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Why Thousands of Men Are Ditching Furniture Stores and Building Their Own

A certified master woodworker just released his personal collection of 16,000 step-by-step plans — and it's changing everything for DIY beginners.

By Jake Morrison • February 21, 2026 • 8 min read

If you've ever walked through a furniture store, looked at the price tag on a simple bookshelf, and thought "I could build that myself" — you're not alone. Millions of Americans feel the same way every year. But here's the thing most people don't talk about: actually finding good woodworking plans is incredibly frustrating.

You search online and find plans that are missing measurements. Or they assume you already have $5,000 worth of tools. Or the "step-by-step" instructions skip about twelve steps. You buy the lumber, get halfway through, realize the plans are garbage, and now you've wasted $200 in materials and an entire weekend.

Sound familiar? We've heard this story from hundreds of our readers. And it's exactly why we were so intrigued when we stumbled across something that claims to solve this problem entirely.

60-Day Money-Back Guarantee • Limited-Time Pricing

We Found a Master Woodworker's Personal Collection of 16,000 Plans

Detailed woodworking plans spread across a table

A sample of the detailed plans included in the collection — each with precise measurements and step-by-step instructions.

His name is Ted McGrath, and he's a certified master woodworker, educator, and member of the Architectural Woodwork Institute. Over the past two decades, Ted has been quietly assembling what might be the most comprehensive collection of woodworking plans ever created.

We're talking about 16,000 detailed, step-by-step plans covering everything from simple birdhouses to elaborate dining room sets, outdoor pergolas, storage solutions, children's furniture, workshop jigs — you name it. Every plan includes precise measurements, materials lists, cutting diagrams, and clear instructions that, as Ted puts it, "practically build themselves."

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Even If You've Never Picked Up a Saw

Hands using a hand plane on wood

Here's what really caught our attention: these plans are specifically designed for beginners. We've reviewed woodworking resources before, and most of them assume you already know the difference between a dado joint and a dovetail. Ted's approach is different.

Each plan includes a complete materials list (so you know exactly what to buy at the hardware store), a cutting list with precise measurements, detailed diagrams from multiple angles, and step-by-step instructions written in plain English. Several of our testers — including one who had literally never used a power tool — were able to complete their first project in a single weekend.

"I was honestly skeptical. I'm 58 years old and the most I'd ever built was an IKEA bookshelf. But I followed the plans for a farmhouse coffee table and my wife thought I bought it from Pottery Barn."

— Robert K., Ohio

Step-by-step plans for every skill level

The Math That's Making Furniture Stores Nervous

Beautiful handmade wooden dining table in a modern home

A dining set built from Ted's plans. Estimated retail value: $2,800. Materials cost: under $350.

Let's talk numbers. A solid wood dining table at a furniture store runs anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000. The materials to build one yourself? Usually under $300. A custom bookshelf? $800-$1,200 retail. DIY materials? About $120. An outdoor Adirondack chair set? $600+ retail. Materials? Under $80.

When you add it up, the average person who builds just 3-4 pieces of furniture per year saves $3,000 to $8,000 compared to buying retail. And that's not counting the satisfaction of building something with your own hands — or the fact that handmade furniture often lasts generations longer than mass-produced alternatives.

ProjectStore PriceDIY CostYou Save
Farmhouse Dining Table$2,200$280$1,920
Built-in Bookshelf$1,100$120$980
Adirondack Chair Set (4)$800$95$705
Storage Shed (8x10)$3,500$800$2,700
Total Savings$6,305

Build Gifts, Furniture, Outdoor Projects — Literally Anything

Handmade wooden garden bench with planter

The sheer variety of projects in this collection is staggering. We're talking about plans for beds, tables, chairs, desks, bookshelves, cabinets, sheds, gazebos, playhouses, workbenches, jewelry boxes, cutting boards, wine racks, dog houses, birdhouses, planters, pergolas, decks — and that's barely scratching the surface.

Several readers told us they've started building custom gifts for family and friends. One reader built a handmade rocking chair for his daughter's nursery. Another built matching nightstands for his parents' anniversary. These are the kinds of gifts you simply can't buy — and they become family heirlooms.

Some enterprising readers have even started selling their creations at local craft fairs and on Etsy. When your materials cost $80 and the finished product sells for $400-$600, the math gets very interesting very quickly.

Instant digital access • Works on any device

What's Included (It's More Than Just Plans)

Beyond the 16,000 plans themselves, Ted has bundled in several bonuses that honestly make this feel like a steal:

DWG & CAD Plan Viewer

$77 Value

View and print plans in professional CAD format. Zoom in on any detail, rotate views, and print at any scale.

150+ Premium Video Tutorials

$97 Value

HD video walkthroughs for the most popular projects. Watch over Ted's shoulder as he builds each piece from start to finish.

How to Start a Woodworking Business

$49 Value

A complete guide to turning your new skill into a side income or full-time business. Covers pricing, marketing, and selling.

60-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Peace of Mind

Try everything risk-free. If you're not completely satisfied for any reason, get a full refund — no questions asked.

What Our Readers Are Saying

"I've been woodworking for 30 years and I still found plans in here I'd never seen before. The detail level is incredible. Worth every penny."
Mike T. — Texas
"My wife wanted a farmhouse table for our dining room. Stores wanted $3,000+. I built one for under $300 using Ted's plans. She loves it."
David R. — Michigan
"I'm a complete beginner — 62 years old, never built anything. I just finished my first project (a garden bench) and I'm hooked. The plans made it so easy."
James P. — Florida
"I started selling cutting boards and small furniture pieces at our local farmers market. I've made back the cost of the plans 100x over."
Steve L. — Oregon
Limited-Time Offer

This Collection Won't Stay at This Price

Due to viral popularity, Ted has been offering the entire 16,000-plan collection at a fraction of what it's worth. But he's told us this pricing is temporary. If you're even remotely interested in woodworking, now is the time to lock in access.

Regular: $297
$67
One-time payment

Backed by a 60-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee.

Editor's Note: We reached out to Ted's team for comment on the pricing. They confirmed that the current $67 price point is a promotional offer and will increase once they hit their enrollment target. We'll update this article if and when that happens. In the meantime, if you're interested, we'd recommend acting sooner rather than later.

Instant access • 60-day guarantee • All bonuses included