Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking: Book 1: Joinery

Book seems to be very well written and organized. There are a lot of pictures, which are clear and helpful even though the pictures are quite old. Regardless on the old pictures, the methods presented and explained in this book (actually three books) are everlasting. Actually every modern day woodworker should take a look on this book. It's enlightening.

Excellent set of books, and the DVD is invaluable. You get to see a master at work while he gives reasons about his methods.

I first came in contact with this set while in college studying woodworking about 6 years ago. While in school I referenced it many times for a complete 'how to' to a 'how do I do that again.' Now, I am still in the woodworking business, and this is a great set of books to have around to consult for what ever reason, thus, I recently got my own. I especially like a chart he has for doing compound angled miters- I must have looked at that a hundred times. Though the pictures are obviously dated, the skills and basics techniques he writes about are timeless, and are a fantastic jumping off point for someone to figure out how to make anything. He teaches you everything you need to know, I highly recommend this set.

These are great books full of good information. Not all of his furniture is in a style that I would choose, but it's constrution is great. The DVD is good. Although not packed full of woodworking skills, it's nice to watch this master work in his shop. You'll wish you could spend a few days working with him.

This is the first of three volumes by Tage Frid that are literally a brain dump of techniques and approached to woodwork. Frid is a true working craftsman. He began as an apprentice at a time when most work was done by hand, and survived the transition to machinery without missing a stroke of his plane. Teaching both at the Rochester Institute of Technology and the Rhode Island School of Design, Frid has influenced over a generation of professional and amateur wood workers. This book is an exhaustive study of joinery. Frid starts with the traditional sections on wood, the tools, and the preparation of stock. Sections then follow on dovetails & other multiple joints, tongue and groove constrution, mortise and tenon, and mitered joints. What is different from other books on the subject is that Frid's explanations are clear and well illustrated, he covers many of the 'tricks' of the trade, and he will address a problem from several directions. If you could remember everything in this book you would be a woodworking wizard. If you are more forgetful, like me, you will keep this book in the shop where you can grab it when planning out your work. If you have to have only one book on joinery Tage Frid's work may be all you need.