Skip to content
Fine Woodworking
Main Menu
Subscribe
GET THE MAGAZINE & MORE
Magazine Cover
  • Save 69% off the cover price
  • Or, get everything with UNLIMITED, including 40+ years of the online archive.
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • Projects & Plans
  • How-To
  • Shop Tips
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Magazine
  • Video Workshops
  • Members
  • Forum
  • Gallery
  • Blogs
  • More
    • Log In
    • Join
    Fine Woodworking Main Menu Subscribe

    David Richards

    Author Headshot

    I am a Biomedical Equipment Technician. I maintain anesthesia and respiratory equipment for the largest medical facility in southeast Minnesota. I also do some training in the use of that equipment. My wife, Kari and I have a three year old son, Ian.

    In my spare time I like to work in my garage woodworking shop. Ive made a wide variety of wooden items from salad tongs to boats. I started using SketchUp several years ago with version 3. It is an ideal tool for the woodworker. I use it for designing projects, working out joinery details and figuring out the order of operations to make efficient use of my time in the shop. My drawings range from simple sketches with little detail to completely rendered images used for presentations and publication.

    Ive made a wide range of SketchUp models from tiny parts for medical equipment to large architectural and other construction projects. Most of my models, though, are furniture and other woodworking related items. Ive been helping other woodworkers around the world learn how to use the program for about three years. Im excited to be teaming up with Fine Woodworking, Bob Babcock, Tim Killen and the rest to help you learn how to use this extremely useful workshop tool.

    • Working with nested SketchUp components

      March 17, 2021

      There are many ways to leverage components to make your SketchUp workflow easier and faster.

    • Riffing on a design in SketchUp

      February 5, 2021

      Dave Richards demonstrates how he uses an existing piece of furniture as a jumping off point to somewhere new.

    • How to modify textures in SketchUp

      December 16, 2020

      Adding textures to your SketchUp models is a great way to add a bit of realism.

    • Modeling a bandsawn leg in SketchUp

      November 25, 2020

      Dave Richards demonstrates how to model a complex part using some clever SketchUp plugins.

    • Kumiko: An exercise with components in SketchUp

      October 22, 2020

      Using the power of SketchUp's components, Dave Richards demonstrates how to resize elements of a kumiko panel to create new patterns.

    • Modeling an oval Shaker box in SketchUp

      September 23, 2020

      Dave Richards's model starts out with flat bands for the box and lid, so they could be used to create the patterns for cutting them in the shop.

    • A couple of Follow Me tricks for SketchUp

      August 19, 2020

      Dave Richards demonstrates some functions of the follow-me tool that many SketchUp users might not be aware of.

    • Leveraging the power of SketchUp components

      July 15, 2020

      Dave Richards demonstrates how he not only uses components to create his models more efficiently, but how they inform his order of operations in the shop as well.

    • Using SketchUp to create patterns

      June 17, 2020

      Using SketchUp and Layout, Dave Richards demonstrates how to create full-size printed patterns to use for router templates or bending forms.

    • 3 great tools for SketchUp

      May 20, 2020

      Dave Richards is doing a lot of teaching these days. In this blog, he shares some tools his students have found extremely valuable.

    Page 1 of 32
    Next

    Most Popular

    1. Future-proof drawer frame construction

      Future-proof drawer frame construction

    2. Video: Marquetry in motion

      Video: Marquetry in motion

    3. 7 things about hand-cut mortise-and-tenon joints

      7 things about hand-cut mortise-and-tenon joints

    4. Our favorite outdoor furniture projects

      Our favorite outdoor furniture projects

    5. Restoring a block plane – ep 6

      Restoring a block plane – ep 6

    Get the latest from Fine Woodworking Magazine

    • #289-May/June 2021

      • Arts and Crafts coffee table with story-book charm
      • Links from Fine Woodworking issue #289
      • Seven tasks for a block plane
    • #288-Mar/Apr 2021

      • Phil Lowe: A craftsman and gentleman
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #288
      • Phil Lowe: craftsman, teacher, friend
    • #287-Jan/Feb 2021

      • Simple, handsome 17th-century box
      • Online extras from FWW issue #287
      • Editor's letter: Finding sanctuary in the shop
    • #286-Tools & Shops 2021

      • Shoulder plane setup and use
      • Online extras from FWW issue #286
      • From the editor: A shop to call home
    • #285-Nov/Dec 2020

      • Make a dovetailed desktop organizer
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #285
      • Announcing FWW ambassadors

    UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

    Start Free Trial Upgrade Membership

    Fine WoodWorking

    Follow

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Membership & Magazine

    • Members
    • Digital Libraries
    • Join Unlimited
    • Magazine Subscription
    • Magazine Renewal
    • Gift a Subscription
    • Customer Support
    • Manage Preferences

    Taunton Network

    • Fine Homebuilding
    • Green Building Advisor
    • Fine Gardening
    • Threads
    • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Careers
    • Copyright
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility
    • California Privacy Rights

    © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

      Main Menu

    • Projects and Plans
    • How-To
    • Shop Tips
    • Tools & Materials
    • Videos
    • Gallery
    • Magazine
    • Video Workshops
    • Members
    • Forum

      Popular Topics

    • Design
    • Small Projects
    • Beds
    • Chairs, Benches And Stools
    • Built-ins
    • Storage And Shelves
    • Cabinets
    • Carving
    • Casework
    • Desks
    • Tables
    • Shop Storage And Furniture
    • Woodturning Projects
    • Workbenches
    • Surface Prep

      More

    • TV
    • Forum
    • Blogs
    • Webinars
    • Podcasts
    • Customer Support

      Account

    • Log In
    • Join

      Magazine

    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Digital Libraries
    • Magazine Index
    • Subscribe

      Membership

    • Member Home
    • Start Free Trial
    • Gift Unlimited
    • Log In

      Shop the Store

    • Books
    • DVDs
    • Taunton Workshops

      Events

    • Fine Woodworking Live
    • Fine Woodworking HANDS ON

      Account

    • Log In
    • Sign Up

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Follow

    UNLIMITED

    Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more.

    Start Your Free Trial

    Upgrade Membership