Free Woodworking Patterns and Projects Online

The world of online woodworking projects can be difficult to navigate. Many sites claim to offer free patterns, but only after you sign up for a membership. Some patterns are accompanied by pictures so poor you would never be able to sort everything out. And of course there is the ever-present assertion that this woodworking project is "relatively" simple. It is possible for you to spend more time looking for a good woodworking pattern online than actually working on the project itself. If you're looking for free woodworking patterns online, stop worrying! I have done the work for you. Here are 10 free woodworking patterns on websites that are clear and easy to navigate.

First, Free Woodworking Plan.com is a website that links to almost 10,000 free woodworking plans on other websites. Although the plans cover nearly every imaginable woodworking project, the websites that it directs you to are of varying quality. This site is good for giving you 20 different options for building a bookshelf, but you might find one or two decent plans in those 20 free online options. Another similar, but smaller, site is Free Woodworking Plans, with hundreds of free online woodworking patterns listed alphabetically.

Popular Woodworking provides excellent pictures and instructions for their free online woodworking patterns. However, the instructions do take a basic understanding of woodworking for granted. This website would be best utilized by those with some experience in woodworking already, although the "I Can Do That" series is designed to be accomplished by anyone. Simple patterns include this plywood bookcase. If you're looking for something more advanced, try this beautiful set of outdoor benches and table.

My advice is to go straight to the following websites for clear, easy to follow directions and woodworking patterns. First, Home Hardware has a handful of free, online woodworking projects listed alongside other DIY projects. Projects are organized by season and provide a very clear list of supplies and tools, as well as pictures and detailed directions. Their free, online woodworking patterns range from the very simple planter, to the more complicated English summer garden bench.

Lowes also has a handful of small woodworking projects mixed in with other DIY and home improvement articles. Their free online woodworking patterns include the "Intermediate" rated garden bench and the "Advanced" entertainment center. Lowes also has a handy "My Projects" option. By registering at Lowes.com, you can click a button and save a project you're looking at in your own space, saving you the trouble of searching for it later.

If you go to the Home Envy website, you'll have some difficulty searching for free, online woodworking projects, as all the articles have cute names like "Shelf-examination" and "Snug as a bug on a trug," instead of "Bookshelf Pattern" or "Garden Planter." That being said, the cut list and lists of materials and tools could not be clearer or more comprehensive. Although there are no traditional diagrams, there are plenty of high quality pictures of "Tool Girl" Mag Ruffman performing each step. Instructions also include ample notes for anyone who has never worked with wood before, like using shims to protect your wood from clamps. There are also directions for a nice potter's bench and kitchen table. These are not the simplest patterns out there, but that's because they take an extra step for aesthetic value. This is a great site for beginning woodworkers.

Finally, Do-it-yourself.com has free, online woodworking projects ranging from the extremely simple"TV Cabinet in 6 Steps" made out of plywood, to more complicated projects. Although the step-by-step instructions are detailed, this website lacks pictures or diagrams, leaving you guessing what the final product actually looks like.