The Ultimate Small Shop sales page, captured 2026-09-23
Ultimate Small Shop review
A plan for kitting out a small woodworking shop on a budget without buying the wrong tools
By the RJ Editorial Team. Sales page checked 2026-09-23. Last updated 2026-09-23.
Is it worth it?
If you're looking at this, there's a decent chance you've got a corner of a garage or a shed, a growing list of things you'd like to build, and no real idea what to buy first. Every magazine says every tool is essential. Every forum thread turns into an argument about table saws. So you stall, or you buy something cheap, it dies, and you lose interest. That's the gap this aims at. Chapman's pitch is that you can kit out a functional shop for under $1000, in a small space, without wasting money on junk. The guide covers which tools earn their place, what you can do without, how to work a cramped layout, and where he buys tools cheaply. He claims at least 70% off big box prices from a source he doesn't name on the page. That's his claim, not something you can check before buying, and it'll depend a lot on where you live. What you're really paying for is someone else's buying judgement, from a person who's already made the expensive mistakes. That's genuinely worth something if you're at the starting line and scared of wasting money. It's much less useful if you already own a solid kit, or if you wanted project plans and joinery technique, because that isn't what this is. Treat it as a shopping and layout guide, not a woodworking course.
Pros
- Aimed squarely at beginners with limited space and money
- Focuses on what to skip, not just what to buy
- Instant download, no waiting for delivery
- One off payment, no ongoing billing
Cons
- Price, format and refund terms aren't shown until the order page
- The big savings claim rests on an unnamed source you can't check first
- Under $1000 is still a lot of spending on top of the guide
- No project plans or technique teaching
What you get
A digital guide you download after paying, nothing ships. It's built around setting up a working shop for under $1000: a prioritised tool list with the bare minimum to actually start building, what to skip, how to judge quality without going high end, layout ideas for small or shared spaces, and Ralph Chapman's cheaper tool sourcing. Page count, format and any bonuses aren't stated up front.
Before you buy
- Check the refund window and terms on the checkout page before paying
- Expect a long video pitch and possible add on offers after purchase
- If you're outside the US, assume the tool sourcing tip may not apply to you
Who it suits
Beginners setting up a first shop in a garage, shed or spare corner, who want a shopping list they can trust
Related products
Ted's Woodworking (16,000 Plans)
A big library of woodworking plans for people tired of vague, half-finished instructions
Ryan Shed Plans (12,000 Shed Plans)
A big library of shed blueprints with step-by-step builds and materials lists.
The Self-Sufficient Backyard
Practical off-grid plans for turning a small plot into food, water and power you control
Brain Training for Dogs (Adrienne Farricelli)
Short daily brain games meant to burn off the boredom behind barking, chewing and pulling.
UltraK9 Pro
A daily liquid you add to your dog's food, aimed at coat, joints, digestion and energy
An English Bull Terrier eBook
One family's account of raising a bull terrier, for anyone about to get their first
