Ted’s Woodworking Review
If you’ve been searching for woodworking plans online, chances are you’ve stumbled across Ted’s Woodworking. Marketed as a massive collection of over 16,000 woodworking plans, it promises everything from furniture projects to outdoor builds, all bundled into one digital package. But is it really worth the $67 price tag, or just another overhyped download?
Created by Ted McGrath, a professional woodworker and teacher, this product is designed with beginners and hobbyists in mind. The collection comes as a digital download—so no waiting for shipping—and every plan can be printed out for shop use. Inside, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for a wide range of builds: tables, chairs, birdhouses, gazebos, and even niche items like wine racks.
At its core, Ted’s Woodworking aims to be more than just a set of blueprints. It’s pitched as a full learning library—plans, guides, and tutorials—that can help you build skills while creating projects you’ll actually use around the home.
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Quick Facts:
- Website: tedswoodworking.com
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Cost: $67 (with 60-day money-back guarantee)
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Format: Digital download + printable plans
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Content: 16,000+ woodworking plans
Assessing the Content and Features: A Deep Dive
📚 Range of Projects
Ted’s Woodworking claims over 16,000 plans, which sounds overwhelming at first glance—but it breaks down nicely. You’ll find a mix of furniture projects (beds, chairs, tables), outdoor builds (pergolas, gazebos, sheds), and smaller creative items like birdhouses, picture frames, and wine racks. Whether you want a quick weekend project or a bigger challenge, there’s plenty of variety.
👩🏫 Beginner-Friendly Design
Most of the plans are geared toward beginners and hobbyists, with clear step-by-step instructions. They walk you through the process in plain language, almost like Ted himself is in the shop guiding you. This makes it easier to build confidence without feeling lost.
🎥 Bonuses and Tutorials
Beyond the blueprints, the package includes extra resources: woodworking guides, tutorials, and even video instructions. These add context and help you avoid common mistakes, making the plans more than just drawings on paper.
💻 Digital Access and Flexibility
Everything is delivered as a downloadable file, so you can start immediately. Want a plan at your workbench? Just print it out. This format is handy for organizing projects on your computer while keeping paper copies in the shop.
⚒️ Skill Levels and Customization
The majority of designs fall in the beginner-to-intermediate range, which is great for learning the basics and building useful items. While advanced woodworkers may find some projects a little simple, there’s plenty of room for customization—you can always adapt a plan to add your own flair.
In short: the collection combines variety, accessibility, and flexibility, making it especially useful for anyone who wants guided practice while exploring new woodworking ideas.
Pros: Why Ted’s Woodworking Stands Out
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Massive variety of projects – With more than 16,000 plans, you’ll find everything from furniture and outdoor builds to smaller crafts and gifts.
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Beginner-friendly instructions – Ted’s step-by-step guidance is written in plain language, so you don’t get lost in technical jargon.
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Saves time and money – No more hunting for random (and often low-quality) plans online. Plus, clear directions help reduce wasted materials.
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Great for sparking creativity – Even if you don’t follow a plan exactly, they’re excellent starting points to tweak and make your own.
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Lifetime updates included – New or refined plans are added at no extra cost, so your collection keeps growing.
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Low-risk investment – The 60-day money-back guarantee means you can try it out without worrying about wasting your money.
Cons: Navigating the Limitations
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Can feel overwhelming – With 16,000+ plans, it’s like walking into a giant library. Organization is key to avoid getting lost.
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Better for beginners than experts – Advanced woodworkers may find many designs too simple or repetitive.
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Plan quality varies – Some are highly detailed, while others feel basic or leave you wanting more.
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Digital-only format – You’ll need to print plans if you prefer working from paper in the shop.
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File management required – With so many downloads, keeping things organized on your computer can be a bit of a chore.
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Making the Most: Tips and Tools for Success
Buying Ted’s Woodworking is just the first step — how you use it makes all the difference. Here are some simple ways to get the most value out of the plans:
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Start small and build up – Begin with an easy project like a picture frame or bookcase. This helps you get comfortable with the instructions and your tools before tackling bigger builds.
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Invest in reliable tools – Quality gear makes projects smoother and more enjoyable. A cordless drill, a pocket hole jig, and a good set of clamps are excellent upgrades if you don’t already own them.
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Stay organized – With thousands of plans available, create folders on your computer by project type (furniture, outdoor, small crafts) or skill level. Print out only what you need for the shop.
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Use the plans as inspiration – Don’t feel locked into following every blueprint exactly. Add your own details, swap out wood types, or change the finish to make each build truly yours.
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Follow directions closely – Feedback from other users shows that careful attention to the steps leads to cleaner, more professional-looking results.
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Level up gradually – The more you build, the more your skills improve. Start simple, then work your way toward larger or more intricate projects to keep growing your confidence.
Bottom line: Ted’s Woodworking isn’t just a plan library — it’s a tool for skill-building. With the right approach (and the right tools), you can turn it into a long-term woodworking resource.
Final Thoughts: Is Ted’s Woodworking Worth It?
At the end of the day, Ted’s Woodworking delivers a massive library of plans that’s hard to beat for the price. Beginners and hobbyists will appreciate the step-by-step instructions, variety of projects, and extra tutorials that make learning less intimidating. The collection does have its quirks — a few basic or repetitive plans, the digital-only format, and the sheer volume of files to sort through — but the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks for most people.
If you’re just getting into woodworking or looking for fresh project ideas to keep you inspired, Ted’s Woodworking is a solid investment. The lifetime updates and 60-day money-back guarantee make it a low-risk choice, and even completing a handful of projects could easily justify the cost.
Bottom line: For anyone eager to learn, practice, and build with confidence, Ted’s Woodworking is worth checking out.
Happy building!!
Great breakdown—I’ve seen Teds Woodworking mentioned in a lot of DIY forums, so it was really helpful to get a more detailed look at what’s actually included.
From my own experience dabbling in woodworking, having clear, step-by-step plans makes a huge difference—especially when you’re just getting started. I’ve bought a few one-off plans online that looked great on the surface but ended up being vague or missing key measurements. So I can definitely see the value in having a big library of well-structured projects all in one place.
One question I had: are the projects inside Teds Woodworking mostly beginner-friendly, or do they lean more toward intermediate to advanced skill levels?
In my opinion, if the plans are as complete as you’ve described—and regularly updated—it could be a worthwhile investment for someone serious about making woodworking a consistent hobby or even side income. Thanks for the honest review!
Thank you for your response, Tommy Potter… to answer your question, the projects inside Ted’s Woodworking are mostly beginner-friendly, with clear, practical, and well-structured plans that include detailed diagrams, material lists, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips to avoid common woodworking mistakes. Although, we are human. There will be mistakes. In my opinion, I agree with you. I believe Ted’s Woodworking would be an excellent investment for someone just starting out with a passion to learn more about woodworking!
Thanks again,
Wayne McComic