Free guides
Woodworking guides for weekend builders
Plain-English guides to help you choose a project, buy the right wood, understand joints and plans, and set up a starter tool kit. No fluff, no fake reviews, updated Nov 15, 2026.
All guides
Projects
10 easy woodworking projects for beginners
Weekend-sized builds that teach one skill at a time.
Outdoor projects
How to build a shed: a beginner’s planning guide
Permits, foundations, framing and a materials checklist.
Materials
Types of wood for woodworking: what to use and when
Pine, poplar, oak, maple, cedar and plywood compared.
Techniques
Woodworking joints for beginners: 9 joints explained
Butt to dovetail, with diagrams and the tools for each.
Techniques
How to read woodworking plans: drawings, cut lists and lumber sizes
Exploded views, cut lists and the 2×4 that isn’t 2 by 4.
Tools
Woodworking tools for beginners: a starter kit you can build slowly
A starter kit you can build up slowly, safety first.
Our review
TedsWoodworking: is it worth US$67?
Our honest look at the plan library: what’s inside, real sample pages, the price, the 60-day refund, and the downsides the sales page doesn’t mention.
Read the review