Plans are only as good as what you can build from them on a Saturday with sawdust on your glasses. This guide covers what to look for in the drawings, instructions and usability of Ted McGrath's plan collection, and how to check each point yourself. It doesn't list exact plan counts, formats or prices, because those change. Confirm current details on the official site before you buy.
First, Know What You're Judging
If you're new to the product, start with What is Ted's Woodworking? for the basics. If you're wondering about the person behind it, see Who is Ted McGrath and is he a real woodworker?. This page sticks to the plans themselves: can you read them, follow them and finish a project?
What Good Woodworking Plans Actually Contain
Whatever the brand, a usable plan has the same bones. Check for these before you judge any pack:
- A materials list with dimensions. Lumber should be listed by thickness, width and length, not just "one board."
- A cut list. Every part should be named, counted and sized.
- Dimensioned drawings. You want several views (front, side, top) plus detail views for joints.
- Numbered steps in build order. Assembly sequence matters more than most people expect.
- Hardware and tool lists. Screw sizes, hinges, glue and finish should be named up front.
How to Check the Drawings
Step 1: Open a sample project, not the sales page
Sales pages show finished photos. Look for a project file you can open and judge as a working document. Whether a sample or preview is offered is something to confirm on the official site.
Step 2: Do the "add it up" test
Pick one assembly, such as a tabletop or a box. Add the part dimensions and see whether they match the overall size stated. If the numbers don't agree on paper, they won't agree in your shop.
Step 3: Look for joint detail
Does the plan show how parts connect (screw locations, dado depth, tenon length), or only a picture of the finished piece? Missing joint detail is the most common gap in plan packs, and it's where beginners get stuck.
Step 4: Check the units and consistency
Make sure measurements are in the units you work in, and that the drawings, cut list and text all use the same part names and sizes.
How to Judge the Instructions
Read the build steps as if you were standing at the bench. A good set tells you what to cut, in what order, and why that order matters. Watch for steps that say "assemble the frame" without saying how, or that skip finishing and hardware placement.
Also check whether the instructions assume skills or tools you don't have. A plan that calls for a table saw, jointer and router table is a different commitment than one built with a circular saw and drill. Plans don't replace safe machine practice. Follow your tool manuals, and for anything that holds weight or carries children (lofts, bunks, playsets, shelving over a bed), have a qualified person review the design and check local building requirements.
Recommended for youWhat to Expect After Buying Ted's Woodworking: Delivery, Login, Download and SetupA Quick Evaluation Table
| What to check | Good sign | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Cut list | Every part named, counted and sized | Only overall dimensions given |
| Drawings | Multiple views plus joint details | Single perspective image |
| Steps | Numbered, in logical build order | Vague or out-of-order steps |
| Tools required | Listed up front | Discovered halfway through |
| Lumber | Standard sizes, minimal waste | Odd sizes you'd have to mill |
| Skill level | Stated or easy to infer | No guidance at all |
Real-World Usability
Format and where you'll use it
Think about whether you'll read plans on a phone, a tablet, a laptop or paper. Small screens make dense drawings hard to read. Check what formats are provided and whether printing is practical for you. Delivery and login details are covered in What to Expect After Buying Ted's Woodworking.
Matching plans to your shop
A big library can be a plus or a distraction. Choose two or three projects you'd actually build, and test each against your tools, space and budget for lumber. Plan prices are small next to material costs, so a plan that wastes a lot of lumber costs you more than it saves.
Adapting plans
Almost every plan needs small changes: a different board width, a thicker top, a different finish. Good plans make that easy because the drawings show how parts relate. Do a dry run with scrap or cheap pine for any piece where you're unsure.
Honest Tradeoffs
- Breadth vs depth: A large collection offers variety, but individual plans may be less detailed than a single premium plan from a specialist. Judge a few, not the average.
- Beginner-friendly vs advanced: Simpler drawings help newcomers, but experienced builders may want more joinery detail and design freedom.
- Digital convenience vs shop practicality: Instant access is handy, but you may need to print or organize files yourself.
Whether it fits depends on your skills and shop, which is what Who Ted's Woodworking Suits and Who Should Skip It walks through.
Before You Buy
- Confirm on the official site what's included, the formats, the current price and the refund terms.
- Read independent feedback and complaints in Is Ted's Woodworking Legit? Reviews, Complaints and Trust.
- List the first three projects you'd build and check each against your tools.
- Weigh everything together in Ted's Woodworking Pros and Cons: Final Verdict Before You Buy.
No plan pack guarantees a good result. Your skill, your tools and your lumber matter just as much. But if the drawings add up, the steps run in order and the tools match your shop, you're in good shape to start cutting.
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