I'm a beginner woodworker, and I've recently bought some woodworking plans that left me really disappointed. I expected a lot more value for the price, and I'm curious what others think about this. When you purchase woodworking plans, what do you expect in terms of quality, layout, and content? For example, how many pages do you think it's reasonable to have, and what kind of guidance do you find essential? I'd love to hear about your experiences and what features make a plan worth the cost, along with any frustrations you've had!
3 Answers
I've had mixed experiences with plans. I once got a $5 set that barely provided more than images, but the $30 cutting board plans I bought were comprehensive and 30 pages long! My friend bought some advanced plans for $50 that were incredible—complete with reasons behind each step. It's a balance of price and what you're getting; sometimes, a higher price comes with a lot more value for someone looking to learn more.
When it comes to woodworking plans, expectations can really vary. Ideally, you want to see drawings with dimensions, an exploded view of tricky joinery, and a cut list. For something solid, I'd say expect to pay between $7 and $15. I once got a really great set of plans with build notes and an hour of video for about $20. In contrast, I splurged $90 on comprehensive plans for a chest of drawers that came with 20+ hours of video like a full course, and honestly, it was worth every penny!
I agree that cut lists and material lists are essential! They can really minimize waste. I bought $10 plans for a loft bed, and although I modified it quite a bit, it provided a useful starting point with key details like railing height and screw quantities. It's not about getting everything perfect; it’s about having guidance for those little but important questions.
Exactly! Those little details make a huge difference, especially for beginners. It’s not just about the final piece but understanding how to get there safely and efficiently.