If you've searched for woodworking plans online, you've almost certainly run into Ted's Woodworking. It promises a huge library of projects for one small payment, and it's advertised heavily. That makes plenty of careful buyers ask the same questions: Is Ted's Woodworking legit? Is it a scam? Is it actually worth the money?
This review answers those questions directly. We cover what you get, what it costs, how the bonuses stack up, where the product is strong, where it falls short, and who should skip it.
Quick Verdict: Is Ted's Woodworking Worth It?
For most hobbyist woodworkers and DIYers, yes, it can be good value, as long as your expectations are realistic.
Ted's Woodworking is a digital library of more than 16,000 woodworking plans. It is commonly priced at a one-time $67 for lifetime access, with monthly additions of new plans. Buying even a handful of individual plans elsewhere often costs about the same, so if you'll build more than a few projects, the math works in your favor.
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It isn't perfect, though. The library is enormous, which can overwhelm beginners. Plan quality and detail vary from project to project. It isn't a structured video course, so someone who has never picked up a tool may want more hand-holding. And like many digital products sold online, it comes with upsell offers you don't have to buy.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars for hobbyists and DIYers, 3 out of 5 for absolute beginners who want guided instruction.
Here's the full breakdown.
What Is Ted's Woodworking?
Ted's Woodworking (often written TedsWoodworking) is a downloadable collection of woodworking plans and project blueprints. It is presented as the work of Ted McGrath, described as a woodworker and educator with more than 25 years of experience.
The pitch is that many online plans are vague, skip cut sheets, or use photos that don't match the instructions, so builders end up guessing at materials. Ted's Woodworking sets out to fix that by putting a large number of plans in one place, each with step-by-step directions.
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In practical terms, you're not buying a single book or course. You're buying access to a searchable plan library, plus a handful of bonus materials. It sits somewhere between a free plan website and a paid, structured woodworking class.
Who Is Ted McGrath?
Ted McGrath is the name behind the product. Reviews describe him as a woodworker with decades of experience who set out to assemble one large, organized collection of plans for builders of every level. As with any creator of a mass-market digital product, it's sensible to judge the product by what's in it rather than by the marketing story around it.
What's Inside Ted's Woodworking? A Look at the 16,000 Plans
The headline feature is the size of the library. Here is what buyers typically get access to.
1. 16,000+ Woodworking Plans
The plans cover a very wide range of projects. Categories commonly include:
Furniture: beds, tables, chairs, desks, dressers, bookcases, benches
Outdoor projects: decks, pergolas, sheds, garden beds, picnic tables, playsets
Storage and organization: cabinets, shelving, workshop storage, closets
Home décor and small projects: picture frames, boxes, signs, planters
Kids' projects: birdhouses, toys, dollhouses, treehouses
Specialty items: boats, workshop equipment, and more
Reviewers describe the range as running from simple items like birdhouses up to complex furniture and structures. That breadth is the main draw. Whatever you want to build next, there's a decent chance a plan for it exists in the library.
2. Step-by-Step Instructions, Diagrams and Material Lists
Plans are delivered in both PDF and DWG formats. The PDFs can be viewed with any standard PDF reader and printed for the workshop. The DWG files are CAD drawings, which are useful if you want to zoom in, check dimensions, or modify a design.
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A good woodworking plan should include a materials list, a cut list, dimensioned diagrams and clear assembly steps. Most plans in the collection are described as including these elements, though, as we discuss below, the level of detail can differ between projects.
3. Monthly Plan Updates
Membership includes new plans added on an ongoing basis, so the library keeps growing. That's a useful perk if you like to have fresh project ideas.
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4. Lifetime Access
Because it's a one-time purchase, you aren't locked into a monthly bill. You can download your plans and use them offline. That suits workshop use, where the internet connection is often patchy.
Ted's Woodworking Bonuses: What Else Do You Get?
The core purchase includes several extras. Bonuses can change over time, so confirm the current list on the official checkout page, but recent reviews list the following:
A DWG/CAD plan viewer, which opens the DWG files included with the plans
About 150 premium woodworking videos
A "how to start a woodworking business" guide
Complete woodworking guides covering fundamentals
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Are the Bonuses Actually Useful?
The DWG viewer is genuinely practical, since without it you can't easily open the CAD files.
The videos are helpful for visual learners and partly offset the fact that the core product is plans rather than a course.
The business guide is a nice extra for anyone thinking of selling what they build.
The general guides are handy references, especially for newer woodworkers.
One caution: sales pages often attach a large "claimed value" to the bonus bundle. One independent review points out that advertised values in the hundreds of dollars may be exaggerated to make the offer look better. Treat the bonuses as pleasant extras rather than the main reason to buy. The real value is the plan library.
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Ted's Woodworking Price: How Much Does It Cost?
The official-style sales pages advertise the package at $67 with bonuses included. That is a single payment for lifetime access rather than a subscription.
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To put $67 in perspective:
Individual premium woodworking plans commonly sell for anywhere from a few dollars to $20 or more each
A single furniture-building course or CAD software license can cost far more
If you build even four or five projects from the library, you've likely matched or beaten what you'd pay buying plans one at a time
One thing to watch: pricing and promotions change. Some pages show discounts, and some sources mention a possible future move toward a subscription model, so check the current price at checkout rather than relying on a review, including this one.
Ted's Woodworking Refund Policy: Can You Get Your Money Back?
Purchases are processed through ClickBank, a well-known digital marketplace, and typically carry a 60-day money-back guarantee. That gives you about two months to explore the plans, try a project or two, and decide whether it's right for you.
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We do recommend a few sensible precautions:
Confirm the guarantee period at checkout. Not every source agrees on the exact length. Some reviews mention 30 days while most say 60, so check your receipt or the order page.
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Save your order confirmation and receipt in case you need to request a refund.
Test the product early. Download a plan or two, open the files, and see whether the content matches what you expected.
Contact support through the channel listed on your receipt if you decide to refund.
A refund window of this length lowers the risk considerably. If the library turns out not to suit you, the financial downside is small.
Is Ted's Woodworking Legit, or Is It a Scam?
This is one of the most-searched questions about the product, so let's address it clearly.
Ted's Woodworking is a real product that delivers what it advertises: a downloadable library of woodworking plans. It is sold through ClickBank, a mainstream marketplace that typically provides a refund window, which lowers buyer risk.
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That said, "legit" and "perfect" aren't the same thing. Here are the real-world concerns worth keeping in mind:
Marketing hype. Sales pages use urgency and big "value" numbers. Ignore the pressure and judge the product on its contents.
A crowded field of affiliate reviews. Many online reviews of this product are written by people who earn commissions, and some are low-quality or overly glowing. Read several sources and give more weight to reviews that discuss downsides.
Optional upsells. There are reports of additional offers after checkout. You don't need to purchase them to use the core library.
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Counterfeit and "free download" pages. Searching for "Ted's Woodworking PDF free download" turns up sites that promise the whole thing for nothing. Avoid them. These pages are commonly used to push malware, phishing forms, or outdated and incomplete files. Buying from the official site is the safe route, and it also gives you the refund guarantee.
So it isn't a scam in the sense of taking your money and giving you nothing. It's a large, mass-market plan library with the usual quirks of that category.
Ted's Woodworking Pros and Cons
Pros
1. Huge variety. With 16,000+ plans, you're very unlikely to run out of ideas. From a simple birdhouse to a backyard shed, there's something for most projects.
2. Low one-time cost. A single payment with lifetime access is easy to justify compared with paying per plan.
3. Useful file formats. PDF for printing and DWG for CAD-style viewing suit both casual builders and detail-oriented ones.
4. Ongoing additions. Regularly added plans keep the library fresh.
5. Good for many skill levels. There's a mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced content, so the library can grow with you.
6. Reasonable risk. With a money-back guarantee, you can test the product before committing.
7. Works offline. Download once and use anywhere, including a workshop with no Wi-Fi.
Cons
1. Overwhelming volume. Reviewers note that the sheer number of plans can make it hard for beginners to know where to start. A library this big needs good search and some patience.
2. Digital only. If you want a bound book to flip through, this isn't that, although you can print the plans yourself.
Who Is Ted's Woodworking Best For?
It's a great fit if you are:
A hobbyist woodworker who wants a steady supply of projects
A DIY homeowner planning specific builds such as shelving, a deck, a shed or furniture
An intermediate builder who already knows the basics and wants plans to work from
Someone who likes to modify designs and appreciates having CAD files to adapt
A side-income maker looking for popular items to build and sell (the business guide can help)
A parent or grandparent looking for kid-friendly weekend projects
You might want to look elsewhere if you are:
A complete beginner who wants a guided, step-by-step course with structured lessons on tools and technique from the ground up
Someone who wants a small number of very polished, professionally tested plans rather than a huge library
A person who won't use more than one or two plans. In that case a single-plan purchase or a free plan may be cheaper
Ted's Woodworking vs. Free Woodworking Plans
A fair question is: why pay at all when there are free plans online?
Free plans:
Cost nothing and can be excellent
Vary hugely in quality and completeness
Are scattered across many websites and channels
Take time to find, compare and verify
Ted's Woodworking:
Costs a one-time fee
Puts a very large catalog in one place
Offers a consistent delivery format (PDF and DWG)
Saves search time and lets you browse by project type
If you enjoy hunting for free plans and only build occasionally, free resources may be enough. If you'd rather have a single organized library and expect to build regularly, paying $67 once can be worth it for the convenience alone.
Ted's Woodworking vs. Other Options
Option Best For Trade-Off
Ted's Woodworking Large variety, one-time cost Volume can overwhelm; quality varies
Free plan websites and videos Occasional projects Inconsistent, scattered
Single premium plans One specific project Costs add up over time
Woodworking courses Learning fundamentals with guidance Higher cost, fewer projects
Magazines and books Curated, tested designs Limited selection per issue
Ted's Woodworking wins on variety and price per plan. Structured courses win on guided learning. Many woodworkers find the two work well together: learn technique from a course, then build a wide range of projects from a plan library.
How to Get the Most Value From Ted's Woodworking
If you decide to buy, these tips will help you make the most of it.
1. Start with a beginner project. Resist the urge to build the biggest thing first. A small, low-cost project helps you judge plan quality and build confidence.
2. Check the plan before buying lumber. Confirm it has a cut list, materials list, dimensioned diagrams and clear steps. If something looks vague, cross-check it with a video or a second plan.
3. Use the search and categories. Browse by project type and skill level so the size of the library works for you rather than against you.
4. Watch the bonus videos early. They can fill gaps in technique and help you get comfortable with the tools.
5. Download and back up your files. Save PDFs and DWG files locally and to cloud storage.
6. Test within the refund window. Build or at least closely review a couple of plans in the first few weeks so you can make an informed decision before the guarantee expires.
7. Adapt plans to your tools and space. Adjust dimensions or materials to suit what you have, and use the DWG files if you like to tweak designs.
8. Skip the upsells unless you have a clear reason. The core library is the product. Add-ons are optional.
Real-World Value: Does the Math Work?
Let's look at the value more concretely. Say you build these five projects over a year:
A workbench
A set of floating shelves
A raised garden bed
A bookshelf
A garden bench
If you bought a premium plan for each, you might spend anywhere from $50 to $100 or more in total, depending on the plans. With the library, the same five projects come from one $67 payment, and you still have thousands of other plans available. For anyone who builds regularly, the value is easy to see. For someone who builds once or twice, it's less compelling.
The other thing to weigh is your time. Hunting through dozens of websites for a decent plan can take hours. A single organized library can reduce that friction significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ted's Woodworking
What is Ted's Woodworking?
It's a digital collection of more than 16,000 woodworking plans, created by Ted McGrath, delivered as downloadable PDF and DWG files, with bonus materials.
Is Ted's Woodworking legit?
Yes. It's a real product sold through a mainstream digital marketplace, with a refund guarantee. It has limitations, but it delivers a large library of plans.
Is Ted's Woodworking a scam?
It isn't a scam in the sense of delivering nothing, but sales pages use aggressive marketing, and many online reviews are affiliate-driven. Read critically, and use the refund window if you're unsatisfied.
How much does Ted's Woodworking cost?
It's commonly listed at $67 as a one-time payment for lifetime access. Prices and promotions can change, so confirm on the official checkout page.
Does Ted's Woodworking have a money-back guarantee?
Most sources report a 60-day guarantee, although a few mention 30 days. Check the terms on your order page.
What formats are the plans in?
PDF and DWG. PDFs open in any PDF reader, and DWG files open in the included CAD viewer.
Is Ted's Woodworking good for beginners?
It can be, especially if you start with simple projects, but it's a plan library rather than a structured course. Total beginners who want lesson-by-lesson instruction may want to pair it with a beginner course or video series.
Do I need expensive tools?
No. Many projects can be built with basic hand and power tools, though larger builds naturally need more equipment.
Can I sell what I build from these plans?
Reviews commonly say yes. Because licensing terms can change, check the current terms on the official site before selling items commercially.
Can I use the plans offline?
Yes. Once downloaded, you can use the files without an internet connection.
Are there new plans added over time?
Yes, monthly additions are commonly reported, which keeps the library growing.
Is there a Ted's Woodworking PDF free download?
Avoid sites offering the product for free. They are frequently unreliable or unsafe, and you'd lose the guarantee and any updates. Buy from the official site.
Are the upsells required?
No. The core library works on its own, and you can decline additional offers.
Final Verdict: Is Ted's Woodworking Worth the Money?
Ted's Woodworking is best described as a big, affordable, lifetime library of woodworking plans. It won't turn a complete novice into a master craftsman on its own, and it won't give every plan the polish of a hand-tested magazine project. But for the price, the variety is hard to beat.
Buy it if you're a hobbyist, DIYer or side-income builder who expects to make several projects and wants everything in one place, with a refund window as a safety net.
Think twice if you're a complete beginner who needs guided lessons, or if you only need a single plan for a single project.
Our advice is simple: try it within the guarantee period, start with a small project, and judge the plan quality for yourself. If it helps you build with more confidence and fewer trips to the lumberyard, it has already paid for itself.
Ready to start building? Explore the full collection of step-by-step woodworking plans and pick your first project today.
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