The Wisdom of Wood: A Conversation with Rich Murphy

Woodworking is both an art and a craft that requires patience, skill, and a deep understanding of materials. Some are born into it, inheriting the passion from previous generations, while others discover it later in life. Today, we’re sitting down with Rich, a second-generation woodworker, to explore his journey—from working in his father’s garage workshop to mastering both traditional and modern woodworking techniques. Let’s dive in!

Interview with Rich,
Master Woodworker and Content Creator

To truly appreciate the art of woodworking, it helps to understand the dedication and expertise of the craftsmen behind it. We recently spoke with Rich, a seasoned woodworker with over 50 years of experience, to gain insights into his inspirations, techniques, and philosophy on craftsmanship.

In this engaging conversation, Rich shares his early influences, how engineering shapes his approach, and his thoughts on blending traditional techniques with modern innovations.

Katherine: Hi Rich! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Let’s start at the beginning—what was it like growing up in your father’s workshop? What were the earliest lessons you learned from him?

Rich: My father’s workshop was just a small corner of the garage—he never had much space, but he made the most of what he had. That’s one of the biggest lessons I learned: good woodworking isn’t about the tools, it’s about the woodworker. Good tools make the job easier, but they don’t do the work for you. My father had far fewer tools than I do today, yet he accomplished so much with them. That really shaped my perspective on craftsmanship.

Katherine: Looking back, what do you think you would say to your younger self about the workshop and tools you have now?

Rich: I think he’d be amazed. But I’d also give him some advice—learn the basics, especially with hand tools. A lot of woodworkers, including me back then, tend to jump straight to power tools because they’re faster and easier. I’m only now learning things I should’ve mastered decades ago—how to use a chisel properly, how to get the most out of a plane, or how to hand-cut wood for fine joinery. These fundamentals really matter because power tools can’t handle everything. For finer, more delicate work, hand tools give you the control and precision you need.

I’d also tell my younger self to stop relying on cheap wood, like pine. Sure, it’s affordable, but working with hardwoods teaches you different skills and gives better results. Back then, we were trying to do precision joinery with construction-grade lumber, which just isn’t made for that. We struggled more than we needed to.

Katherine: Over the past 50 years, how has your approach to woodworking evolved? Are there any significant changes in tools, techniques, or trends that have influenced your work over the decades?

Rich: My woodworking is constantly evolving. Every new tool I buy or receive changes my work and how I approach it, especially as I learn how to use it. There have been a lot of creative advances in jigs and sleds in recent times, which I wish I had known about earlier. Personally, I find myself going back to learn the old ways of doing things; something I didn’t bother with when I was younger.

Katherine: Can you share an example of a tool that completely transformed your approach to a project, and conversely, are there any tools or trends you’ve encountered that, in hindsight, felt more like distractions or didn’t add value to your craft?

Rich: Without a doubt, my hand planes—especially my Stanley No. 5—completely changed how I work. It took me years to realize that tools straight from the factory aren’t ready to use right out of the box. I didn’t know how to tune a plane properly back then, and that made a huge difference once I learned how. A sharp, well-tuned blade is essential. There’s something incredibly satisfying about making those perfect curls of wood—it’s a sign that everything is working the way it should.

Another game-changer is my table saw. It’s probably the most versatile tool in my workshop. Add in all the jigs and sleds available now, and the possibilities are endless. But here’s the thing—every tool has its strengths. It’s not about having the fanciest tools; it’s about knowing which tool is best for the job and making sure what you have is well-maintained and high quality.

Katherine: With your background in engineering, how does that knowledge shape the way you design and build your woodworking projects? Can you share any specific examples where engineering principles played a critical role in your work?

Rich: Furniture building is always an engineering exercise, especially if one is trying to use the minimal amount of material possible, while still making sturdy furniture. Understanding where the strength lies in the wood we use, as well as the strength of different types of joinery is critical. Example: butt joint.

Katherine: Can you recall a particularly tricky problem in a project that you solved using an engineering mindset?

Rich: Honestly, woodworking’s full of engineering challenges—it’s just not always obvious. I mean, building a dresser isn’t just cutting wood and sticking it together. You’ve gotta think about weight distribution, how drawers slide, whether it’ll warp over time—stuff like that.

Or building a dining table strong enough to survive more than just dinner parties—it had to withstand kids horsing around, sometimes literally being thrown onto the table without it collapsing. The real challenge is making it strong without making it look like it belonged in a Flintstones episode. It had to be sturdy but still elegant, and that’s where understanding structural strength and load distribution—engineering fundamentals—really mattered.

Katherine: As someone who not only practices but also teaches woodworking, how do you approach teaching beginners versus more advanced students? How do you adapt complex woodworking concepts to make them understandable for those new to the craft?

Rich: Mostly my audience is beginners, although there is a scattering of more advanced woodworkers in there. In either case, the key to teaching new concepts is to break it down as simply as possible and go through it step-by-step. I seem to have a natural flair for seeing those steps and explaining them. More advanced woodworking students, and we’re all students, are looking to learn more advanced techniques. The advantage there is that they have a basic understanding; but you’d better be more advanced than they are, or they will catch you.

Katherine: It’s fascinating that your diverse knowledge base includes theology and practical survival skills. How do these seemingly unrelated fields influence your work and the way you approach woodworking projects?

Rich: It’s not so much that they influence my woodworking, as my woodworking influences them. Jesus was a carpenter. In that time, a carpenter was more what we would call a woodworker today. Being a woodworker helps me understand His life before His ministry started.

To me, woodworking is a survival skill. Should a major disaster befall our country, it will be the people with hands-on skills building things that will bring us back; not those with just book learning.

Katherine: Do you think woodworking, as a hands-on skill, fosters a mindset that book learning alone cannot? If so, how?

Rich: Definitely. Woodworking teaches you things that no book can—how materials behave, how your tools feel in your hands, and how to troubleshoot in real-time. You learn by doing, making mistakes, and figuring out how to fix them.

In a world that’s increasingly digital, I think hands-on skills like woodworking are even more important. If we ever faced a disaster scenario—like losing electricity on a large scale—those of us with practical, hands-on skills would be the ones keeping things together. It’s not just about making furniture; it’s about knowing how to build, repair, and create with your own two hands when technology isn’t there to help.

Katherine: Over your long career, what has been the most challenging project you’ve taken on? How did you overcome those challenges, and what lessons did you learn from the experience?

Rich: It’s hard to rate something as “most challenging,” because what is challenging one day, will be easy a year later. I have always sought out more challenging projects, not so much intentionally, as I’ve wanted to do things that just turned out to be more challenging. Each has been a learning experience. I guess if I had to mention a particular project or two, they would be furniture projects. I’ve recently built a table, with two folding leaves, that fold over the top, making a solid top. The big challenge was how to make the mechanism to support the top, when it was open. Another challenging project was a coopered coffee table. That one was challenging because it was the first time I had done coopering.

Katherine: You mentioned every challenging project is a learning experience. Is there a specific lesson or skill you gained from these projects that you now apply regularly in your work?

Rich: I’m still learning, even after all this time. Every project teaches me something new. Here at Sawinery, our focus isn’t just on showing how to do woodworking—it’s explaining why you should do something a certain way. Anyone can drill a hole, but knowing why you’re drilling it there—that’s the real knowledge. And it’s all about practice. You’ve got to keep doing something until it feels right. There are always new tools, new techniques, and I hope I never stop learning.

Katherine: You’ve been praised for creating pieces that are both beautiful and practical. How do you strike the balance between aesthetic design and functionality in your woodworking projects?

Rich: Unless something is intended to be totally functional, like shop furniture, I’m all about the appearance. My job, as a woodworker, is to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. So, I design everything with that in mind. In that way, I end up with beautiful pieces, which are also functional. I like using multiple types of contrasting wood together, allowing that to be a major part of the aesthetic design.

Katherine: Have you ever faced a situation where functionality conflicted with your aesthetic vision? How did you resolve it?

Rich: Honestly, it never really conflicts. You can always balance both. For example, making a mallet from solid oak is practical because it’s durable. But if I mix oak, maple, and walnut, I can create something functional and visually stunning. That’s the beauty of woodworking—bringing out the natural beauty of the wood while making sure it still works the way it should. I love combining different woods for contrast—walnut’s my favorite, especially for its deep grain, and maple works great for lighter accents.

Katherine: Through Sawinery and other platforms, you’ve reached a broad audience. How has content creation, such as videos and tutorials, changed the way you connect with fellow woodworkers and enthusiasts?

Rich: It has totally changed things. First, it allows me to share the craft I love with others. Secondly, it has given me a platform and the authority to share my knowledge. Thirdly, other woodworkers now come to me to seek answers to their questions and problems.

Katherine: How do you balance the time spent on woodworking itself with the time needed to create and edit content?

Rich: Honestly, I cheat! (Laughs) A lot of the projects I film for Sawinery are ones I want to build anyway. Instead of making something just for the video, I combine it with personal projects—like a piece of furniture for my family. My evenings and weekends often go toward building things for my wife or friends, so it all comes together natural.

Katherine: What trends or innovations do you see shaping the future of woodworking? How do you think new tools and technologies will influence the craft in the coming years?

Rich: New tools, especially new power tools, are being invented all the time. Some just confuse the marketplace, while others make the job easier. One thing we all need to do is carefully evaluate these, before buying them. Laser engraving & CNC routing – These are the big technologies that are changing woodworking today. They allow woodworkers to do things they couldn’t do before, without a lot of time learning how to do them. They also allow a small shop to build in quantity, making it more profitable. I expect to see new materials coming out, mostly focused on sustainability. I recently did a video about bamboo, which has some real potential, if they can get the cost down.

Katherine: How would you encourage a beginner woodworker to learn traditional skills while also exploring new technologies?

Rich: Start with the basics—learn hand tools first and understand the fundamentals. Find someone who can teach you and explain why things are done a certain way. Practice on scrap wood, bit by bit, until you’re ready for a real project. Once you’re confident, fine-tune those skills. Even after 50 years, I still make mistakes. The key is to keep improving with every project.

Katherine: For those just starting their woodworking journey, what advice would you give them? Are there specific tools or techniques you believe are essential for building a strong foundation in woodworking?

Rich: There’s a tendency to grab the power tools and go to town. I made that mistake. Take the time to learn how to do things with hand tools. That will make you better with the power tools, as well as knowing how to do things when power tools aren’t the best answer. I am learning things now, after 50 years, that I should have learned 40 years ago.

Katherine: You mentioned learning things now that you wish you’d learned 40 years ago. Can you share one or two examples of these lessons and how they’ve influenced your work?

Rich: Tuning hand tools properly is a big one. For years, I used them straight out of the box without realizing how much better they could work if set up correctly. Another lesson is not skimping on materials—working with higher-quality wood earlier in my career would’ve helped me grow as a craftsman much faster.

Katherine: With increasing awareness of sustainability, how do you incorporate eco-friendly practices into your woodworking? Are there specific materials or methods you prefer to use to minimize environmental impact?

Rich: Mostly I don’t believe in the concept of scrap. Those little pieces are just pieces I haven’t used yet. I do plenty of projects which require small pieces, making it easy for me to use them up. Did a video on that recently. When the pieces get too small to use, they go in the fireplace to warm our home in the winter.

Katherine: Every woodworker has their favorite tools. What are the tools or techniques you find yourself returning to time and time again? Why are they significant in your process?

Rich: That has changed over time, as I’ve added tools to my workshop. My oldest major power tool is my radial arm saw, which I’ve had for over 40 years. It still gets plenty of use, although it has been replaced by the table saw as my main power tool. Recently, I find myself reaching for my planes and chisels more and more. First, if you want a really clean joint, you’ve got to clean up the cut with those tools. Secondly, there’s just something satisfying about making those nice curls come off the wood with a plane.

Katherine: How do you decide when to use a hand tool versus a power tool for a specific task?

Rich: Every tool has its own strengths. Hand tools are closer to tradition and give you a personal connection to the work—they’re for fine, detailed tasks. Power tools are great for speed and larger projects. But sometimes, hand tools leave a bit of the maker’s soul in the piece, and that’s something machines just can’t replicate.

Katherine: How do you feel about the blending of traditional woodworking skills with modern technology, such as CNC machines or laser cutters? Do you think there’s a place for these advancements in maintaining the spirit of traditional craftsmanship?

Rich: There’s definitely a place for modern technology in woodworking. I’ve used my laser engraver/cutter to make a number of small projects, including stocking stuffers. As I learn how to use my CNC better, I hope to be able to make 3D engraved wood onlays or overlays to go on cabinets and furniture pieces. Looking at it from the other side of the equation, I would hate to see future woodworkers forego doing things by hand, to have their machines do everything for them. That would turn hobby and professional woodworking into a factory operation, rather than a craft.

Katherine: Are there techniques or styles that you believe are best preserved through hand tools and should not be delegated to machines?

Rich: Absolutely. Techniques that rely on subtle variations, fine work, and delicate craftsmanship are best preserved through hand tools. Machines might be precise, but they can’t replicate the intuition and connection you develop when working directly with the material. That’s where the true artistry lies.

Katherine: You’ve been a part of woodworking for 50 years, and now you’re passing on that knowledge. What do you hope the next generation of woodworkers will carry forward from your teachings and the traditions of the craft?

Rich: More than anything, the love of the wood and the craft. It’s not just about making things or making money for the things you make. It’s about creating something beautiful with your hands; something that you and others can enjoy. Learn to love the wood and its natural beauty.

Katherine: Of all the projects you’ve completed, is there one that stands out as a personal favorite or one that holds special significance for you? Could you share the story behind it?

Rich: It’s more like a series of projects, rather than just one. My wife’s family has a lot of family heirlooms that have been passed on. Our dining room set was her great-grand-aunt’s. The furniture in our guest bedroom was her great-grandmother’s. Sadly, my family doesn’t have the same. So, I’ve started creating what I call “legacy projects” for the kids. Every Christmas, one of their principal gifts is something I’ve made. My hope is that 100 years from now, my descendants will be saying to their children: 'Your greatgreat-grandpa Rich made this back in the early 2000s'.

Thank you so much, Rich, for sharing your incredible journey, wisdom, and passion for woodworking with us. Your insights into the craft, your dedication to teaching, and the legacy you’re creating for future generations are truly inspiring. We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn from your experiences, and we’re sure your words will resonate with woodworkers and enthusiasts alike. Thank you for keeping the spirit of woodworking alive and thriving!

Interviewer:

Wood carving and outdoor enthusiast, content creator


Passionate about wood carving and the great outdoors, I’m always up for an adventure—whether it’s a hike, a camping trip, or a DIY project. When I'm not exploring, I craft content for our wood carving community and share the stories of fellow enthusiasts.