Let’s face it, if you are going to try to build something, it’s always better to have clear direction right? Most people would agree. That is the idea behind using woodworking plans when taking on a woodworking project.

Where can you get plans?

If you know exactly what you need to build, and have the ability to measure and draw it out, you can simply plan out the project yourself. Even if you have a pretty good idea in your head what you want to build, you’d be foolish to at least not attempt to draw it out first so that you can get your measurements set.

Don’t want to plan it out yourself? There’s plenty of places where you can simply buy plans to use for your next project. Just pick up a furniture plan, for example, and follow the details. You’ll build yourself a piece of furniture in no time. Just follow the directions and you are good to go.

It’s a little more complicated than that, of course. You need tools and a workshop, but once you’ve got all that stuff you simply just need some direction.

Another reason that you might want to use plans that you got from an outside source is that you might be able to be more confident in the design of the project, especially if the plans are tried and tested.

What’s worse than building a chair, only to realize that you designed it all wrong and it can’t even support the weight of a person trying to sit on it?

And, of course, using plans can simply be a good way to give kids direction when they undertake their first woodworking projects. You can give them clear guidance and they will get an idea of how to approach woodworking the right way, methodically and patiently.