A plan is a set of instructions written by someone who isn't standing in your shop. Some are clear enough to build from cold. Others leave you guessing at step four with a half-cut board in your hand. This checklist works on any plan, whether it's a free download, a magazine project, or one from a large pack like Ted's. Run it before you buy lumber, not after.
Step 1: Check the Drawings Before Anything Else
Look for the views you need
A buildable plan usually has more than one view. Look for:
- Front, side and top views, drawn to scale or fully dimensioned
- An exploded or assembly view showing how parts meet
- Close-ups of joints or tricky areas
If there is only one rough sketch or a single photo, treat the plan as a starting idea, not a set of instructions.
Check that the dimensions add up
Pick two or three parts and do the arithmetic. Do the shelf lengths plus the side thicknesses equal the overall width? Plans with small errors are common. Plans where the numbers don't agree with each other are a warning sign. Do this on paper before cutting.
Step 2: Read the Cut List and Materials List
- Actual versus nominal sizes. A "2x4" is not 2 by 4 inches. Does the plan say which it means?
- Every part labelled. Letters or numbers on the drawing should match the cut list.
- Hardware listed. Screws, hinges, glue and fasteners should be named with sizes.
- Waste allowance. Few plans include it. Add your own margin for mistakes and bad boards.
Step 3: Match the Plan to Your Tools and Skills
This is where many builds go wrong. A plan can be perfectly good and still wrong for your shop. Ask:
- What tools does it assume? A table saw, router and jointer are a different commitment from a circular saw and drill.
- Which joints does it use? Pocket screws and butt joints are forgiving. Dovetails and mortise-and-tenon need practice and sharp tools.
- Does it say anything about difficulty? If it doesn't, judge it yourself from the joinery.
If your tool list is short, see whether Ted's includes plans you can build with basic tools. If you're after harder work, this page covers advanced plans.
Step 4: Look at the Instructions
Sequence matters
Good instructions tell you what to do in order and why. For example, they say to drill pilot holes before assembly, or to finish an inside face before it becomes unreachable. If steps jump from "cut the parts" to "attach the top" with nothing between, expect to fill in gaps yourself.
Photos and diagrams
Photos help, but only if they show the actual step. Generic pictures of a finished piece don't count as instructions.
Step 5: Consider Where the Piece Will Live
Indoor and outdoor builds need different thinking. Outdoor projects need rot-resistant wood or proper finish, fasteners rated for weather, and joints that drain water. A plan that ignores this is incomplete. If outdoor work is your goal, check what Ted's offers for sheds, benches and planters and verify the materials advice yourself.
Recommended for youThe 16,000+ Plan Claim in Ted's Woodworking: What It Means and How to Judge Quality vs QuantityStep 6: Safety Notes
A plan should not make you do something unsafe, but not all do. Large structures like sheds, loft platforms or anything people stand or sit on need sound structural design. For load-bearing work, check local building codes and consider asking a qualified professional. Wear eye and hearing protection, and follow each tool's manual, whatever the plan says.
Step 7: Judge Volume Against Usefulness
With a big collection, the number of plans matters less than how many you'd actually build, and how well each is drawn. Read the 16,000+ plan claim: quality versus quantity for how to think about that, and what's inside Ted's Woodworking plans for a closer look at the contents.
Quick Comparison: Plan Types
| Plan type | Usual strength | Usual tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Free online plan | No cost, quick to try | Quality varies widely; may lack cut lists |
| Magazine or book project | Edited, often tested | Fewer projects; one at a time |
| Large plan pack | Lots of choice in one place | Detail and style may differ from plan to plan |
| Custom or designed by you | Fits your space and tools | Takes time and design skill |
A One-Minute Checklist
- Multiple views and consistent dimensions?
- Complete cut list and hardware list?
- Tools and joinery within your reach?
- Steps in a sensible order?
- Suitable for the place it will be used?
- Structural or safety questions answered, or flagged for a professional?
Before You Buy Any Pack
Preview sample plans if the seller offers them, and run the checklist on one or two. Confirm current pricing, formats, bonuses and refund terms on the official Ted's Woodworking site, since those details change and aren't something to take from a third party. Then see our review page for how the contents compare against what you need. A pack that suits a shop full of tools may not suit yours, and the checklist will tell you either way.
Keep reading
Does Ted's Woodworking have plans for advanced woodworkers?Short answer: probably only partly. Ted's Woodworking is generally pitched at beginners and hobbyis…
Does Ted's Woodworking include plans you can build with basic tools?Some of the plans can be built with basic tools, but not all of them, and it depends on the project…
Does Ted's Woodworking include outdoor project plans like sheds, benches and planters?Yes, Ted's Woodworking is marketed as including outdoor projects such as sheds, benches and planter…