Ted's Woodworking vs Free Plans: Is Paying for a Plan Library Worth It?
Quick answer
Free woodworking plans from sources like Ana White, Kreg, Woodcraft, Instructables and university extension services are enough for most single projects, from birdhouses to workbenches and sheds. A paid library such as Ted's Woodworking ($67 one-time at checkout on October 9, 2026) mainly saves search time by putting many plans in one place. There is no legitimate free full copy of the paid library; the vendor's free 50-plan sample via email opt-in is the safe way to preview it.
The short answer
For most single projects, free woodworking plans are enough. Reputable free sources publish complete, legal plans for birdhouses, cutting boards, workbenches, bookshelves, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, raised beds, step stools and toy boxes. A paid library such as Ted's Woodworking mainly sells convenience: many plans in one members area, in a consistent PDF format, for a one-time $67 at checkout (checked October 9, 2026). Whether that is worth paying depends on how many projects you plan to build and how much time you spend hunting for a plan you trust.
This guide compares free and paid options project by project, gives a checklist for judging any plan, and explains what to know before searching for a free PDF download of a paid collection.
Free vs paid, project by project
The table below covers 10 projects beginners search for most often. Free sources are named so you can find them; plan availability on any site changes over time, so search the site for the project name. Nook21 has not built from these plans; the notes describe what the sources publish.
| Project | Where to find a good free plan | What a paid library adds |
|---|---|---|
| Birdhouse | NestWatch (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) publishes free nest box plans sized for specific bird species; many university extension services do the same | More decorative styles in one place; species-specific sizing is often better on the free bird-focused sites |
| Cutting board | Woodcraft's free plans section, Instructables, and many woodworking magazine sites | Little. A cutting board barely needs a plan; technique matters more than drawings |
| Workbench | Ana White and Kreg's free plan site both publish 2x4 and plywood bench plans with cut lists | Several bench styles side by side, useful if you are comparing sizes before you buy lumber |
| Bookshelf | Ana White, Kreg, Instructables | A wider range of sizes and joinery styles, from screwed boxes to dado-built cases |
| Picnic table | Ana White and Kreg both offer classic and modern versions | Variations such as folding bench tables or octagon tables in one collection |
| Adirondack chair | Ana White and Kreg publish chair plans; some free versions include full-size curve templates | Many chair variants, though check that curved parts come with templates or a grid |
| Raised garden bed | University extension services, Ana White, Kreg | Little. Raised beds are simple boxes; extension services also cover soil and lumber choice |
| Shed | Ana White and some extension services publish small shed plans | More sizes and roof styles, plus framing details; a dedicated shed collection may cover this better |
| Step stool | Ana White, Kreg, Instructables | More styles (folding, two-step, kids' stools) |
| Toy box | Ana White, Kreg, Instructables | Variations with benches, bookshelves or lids; check lid-support hardware on any toy box plan |
Two patterns stand out. First, the simplest projects (cutting boards, raised beds, basic boxes) gain almost nothing from a paid plan. Second, the projects where a plan really matters, such as sheds, chairs with curves and larger furniture, are well covered by a handful of free sources, but you may need to try a few plans to find one that matches your tools and lumber.
If you are just starting out, our list of woodworking projects for beginners ranks these projects by difficulty, and the workbench plans for beginners guide walks through choosing a first bench.
What you actually get with a paid library
According to the vendor, Ted's Woodworking includes "16,000+" plans in an online members area, mostly as PDF files and many also as DWG drawings, plus four bonuses: a DWG/CAD viewer, 150 videos, a woodworking business guide and a set of woodworking guides. A custom plan request is also included. These figures are vendor claims. A 2014 UKWorkshop forum member who looked through the collection counted about 2,500 distinct plans, and a 2015 Woodshop News column and a 2023 ToolGuyd post criticized parts of the marketing.
Price and terms we checked on October 9, 2026:
- $67 one-time at the ClickBank checkout, with three optional add-ons ($14.95, $9.95 and $7.95).
- The vendor's funnel shows further optional offers after purchase. The sales page also refers to a $39/month standard price, but no monthly option was offered at checkout.
- The vendor advertises a 60-day money-back guarantee. Refunds go through ClickBank at clkbank.com; check the return terms shown on your ClickBank receipt.
The practical value of a library like this is not access to plans you could never find elsewhere. It is having many plans in one searchable place, in a similar format, without visiting a dozen sites. Our full Ted's Woodworking review covers what buyers report about plan quality, access and support.
Free plans are enough if... / A paid library may save time if...
| Free plans are enough if... | A paid library may save time if... |
|---|---|
| You plan to build one to five projects this year | You want a steady stream of projects across many categories |
| Your projects are common (benches, shelves, tables, beds) | You like browsing many variations before choosing what to build |
| You are comfortable comparing two or three plans and picking the best | You prefer one consistent format instead of each site's own layout |
| You want plans with build photos and reader comments | You want offline PDFs or CAD files you can keep in one folder |
| Your budget for the hobby is going to lumber and tools first | You value your search time more than $67 |
| You mainly need one big project, such as a shed | You want the vendor's custom plan request or the video bonuses |
A middle path: the vendor offers a free sample of 50 plans plus a 440-page guide through an email opt-in. Downloading that sample lets you judge the drawing style and level of detail before deciding whether the full library is worth paying for.
How to judge any woodworking plan: a checklist
Free or paid, plan quality varies. Before you buy lumber, check the plan against this list. A plan that fails two or more items will likely cost you extra trips to the store or a wasted board.
- Cut list. Every part is listed with a name, quantity, thickness, width and length. Without a cut list you have to calculate parts from drawings, which is where most errors start.
- Material list. Lumber is listed by nominal size and length (for example, "three 2x4s at 8 feet"), plus sheet goods, screws, glue and hardware. Good plans also note the actual board size, since a 2x4 measures about 1-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches.
- Tool list. The plan says which tools it assumes. A plan that needs a table saw and a router is a poor fit if you own a circular saw and a drill.
- Exploded or assembly drawings. At least one drawing shows how the parts fit together, ideally with step-by-step views in build order.
- Dimensions are consistent. Add up the parts in one direction and compare with the overall size. If a shelf is listed at 30 inches but the inside width works out to 29 inches, the plan has an error. This is the single best quick test of a plan.
- Joinery and fasteners are specified. The plan says which joint, which screw length and where glue goes, not just "attach."
- Units are clear. Imperial and metric are not mixed without labels.
- Finishing and safety notes. Outdoor projects should mention suitable wood or finish; children's furniture should address tip-over risk and lid hardware.
Free plans from established sites usually do well on items 1 to 4 because they are built and photographed by the author. Large paid collections can be uneven, since plans may come from different sources and drafting styles, so apply the same checklist there too.
About "free download" and "PDF" searches for paid plans
Searches for a free PDF download of Ted's Woodworking turn up file-sharing pages, forum posts and PDFs uploaded to unrelated websites. There is no legitimate free full copy of the paid library. The only free material from the vendor is the 50-plan sample offered through the email opt-in on the vendor's site.
Pirated plan packs carry real risks:
- Malware. Large "plan pack" downloads, especially ZIP or EXE files, are a common way to deliver malware and adware.
- Copyright. Copying and sharing a paid collection without permission infringes the seller's rights.
- Incomplete or altered files. Shared copies may be missing drawings or pages, which defeats the purpose of a plan.
If what you really want is a free woodworking plan in PDF form, you do not need a pirated pack. Many free sources offer printable plans or print-friendly pages, and some extension services publish their plans as PDF fact sheets. Use your browser's print-to-PDF option on any free plan page to save a copy for the shop.
Where free printable woodworking plans come from
Legitimate free plans generally come from five kinds of sources:
- Independent plan sites such as Ana White, which publishes furniture and outdoor plans with cut lists and build photos.
- Tool makers such as Kreg, whose free plan site is built around pocket-hole joinery. Expect the plans to assume their jigs.
- Retailers such as Woodcraft, which offers a free plans section, and home-improvement stores with project guides.
- Community sites such as Instructables, where quality varies widely, so the checklist above matters most here.
- Public institutions such as university extension services and NestWatch, which publish practical plans for birdhouses, raised beds and farm or garden structures.
Free plans are free to build from for personal use, but they are still copyrighted. Do not repost or sell the PDFs themselves.
A note on sheds and other big projects
Sheds are where plan quality matters most, because mistakes in framing, roof pitch or foundation are expensive to fix. Free shed plans exist, but check them carefully against local building rules, which may require a permit above a certain size. Our how to build a shed guide covers foundations, framing and permits, and our My Shed Plans review covers a paid option focused on sheds.
Bottom line
Free woodworking plans cover every project in this guide well enough for a careful beginner. Paying for a library is a convenience purchase, not a requirement. If you build often and value having many plans in one place, a one-time paid collection can save search time; if you build a few projects a year, start with free sources, use the checklist, and try the vendor's free 50-plan sample before spending anything.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find free woodworking plans?
Ana White, Kreg's free plan site, Woodcraft's free plans section, Instructables, NestWatch and many university extension services publish free plans for common projects such as workbenches, bookshelves, picnic tables, birdhouses and raised garden beds.
Is Ted's Woodworking worth it compared with free plans?
It depends on how much you build. For a few projects a year, free plans are usually enough. If you build often and want many plans in one members area in a consistent PDF format, the $67 one-time price may save search time. The vendor's 16,000+ plan count is a vendor claim; a 2014 forum member counted about 2,500 distinct plans.
Is there a free PDF download of Ted's Woodworking?
No legitimate free full copy exists. The vendor offers a free sample of 50 plans plus a 440-page guide through an email opt-in. Pirated plan packs found through download searches can carry malware and infringe copyright.
How do I know if a woodworking plan is good?
Check for a complete cut list, a material list with lumber sizes and hardware, a tool list, exploded or step-by-step assembly drawings, and dimensions that add up to the stated overall size. A plan missing two or more of these is likely to cause mistakes.
Can I print free woodworking plans?
Yes. Many free plan sites offer printable pages or PDFs, and you can use your browser's print-to-PDF option to save a copy for personal use. Free plans are still copyrighted, so do not repost or sell the files.
Reviews mentioned in this guide
Ted's Woodworking
A cheap, very broad plan library worth trying only if you will check the plans critically within the 60-day refund window.
My Shed Plans
A low-cost, refundable shed plan library that suits first-time builders who want lots of choice, as long as you treat the 12,000-plan figure as a vendor claim and check local building rules.