Ted's Woodworking is marketed on a big number: 16,000+ plans. A number like that tells you how large the library is. It doesn't tell you whether the plans suit your skill level, tools or budget. Here is how to read the claim, and how to check quality yourself before you build anything.
What the 16,000+ claim does and doesn't tell you
It's a marketing figure, and I can't verify the count or how it's tallied. Confirm the current wording, and what's actually included, on the official site. Whatever the total, these questions matter more:
- How is a "plan" counted? A full project with drawings and a cut list is one thing. A variation of the same piece in a different size could be counted separately.
- Is there overlap? Large libraries often contain many similar designs. Fifty bookshelf plans aren't fifty different skills.
- Can you find what you need? A huge library you can't search is slower to use than a small one you can.
Quantity helps, up to a point
Volume has real upsides. If you build across categories, such as furniture, outdoor pieces, shop storage and gifts, a big library means you're less likely to hunt down a one-off plan elsewhere. It also lets you compare several takes on the same project and pick the one that suits your tools.
The tradeoff is that quality tends to vary in any large collection. Some plans will be detailed and others thinner. Treat the headline number as a menu size, not a promise that every item is equally good.
How to judge quality: a practical check
Pick three or four plans that match what you'd really build, and run each through the steps below. For a fuller version, see our checklist for judging any plan, Ted's included.
1. Look for a complete materials and cut list
A usable plan lists every part with dimensions, quantities and material type, plus hardware. If you have to work out the parts yourself, the plan is a sketch, not instructions.
2. Check the drawings
Look for dimensioned views (front, side, top), exploded or detail drawings for joinery, and consistent measurements. Add up a few dimensions yourself. If the numbers don't agree on paper, they won't agree in the shop.
3. Read the steps in order
Good plans give a sensible build sequence and say which joints, fasteners or glue-ups come when. Vague steps are fine for an experienced builder and frustrating for a beginner.
4. Match the plan to your tools
Check what tools each plan assumes. If you work with a modest kit, see whether the library has options for you in plans you can build with basic tools.
5. Check the skill range
Beginner-friendly doesn't mean challenging enough later. If you're past the basics, see whether there's depth in plans for advanced woodworkers.
6. Check the categories you care about
If you want sheds, benches or planters, look at the specifics in outdoor project plans. Outdoor builds also raise questions about wood choice, fasteners and weather exposure, so check the plan covers them.
Recommended for youHow to Read Woodworking Plans: A Checklist for Judging Any Plan, Ted's IncludedQuantity vs. quality at a glance
| What you're weighing | Quantity signal | Quality signal | How to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Library size | Headline plan count | Distinct, useful projects | Browse a category and count genuinely different designs |
| Detail | Many plans listed | Cut lists, dimensioned drawings | Open several samples and compare |
| Skill fit | Broad range claimed | Clear difficulty and tool assumptions | Look for a plan at your level and one above it |
| Findability | Everything in one place | Sensible organization | Try finding a specific project quickly |
| Practical value | Variety of categories | Plans you'd actually build | Make a shortlist of five you want |
Safety and sanity checks
- Plans don't replace safe practice. Follow your tools' manuals and use appropriate guards, eye and hearing protection, and dust control.
- Load-bearing projects need extra thought. For anything that holds weight or people, such as bunk beds, shelving, play structures or stairs, check dimensions and fasteners against local building codes or a qualified professional.
- Do a test build. Make a cheap mock-up from scrap or inexpensive stock before cutting good lumber.
A sensible way to decide
- Write down five projects you'd actually like to build in the next year.
- Check what the official site shows for those categories and confirm the current details there, including what's included, pricing and any refund terms.
- Run the quality checks above on whatever samples or previews you can see.
- Read what's inside Ted's Woodworking plans to see how the collection is laid out and compare it to your shortlist.
If most of your five projects are covered, with enough detail for your skill level and tools, the library's size is a bonus. If you only needed one or two plans, a smaller, focused source may serve you just as well. The 16,000+ figure is worth a look, but your own checks tell you far more than the count does.
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…