Family Handyman

I have been getting this magazine from my local Lowes for the past 5 years, and I have never been disappointed with a single issue. From simple to more complex, their how-to sections are enough to make this magazine a must. However, they add that much more with new product reviews, smart user-submitted hints, and expert advice to keep ones interest over and over. I highly recommend this magazine, and think all homeowners should add it to their arsenal for fixing and beautifying their home!

I have been a subscriber for a little over 3 years and next time it is up I will pass on the renewal.

In the beginning I anticipated the arrival of each magazine and once I received it I read through it in a day. Like most reviewers, I found about 2-3 tips from each magazine. Also like some reviewers stated, it seems the magazine has way to many adds.

I must admit my skill set has increased immensely during the past 3 years due to my job and maybe I have out grown the magazine's beginner level approach and now look for more in depth writing.

My 3-star rating is not a slam but more of a way for me to describe the magazine now as average, where in the beginning it was a solid 4, but never a 5.

It probably is one of the better all around magazines out there for its class, but some of the easy level how to stuff, and massive amounts of adds leave only a few pages an issue that garner my attention, which only amount to about 15 minutes total of reading that issue and off to someone else I pass it along. I can not remember the last issue that I opened it up again after the first reading.

If you are interested in fixing your own stuff and are not so tool savvy this magazine is for you. If you know your way around the shop, then it will merely be a refresher course every issue with most projects not particularly engaging looking.

Between the numerous adds, the "model" looking laborers, and the "set style" projects it reads almost like you are viewing a glazed over Hollywood like production with commercials every 2 minutes.

Its worth reading if your other better magazines are not there yet.

If you do most of the maintainace work around your house, besides the interesting wood projects, this is a great magazine for handy tips. I pick up at least 2-3 per issue. For me, that alone is worth the price.

item not yet received even though order was placed 69 days ago. no contact from company.

I like this magazine as a sort of brain-storming idea-generating tool. Most of the articles are not in-depth enough to be the sole source of plans for executing the ideas. For instance a recent article about "DIY Solar Panels" was just a double-page-spread with most of the space consumed by a colorful diagram. But the mere fact that it alerted me to the existence of these new DIY kits, made it worthwhile.