit. Like you, I enjoyed Shop Notes more. I'd have to dig, but think I have the first issue of Woodsmith. The new season of Woodsmith Shop has lost it's luster too IMO.

Wow we can only dream , Huh? I loved Shop Notes also and lost interest in Woodsmith when they did not add the Shop Notes content. Like Dave I dropped it too couple years after Wood got that bitter taste. My Interest is turning and history now.

Thanks for the pictures Danl. I always wondered what a perfect wood shop would look like...

Woodsmith is larger than what I shared with you in the pics.  They have another work shop in the same building where the video studio is at.  The 2nd shop is where the props are made for the videos.  I cannot show you these pics because they have people in the pics and I do not have their permission to post them in social media.  The Woodsmith video studio is shared with a new gardening publication which has not been released or publicly seen yet (see pic).  The gardening set is in the same room as Woodsmith, just turn the cameras 180 degrees and turn on a different set of lights.   Danl 

That's a cool trip. one I would have loved to take.

Thanks for posting this up Danl.  Bet it was a fun day, and maybe somewhat dehydrating from all the drooling?

WHEW!!!!

thanks Dan...

Thanks, Dan. If I only had the money.  

NICE ! Not the average handyman workshop.