The Garage Starter Collection · 12 plans

Beginner woodworking plans where every number checks out.

Twelve projects for your garage, patio and home, from a planter box you can finish in an afternoon to a solid workbench. Every plan is modeled in 3D first, so the cut list, the shopping list and every measurement come from the same model.

Get all 12 plans$27

Instant PDF download
Print and phone editions
Inches, with mm alongside

3D render of the Compact Workbench plan — The actual 3D model each plan is drawn from, with its overall dimensions. Drag sideways to turn it, or tap Explode to see every part.

12Plans, from first build to workbench

4Guides, plus a Start Here booklet

136Printable sheets in total

25Square Checks with the exact number

S-01Square ChecksScribe & Square

The plan tells you the number to measure.

Most plans say “make sure it’s square” and leave the rest to you. Ours give you the number.

After each step where it matters, a Square Check tells you what both diagonals should read, or how high a surface should sit. If your tape agrees, you move on. If it doesn’t, you find out before the next screw goes in, not when the project is finished.

Square Check · PS-05 Entryway Bench · after step 2

Measure each end frame corner to corner across the outside of the legs: both diagonals should read 20 7/16" (520 mm).

Square Check · PS-10 Compact Workbench · after step 6

The work surface should stand 34" (864 mm) above the floor at all four corners. If one corner is low, shim under that leg.

Square Check · PS-08 Tiered Plant Stand · after step 2

On each end frame, measure from the bottom front corner of the front post to the top back corner of the last tall post: it should read 38 7/16" (976 mm) on both frames.

PS-11 Five-Shelf Bookshelf, front elevation drawn from the model. Both diagonals: 67 1/16" (1704 mm).

S-02Shopping list & cutting diagramScribe & Square

One trip to the store. Every board accounted for.

Each plan tells you exactly which boards to buy: how many, which size and which length, in the standard 4, 6 and 8 ft lengths you find at any home center.

The cutting diagram then shows which piece comes out of which board, longest pieces first, with the 1/8″ lost to every saw cut already counted. You know what you need before you leave the house.

Real lumber sizes: a 2x4 is 1½″ × 3½″, and the plans are drawn that way.
Every part has a letter and a length in inches and millimeters.
Leftover pieces are marked, so nothing on the list is a surprise.

Cutting diagram from the PS-12 Potting Bench plan: each board drawn to scale with the parts it gives — PS-12 Potting Bench: 12 boards, 29 parts, one cutting diagram.

S-03The drawing setScribe & Square

Every plan is a full drawing set, not a blog post.

Each plan follows the same order, sheet by sheet, so after your first build you know where everything is.

Cover
Size, build time, parts count and the list of sheets.
Shopping list
Boards by length, hardware by count, and the tools you need.
Cut list & cutting diagram
Every part with its letter and length, laid out on the boards you buy.
Drawings
Front, side and top views with the main dimensions.
Exploded view
Every part labeled A, B, C… so you always know which is which.
Assembly
Short steps in build order, each with its own 3D view and Square Checks.
Safety & verification
Plain safety notes and every Square Check on one page.
Cut tags
Print, cut out and tape one to each part as you cut it.
Maker’s label
Fill it in, sign it and stick it under your finished build.

Cover page from the PS-10 Compact Workbench plan — **Cover** PS-10 Compact Workbench

Shopping list page from the PS-07 Rolling Garage Cart plan — **Shopping list** PS-07 Rolling Garage Cart

Cutting diagram page from the PS-12 Potting Bench plan — **Cutting diagram** PS-12 Potting Bench

Drawings page from the PS-11 Five-Shelf Bookshelf plan — **Drawings** PS-11 Five-Shelf Bookshelf

Exploded view page from the PS-08 Tiered Plant Stand plan — **Exploded view** PS-08 Tiered Plant Stand

Assembly page from the PS-05 Entryway Bench plan — **Assembly** PS-05 Entryway Bench

Cut tags page from the PS-03 Two-Tier Shoe Rack plan — **Cut tags** PS-03 Two-Tier Shoe Rack

Maker's label page from the PS-01 Patio Planter Box plan — **Maker's label** PS-01 Patio Planter Box

Real pages from the plans, shown smaller than print size. Tap a page to see it larger.

S-04Phone EditionScribe & Square

Built for the phone in your hand.

Most people read a plan on their phone, standing in the garage. A Letter page shrinks to half its size on that screen, so every plan also comes as a Phone Edition.

Pages shaped like your screen, with 12 pt text you can read without zooming.
One idea per screen: shopping list, cut list, which board each piece comes from, then one assembly step at a time.
The contents page and every step number are links, so you jump straight to where you are.

The Letter edition stays in the download for printing. It adds the cutting diagram, the cut tags and the maker’s label.

Cover screen from the Phone Edition of the Compact Workbench plan — Cover

Boards screen from the Phone Edition of the Compact Workbench plan — Boards

Assembly screen from the Phone Edition of the Compact Workbench plan — Assembly

S-05The 12 plansScribe & Square

Twelve projects, in the order you can build them.

Start with a planter or a shelf and work up to a workbench. Every plan tells you the size, the time and the boards before you start.

Level 1 · 4 plans

First builds

Straight cuts and screws. Most take an afternoon.

PS-0110 sheets

Patio Planter Box

A slatted cedar planter for balconies and patios.

25½ × 13½ × 12 in
2–3 h · 5 boards to buy

PS-028 sheets

Box Ledge Shelf

A clean, hollow ledge shelf that mounts to wall studs.

36 × 7¼ × 4¼ in
1.5–2 h · 2 boards to buy

PS-039 sheets

Two-Tier Shoe Rack

Two slatted shelves that keep the entryway clear.

30 × 12 × 16 in
2–3 h · 4 boards to buy

PS-049 sheets

Entryway Coat Rack Shelf

A shelf and hook rail for coats, bags and keys.

36 × 5½ × 6¼ in
1.5–2 h · 2 boards to buy

Level 2 · 5 plans

Around the house

A frame, a top and a few more parts. A relaxed weekend.

PS-0510 sheets

Entryway Bench

A sturdy two-board bench on a simple 2x4 and 1x4 frame.

36 × 14¾ × 17½ in
3–4 h · 4 boards to buy

PS-0610 sheets

Side Table

A compact table with a lower shelf for the sofa or bedside.

18 × 17 × 22 in
3–4 h · 4 boards to buy

PS-0711 sheets

Rolling Garage Cart

A three-shelf cart on casters that goes where the job is.

30 × 19½ × 28½ in
3–4 h · 10 boards to buy

PS-0810 sheets

Tiered Plant Stand

Three stepped tiers to give every plant its light.

30 × 24¾ × 30 in
3–4 h · 7 boards to buy

PS-099 sheets

Firewood Rack

A simple 2x4 rack that keeps firewood off the ground.

48 × 14 × 36 in
2–3 h · 4 boards to buy

Level 3 · 3 plans

Bigger builds

Taller or heavier pieces with more parts. Take your time.

PS-1010 sheets

Compact Workbench

A solid 4 ft bench for the garage, with a lower shelf.

47½ × 22 × 34 in
4–6 h · 8 boards to buy

PS-1110 sheets

Five-Shelf Bookshelf

A tall bookcase with five shelves, anchored to the wall.

30 × 11¼ × 60 in
4–5 h · 6 boards to buy

PS-1212 sheets

Potting Bench

A garden work station with a backboard and an upper shelf.

47½ × 24¼ × 52¾ in
5–7 h · 12 boards to buy

S-06Also in the downloadScribe & Square

Four guides for what the plans assume you know.

Start Here · 5 sheets
Start Here
How every plan is organized, what “checked in a 3D model” means, and which plan to build first.
G-01 · 4 sheets
Lumber & Hardware Buying Guide
Why a 2x4 is not 2 × 4, which wood for which project, how to pick a straight board, screws, glue and hanging things on walls.
G-02 · 3 sheets
Measure, Cut & Square
Reading the tape, marking once, cutting on the waste side, pre-drilling, and two ways to check square.
G-03 · 3 sheets
Finishing Guide
Sanding in the right order, which finish for which project, even stain on pine, and outdoor projects.
G-04 · 3 sheets
The Minimum Workshop
The tools you really need, what can wait, and four work zones that fit a one-car garage.

S-07How every plan is checked

Checked in a 3D model before it reaches you.

Each project is first built as a 3D model, part by part, at real lumber sizes. A script then checks the model, and only a plan that passes every check becomes a PDF.

Real sizes. Every part matches a board you can buy, at its actual size.
No collisions. No two parts try to sit in the same space.
Everything connects. Every part touches the assembly it is fastened to.
The list covers every cut. The boards on the shopping list hold every part, saw cuts included.

What we don’t claim“Checked in a 3D model” is not the same as “built and tested”. Every plan says so on its first page, and a plan’s status changes only once it has really been built. So dry-fit your parts before you drive screws, and use the Square Checks as you go.

S-08Get the collectionScribe & Square

Everything on this page, in one download.

One payment, no subscription. Print the sheets at home or open them on any phone, tablet or computer.

12 plans, each as a printable PDF and a Phone Edition
4 guides and a Start Here booklet
Shopping lists, cutting diagrams, drawings, cut tags and Square Checks in every plan

Scribe & SquareThe Garage Starter Collection

Contents: 12 plans · 4 guides · Start Here
Sheets: 136 printable
Format: PDF · Letter + phone
Units: Inches (mm)
Delivery: Instant download

$27One-time
payment

Get all 12 plans→

14-day money-back guarantee. If the plans are not what you expected, email us within 14 days and we will refund you.

S-09QuestionsScribe & Square

Questions before you buy

Do I need a workshop or expensive tools?

No. The plans use a saw (miter, circular or hand saw), a drill/driver, a tape measure, a square and a couple of clamps. Each plan lists exactly what it needs, and none of them needs a table saw.

I have never built anything. Where do I start?

With a level 1 plan: straight cuts and screws only. The Start Here booklet suggests which plan to build first, and the guides cover buying lumber, measuring, cutting, finishing and setting up a small workshop.

How do I get the plans?

Right after checkout you get a download link for the PDF files. Save them, print them, or open them on any phone, tablet or computer.

Can I read the plans on my phone?

Yes. Every plan comes in two PDFs: a Letter-size edition to print, and a Phone Edition with pages shaped like your screen, 12 pt text and one step per screen. Open it in your phone’s PDF viewer. The contents page and the step numbers are links.

What wood do the plans use?

Common lumber from any home center: standard 1x and 2x boards (plus 4x4 posts for the garage cart) in pine, fir or cedar. Each plan names the wood and the finish it recommends.

Inches or metric?

US inches, with millimeters next to the main measurements. Board names follow US sizes (1x4, 2x4…).

Have the plans been built?

Not yet by us. Every plan is modeled and checked in 3D, and each one says so on its first page. When a plan has been built and tested, its status will say that too. Until then: dry-fit before you drive screws, and use the Square Checks.

What if I find a mistake in a measurement?

Write to us. We will check it against the model, fix the plan and send you the updated file. You can also use the 14-day refund.

Is this a subscription?

No. It is a single payment of $27.