Where to Find Woodworking Plans: Free vs Paid (Honest Guide)

Plans save a lot of trial and error, but quality varies widely. This guide explains what a good plan includes and the pros and cons of free and paid sources.

What a usable plan includes

• A cut list with every part, its dimensions and quantity.
• A materials list: lumber sizes, sheet goods, hardware and fasteners.
• Drawings with dimensions from more than one view.
• Step order: what to build first, especially for glue-ups.
• Skill and tool requirements stated up front.

If a plan is just a photo and a few measurements, expect to work out the rest yourself.

Free sources

• Lumber and tool manufacturer sites often publish free project plans.
• Home improvement store project pages.
• Woodworking magazine websites sometimes have free plans as samples.
• Video channels, which are good for technique but often lack a full cut list.
• Public libraries, which lend woodworking books and magazines.

Pros: no cost, plenty of variety. Cons: inconsistent quality, missing cut lists, and sometimes no way to ask questions.

Paid plans and collections

Individual paid plans from designers and magazines are often well tested and complete. Large collections bundle many plans into one purchase.

TedsWoodworking is one such collection, sold through ClickBank. It is marketed as a library of thousands of plans with diagrams and materials lists across furniture, outdoor projects, storage and small crafts.

Things to consider before buying any big collection:

• Size isn’t the same as quality. Very large libraries can include plans of uneven detail and older formatting. Check sample plans if they’re offered.
• Format. Check that you can download and print plans easily.
• Refund policy. ClickBank products come with a refund window set by the vendor; read the current terms on the sales page.
• Your projects. If you only want two or three specific builds, individual plans may be better value.

See the TedsWoodworking product page (affiliate link)

Bottom line

Start with free plans for your first few simple projects. Once you know what kind of furniture or crafts you want to build, a well-reviewed paid plan or a collection can save time. Whatever you choose, check the plan has a full cut list before you buy lumber.