Is Ted’s Woodworking Worth It? An Honest Look Before You Buy
If you’ve spent any time around woodworking sites or YouTube, you’ve probably seen the ads for Ted’sWoodworking. Big promises. 16,000+ plans. Lifetime access. Videos. Bonuses. All for less than the price of a nice router bit set.I’ll be upfront with you:
Based on that research, I think there are situations where this bundle can make sense, and situations where you should probably skip it.
I haven’t personally bought Ted’s Woodworking (yet).
I have spent a lot of time digging through reviews, watching breakdowns, and reading what real woodworkers say about it — good and bad.
This page is my straight-talk guide to help you decide if Ted’s Woodworking belongs in your shop.
Affiliate note:If you decide to grab Ted’s Woodworking through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the free projects and tips I share on this site. Thank you for that.
What Is Ted’s Woodworking, Exactly?
Ted’s Woodworking is a large digital collection of woodworking plans and training material marketed as:
“16,000+ done-for-you woodworking plans and projects”
Step-by-step instructions with cut lists and diagrams
Bonus woodworking videos
CAD/DWG plan viewer software
Extra guides on woodworking and even starting a small woodworking business
You get instant online access after purchasing, and there are options (in some offers) to get the content on DVD for an extra fee.
If you like browsing plans for ideas, there’s a lot here to look through.
Step-By-Step Plans (With Caveats)
Most plans come with:
A materials/cut list
Basic diagrams and measurements
Written steps
Some reviewers say the better plans are clear and usable, especially for simple projects. Others say some plans look like they were scanned from old magazines or books and can be grainy or hard to follow.
Video Library & Bonuses
Depending on the offer, you may also see:
A library of woodworking videos (some of which are older public videos)
CAD/DWG plan viewer software
Extra eBooks and guides (general woodworking, small business, etc.)
Again, quantity is big. Quality is mixed.
The Good: Why Some People Still Like Ted’s Woodworking
Let’s give credit where it’s due. Here’s what supporters of Ted’s Woodworking often say:
1. Tons of Ideas in One Place
If you’re the kind of woodworker who loves flipping through plans for inspiration, this bundle feels like a giant idea bank. You’ll likely never build 95% of what’s in there, but it can spark designs and variations for your own projects.
2. Low Cost for the Amount of Content
Compared to buying individual plans or books, the price can look like a steal — especially if you only need a few solid plans to feel like you got your money’s worth.
3. 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Because it’s sold through platforms like ClickBank, there’s typically a 60-day refund policy. That means you can log in, explore everything, and if you decide it’s not for you, you can ask for your money back within that window.
If you’re curious but cautious, that refund window is a big deal.
The Bad: Why Many Woodworkers Don’t Recommend It
Now for the part a typical sales page won’t tell you.
A lot of experienced woodworkers and content creators have serious problems with Ted’s Woodworking. Here are the biggest ones:
1. Questionable Organization
Some reviewers describe the package as a “disorganized mess” — multiple big PDFs, inconsistent layouts, and confusing indexes. That can make it frustrating to find and use specific plans, especially if you’re used to well-designed modern plan sets.
2. Quality Varies A Lot
Reported issues include:
Some plans are clear and usable
Others are vague, missing dimensions, or use old/dated techniques
Some drawings appear grainy or low-resolution when printed
If you’re still learning, a confusing plan is the last thing you need in the shop.
3. Serious Copyright Concerns
One detailed review claims that many of the plans were pulled from old books, magazines, government publications, and other websites, then bundled and resold without permission — which would make the package a pirated collection rather than original content.
That’s a big ethical red flag, and it’s something you should know before you support it with your money.
So… Should You Buy Ted’s Woodworking?
Here’s my honest take based on everything I’ve seen and read.
Ted’s Woodworking Might Be Worth a Look If:
You love browsing a huge variety of plans just for ideas and inspiration
You’re comfortable sorting through some junk to find the gems
You understand that the “16,000 plans” claim is marketing, not a promise of 16,000 immaculate, modern, professionally designed projects
You’re okay with the ethical grey area and are mainly looking for a cheap “idea library”
You’re ready to request a refund quickly if you log in and don’t like what you see
If that sounds like you, Ted’s Woodworking can be a huge pile of ideas for not much money.
✅ If you want to check it out for yourself, you can visit the official Ted’s Woodworking page here ➜ Ted’s Woodworking Official Page →
Just remember: use those first days to really look around and decide if it’s worth keeping.
Who Should Not Buy Ted’s Woodworking
You want highly polished, modern, step-by-step plans with full 3D diagrams and clear photos
You care a lot about supporting original creators and avoiding anything that might be pirated
You don’t have patience for hunting through cluttered files or outdated layouts
You already have good sources for plans (books, magazines, reputable plan sites, YouTube channels) and don’t really need 10,000+ more options
In that case, your money is probably better spent on fewer, higher-quality plans from known designers, books, or online memberships.
My Final Recommendation for Fellow Woodworkers
Because I haven’t personally bought Ted’s Woodworking, I’m not going to pretend I’ve tested every plan or built half the catalog. That wouldn’t be fair to you.
Here’s what I am comfortable saying:
Ted’s Woodworking is not a magical shortcut that will suddenly make you a master woodworker.
It is a huge pile of plans and ideas that some people find useful and others regret buying.
The refund policy is your safety net. If you’re going to try it, go in with your eyes open and evaluate it quickly.
If you decide to give it a shot, my advice is:
Buy it only when you have time in the next week or two to thoroughly explore it.
Make a folder called “Worth Keeping” and only save plans you’d realistically build.
If you don’t find at least a handful of solid, usable plans you’re excited about, ask for a refund within the guarantee period.
⭐ Ready to explore it (cautiously)? Click here to see the current offer for Ted’s Woodworking ➜
Final Thoughts
As woodworkers, we all love a good shortcut — a set of plans that just works so we can get back to sawdust, not spreadsheets.
Ted’s Woodworking is marketed as the ultimate “all-in-one” shortcut. In reality, it’s more like a giant, dusty library: Some shelves are gold, some shelves are junk, and you’ll have to decide whether the digging is worth it.
Whatever you choose, I’d rather you make that decision with your eyes open than fall for flashy marketing.
