After 15 years of weekly videos and over 1.5 million subscribers, YouTube woodworker Steve Ramsey announced he is stepping back from regular video production on his beloved Woodworking for Mere Mortals channel.
The announcement, made during his January livestream, marks the end of an era for beginner woodworking content on YouTube. Ramsey, who started the channel in 2008, thanked viewers for their years of support and explained that while new weekly videos will wind down, all existing content will remain available indefinitely.
A Legacy of Accessible Woodworking
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What set Ramsey apart from other woodworking YouTubers was his focus on accessible projects using affordable tools. While many channels showcased expensive workshop setups, Ramsey consistently built impressive pieces using basic power tools that hobbyists could actually afford. His Saturday morning video format became a ritual for thousands of weekend woodworkers.
His free project plans, available on the ShopWWMM website, include hundreds of designs ranging from simple picture frames to full furniture pieces. These plans will continue to be available for download.
The Weekend Woodworker Course
Ramsey plans to focus his energy on The Weekend Woodworker, his paid online course that teaches complete beginners how to build six furniture projects from scratch. The course has already graduated thousands of students and includes video lessons, detailed plans, and access to a private community forum.
That’s what makes this endearing to us woodworkers — understanding these details helps make better decisions.
For those who learned to use a miter saw or build their first workbench thanks to a WWMM video, this shift represents both an ending and an opportunity. The archive of content remains a comprehensive free education in hobby woodworking, while his paid offerings provide a more structured learning path.
Probably should have led with this section, honestly.
What This Means for Viewers
Existing subscribers can still access the full library of project videos, tool reviews, and technique tutorials. Ramsey hinted that occasional new content may still appear, but the regular weekly schedule that defined the channel for over a decade is coming to a close.
The woodworking community response has been overwhelmingly supportive, with many crediting Ramsey for getting them started in the craft.
