Woodshopplans LLC, the company behind WoodshopPlans.com and the Grandpa A’s Woodshop collection of beginner-friendly furniture plans, today announced the 250 Builds Project, a free national woodworking contest designed to help 250 beginners build their first useful piece of furniture.
The contest begins September 1, 2026, as part of the company’s recognition of America’s 250th anniversary year and the practical skills, ingenuity and self-reliance that helped shape the country.
Participants will choose from five Apprentice-level furniture projects created specifically for people with little or no previous woodworking experience. The digital plans will be provided free of charge and will include detailed instructions, material lists, diagrams and beginner-focused guidance intended to remove the uncertainty that prevents many aspiring woodworkers from starting their first project.
“Many people would love to build a coffee table, bookcase or other piece of useful furniture, but they feel shut out by plans that assume they already understand the tools, terminology and techniques,” said Brad Anderson, founder of Woodshopplans LLC. “The 250 Builds Project is designed to prove that beginners can create something sturdy, useful and worth keeping when they are given instructions that actually teach.”
Unlike contests centered on decorative crafts or advanced woodworking, the 250 Builds Project focuses on functional furniture that participants can use in their homes. Each project is designed to help the builder develop foundational skills while completing a finished piece that provides an immediate sense of accomplishment.
Participants who complete their projects will be invited to submit photographs of their finished builds. Selected projects may be featured on WoodshopPlans.com and the company’s social-media channels, creating a public collection of first-time builders learning practical woodworking skills during the nation’s milestone year.
The initiative reflects the mission behind Grandpa A’s Woodshop: making furniture building more approachable for beginner-to-intermediate DIY woodworkers.
Traditional woodworking plans are frequently written for builders who already understand common joinery, tools and construction methods. Grandpa A’s Apprentice plans take a different approach by explaining the process in greater detail, reducing assumptions about previous experience and helping builders understand why each step matters.
The mission also has personal roots. Anderson’s great-great uncle built furniture by hand during the 1800s, when woodworking knowledge was commonly passed from one generation to the next. Woodshopplans LLC was created to help restore that connection by combining traditional pride in craftsmanship with clear digital instruction for today’s builders.
“My great-great uncle did not have power tools, online videos or digital plans, but he understood the value of creating something lasting with his own hands,” Anderson said. “We want to preserve that sense of pride while giving modern beginners a practical and less intimidating way to get started.”
Registration and complete contest rules will be available through WoodshopPlans.com. Plans and program support will be provided free to eligible participants. Builders will be responsible for obtaining the materials and tools required for their selected projects.
The 250 Builds Project begins September 1, 2026. Participation details, project previews and contest updates will be published on the WoodshopPlans.com website and social-media channels.
About Woodshopplans LLC
Woodshopplans LLC creates detailed digital furniture plans for beginner-to-intermediate DIY woodworkers. Through WoodshopPlans.com and its Grandpa A’s Woodshop plan collection, the company helps aspiring builders develop practical skills and create attractive, functional furniture. Its guiding principle is Build Better. Build Smarter.
CONTACT:
Brad Anderson
Founder, Woodshopplans LLC
Email: brad@woodshopplans.com
Facebook: Woodshopplans / Grandpa A’s Woodshop
Instagram: @woodshopplans
TikTok: @woodshopplans