Ted’s Woodworking Review: The Truth Behind the 16,000 Plans

The "16,000 Plans" Question

If you’ve spent more than five minutes looking for woodworking projects online, you’ve seen the ads for Ted’s Woodworking. It’s the most famous (and sometimes controversial) collection of plans on the internet.

The promise is bold: 16,000 plans for a one-time low price. But is it a goldmine for woodworkers, or just a digital pile of junk? After diving deep into the member's area, here is our honest verdict.

What You Actually Get

Ted’s Woodworking is a massive digital warehouse. It’s not just a PDF; it’s a searchable database covering everything from:

• Small Crafts: Jewelry boxes, birdhouses, and toys.
• Large Furniture: Beds, dining tables, and dressers.
• Outdoor Projects: Decks, sheds, and Adirondack chairs.
• Advanced Shop Projects: Routers, workbenches, and tool storage.

The "Good" (Pros)

1. Variety: You will never need to buy another plan again. Ever.
2. Detailed Lists: Unlike free plans, these give you exact "shopping lists" so you don't overspend at the lumber yard.
3. Video Tutorials: There is a "Shop Class" section with videos that are gold for beginners.
4. DWG/CAD Files: If you’re a pro, you can edit these plans in design software.

The "Not-so-Good" (Cons)

• The Overwhelm: 16,000 is a lot. You need to use the search tool, or you'll get lost.
• Style Variance: Because the plans are collected from different master craftsmen, the "look" of the diagrams can vary between projects.

Is It Worth the Money?

If you were to buy just five individual professional plans from a magazine or a designer, you would easily spend over $100. Ted’s Woodworking gives you thousands of times that value for a fraction of the cost.

Our Verdict: If you are a beginner or a hobbyist who wants to stop searching and start building, it’s a no-brainer. The time you save at the lumber yard alone pays for the product in your first two projects.