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What's really in the Ted's Woodworking plan library
Reviewed 30 August 2026 · how we research
The pitch is 16,000+ plans across every category you can name. The reality is a large, sprawling, uneven collection: some plans are genuinely useful, many are duplicates or one-page sketches. This page covers what a plan contains, what's covered, and how to work the library so it pays off.
What a typical plan contains
At its best, a single plan gives you:
- A materials list - boards, sheet goods, hardware, fasteners, finish
- A cutting list with part names, quantities, and finished dimensions
- Dimensioned drawings or a 3D exploded diagram showing how parts meet
- Step-by-step assembly notes, sometimes with a matching video
Completeness is the weak point. Better plans have all four; weaker ones have a drawing and little else, or dimensions that need checking before you commit lumber.
The duplication problem, plainly
Independent reviewers and Trustpilot buyers consistently report that the 16,000 count is inflated by repeated plans, minor variants counted separately, and simple entries that appear to come from free public sources. A realistic way to think about it: you are buying a big bin of project ideas, and part of the job is sorting it. If you go in expecting to keep maybe a few hundred plans you actually like, you will not be disappointed.
Project categories covered
Breadth is the library's real strength. The vendor's own category list includes, among many others:
Vendor-supplied list, partial. Not a guarantee that every category holds high-quality plans.
How to get value from the library
- Pick a project first, then search. Don't try to review 16,000 plans. Decide what you want to build and pull the three or four best matches.
- Read the whole plan before buying wood. Check that the cutting list adds up and the dimensions are consistent across the drawings.
- Bookmark the keepers. Build your own short list of plans that are clearly drawn and complete.
- Use the videos. Where a project has a matching video class, watch it - it fills gaps the written steps leave.
- Use the CAD viewer to resize. If a plan is close but not the right dimensions, the DWG/CAD tool lets you adjust and re-derive the cut list.
FAQ
Does Ted's Woodworking really have 16,000 plans?
The vendor advertises that number. It is unverified and padded by duplication and thin entries. Expect a large collection with a smaller core of genuinely useful plans.
What does a plan include?
Usually a materials list, cutting list, dimensioned or 3D drawings, and assembly steps, though completeness varies plan to plan.
Can you print the plans?
Yes. They are digital files you can view online, download, and print. The CAD viewer opens the editable drawing files.
What file formats are the plans in?
Mostly PDF for viewing and printing, plus editable drawing files you can open in the included DWG/CAD viewer.
Can I edit or resize a plan?
Yes, using the bundled CAD viewer. Re-check the cutting list after any dimension change.
What project categories are covered?
Furniture, sheds and outbuildings, outdoor and garden, shop fixtures, toys, birds and animals, kitchen items, and more.
Do the plans have cutting lists and measurements?
The better plans do. Completeness varies between entries, so read the whole plan before buying wood.
Are there video tutorials with the plans?
150 video classes are included. Some projects have a matching video, many do not.
Are the plans good for beginners?
The simple projects are approachable and come with cut lists. Because clarity is inconsistent, beginners should cross-check measurements and use the video classes.
How do I find a good plan in such a large library?
Decide what to build first, search that category, open the two or three clearest matches, and bookmark the ones that are well drawn.
Keep reading: full review · how access and downloads work · price and value