Full Review
Ultimate Small Shop: Build Your Dream Workshop for Under $1,000 — Even in a Tiny Space
9.3
Very Good
Mike Harrison
Woodworking Enthusiast & Product Reviewer
Overview
One of the biggest barriers between wanting to do woodworking and actually doing it is not skill, motivation, or time — it is the perceived cost and complexity of setting up a proper workshop. Ultimate Small Shop removes that barrier entirely.
Created by the same team behind TedsWoodworking, Ultimate Small Shop is a comprehensive guide to designing and equipping a fully functional woodworking workspace on a limited budget and in a small footprint. Whether your available space is a garage, a basement, a garden shed, or even just a corner of a spare room, this guide shows you exactly how to make it work.
The guide challenges the assumption that you need a large, expensive setup to do quality woodworking. Using clever space-saving layouts, smart tool selection, and DIY machine-building plans that can save you thousands compared to buying new, you can have a workshop you are genuinely proud of for under $1,000 — often significantly less.
What's Inside
Ultimate Small Shop walks you through every decision and stage involved in creating your workshop, from initial planning all the way to your first build:
- Space planning — optimised layouts for garages, basements, sheds, and multi-use spaces
- Tool selection guide — what you actually need versus what is nice to have
- Budget tool sourcing — where to buy quality tools without paying retail prices
- DIY machine plans — build your own workshop tools and benches for a fraction of the cost
- Safety and organisation — setting up your space to work safely and efficiently
- Dust control and lighting — essential considerations often ignored by beginners
Alongside the main plans library, members receive access to a complete woodworking guide for beginners, a DWG/CAD viewer so you can open professional plan files, and a 150+ video library demonstrating key techniques.
Key Features
- Complete guide to workshop setup — from empty space to fully functional shop
- Designed specifically for small and limited spaces — no large workshop required
- Budget-focused — full workshop setup achievable for under $1,000
- DIY tool and machine plans save thousands compared to buying new equipment
- Practical layouts tested and optimised for real-world small spaces
- Essential woodworking class included as a bonus
- From the creators of the number one woodworking product on Clickbank
Who Is Ultimate Small Shop Best For?
Ultimate Small Shop is the ideal starting point for anyone who is new to woodworking and needs to set up their first workspace. Rather than making expensive mistakes buying the wrong tools or laying out your space inefficiently, this guide helps you get it right from day one.
It is also an excellent resource for more experienced woodworkers who are moving into a new space and want a structured approach to planning their setup. The space-saving layouts and DIY machine plans alone can save hundreds or thousands of pounds compared to a haphazard approach.
If budget is a concern — as it is for most new woodworkers — the focus on achieving maximum results for minimum spend makes this guide particularly well suited to those starting out with limited funds but big ambitions.
Pros
- Specifically designed for small and tight spaces
- Achievable under $1,000 budget target
- DIY machine plans save significant money
- Practical, tested layouts included
- Bonus woodworking class adds real value
- From trusted creators with proven track record
Cons
- Focuses on setup rather than projects or plans
- Best paired with a plans resource like TedsWoodworking
- DIY machine plans require some basic skills
- Digital only — no physical guide included
Our Veredict
Ultimate Small Shop earns a very good rating for doing what it sets out to do extremely well: giving anyone — regardless of budget or space — the knowledge and confidence to set up a real, functional woodworking workshop. The focus is clear, the advice is practical, and the DIY savings potential alone makes it worth the investment.
For anyone who has been putting off getting started because their space or budget did not feel adequate, this guide provides exactly the clarity and direction needed to take that first step. Pair it with TedsWoodworking for plans and you have everything you need to go from complete beginner to active builder.
WoodProfits: Home Woodworking Business Guide
Turn your woodworking skills into a profitable home business
9.5
Excellent
WoodProfits is a no-fluff, step-by-step blueprint for turning your passion for woodworking into a real income from home. Created by Jim Morgan u2014 who built a $9,000/month woodworking business in a 10x20 foot space u2014 this guide is packed with practical advice on what to make, where to sell it, and how to grow without needing large amounts of capital to get started.
- Proven system for starting a woodworking business with little capital
- 500 top-selling wood craft ideas with real profit potential
- Step-by-step marketing and sales strategies for beginners
- Includes one-on-one coaching as a free bonus
- Targets multiple markets u2014 hobbyists, survivalists, and side-hustlers
TedsWoodworking: 16,000 Woodworking Plans
The world's largest collection of step-by-step woodworking blueprints
9.8
Outstanding
TedsWoodworking is the #1 woodworking product on Clickbank for good reason. With over 16,000 step-by-step plans covering everything from garden furniture to full cabinetry, it's the go-to resource for woodworkers at every skill level. Each plan includes detailed blueprints, a full materials list, and clear instructions — so you spend less time guessing and more time building.
- Over 16,000 projects covering beginner to advanced skill levels
- Over 16,000 projects covering beginner to advanced skill levels
- Covers furniture, garden structures, toys, storage, and much more
- Lifetime access with plans constantly updated and added
- Suitable for home hobbyists and professional woodworkers alike
