Review by Mark Gazella – November 2008

I mentioned several months ago that we have "Book One" in a series of three written by Mr. Frid during his 50+ year career as a master woodworker. The bookseller I buy from had his three-volume set (with companion DVD) at a great discount, and I'm happy to report we now have a complete set of our very own. I had a chance to view the DVD since it arrived, and thought I'd offer a few additional comments about the work of this "Great Dane".

I should preface by mentioning the video was recorded in 1994, and wasn't finalized until several years later, while Mr. Frid was still actively working. Taping took place during winter to provide a blustery, snowy backdrop for many scenes. Much of the video was shot in his own workshop, which was quite large, but only a quarter of a much larger building that he shared with three other shops. The opening scene (and several more sandwiched between instruction) is devoted to time in his home, where you get a chance to see him active in everything from eating to touring rooms as he describes some of the furniture he made. Several pieces were custom made for his wife, while others were designed to mass produce for sale. There are even accumulated minutes of him driving to and from work, which has him doing everything from cussing to singing! It's amusing and very effective at capturing his personality.

He was quite the "yuckster", and had me laughing several times during that 75 minute portion of my evening. One operation at his table-saw has him removing small cut-offs with a push-stick, which he highly recommends. He had ten fingers for (then) 79+ years, and had grown very fond of them! While cutting dovetails, he offers his opinion on cutting tails before pins, and claims cutting pins first requires too much "Mickey Mouse" nonsense to deal with. Near the end of the film he is shown sweeping the shop floor. He said that's what he did all day as an apprentice and hated it. But now he enjoys sweeping, because after that he goes home to kiss his wife! A final guffaw I had came during the bonus segment where he teaches how to construct a pair of salad tongs. He made a fine pair before my eyes, but then says if they don’t serve their intended purpose, they make a great set of maracas (simultaneously clicking them saying ole')!

The DVD menu lists eight different chapters, though they play seamlessly when viewing. I couldn't really discern where one stopped and another started, much less what the sequence was. But I found this to be quite acceptable, since it creates a fluent play rather than being interrupted by chapter banner screens. Regardless, it leads off with an introduction, followed by chapters that cover specific woodworking techniques, such as using hidden splines, gluing, designing furniture, cutting dovetails, and making concave panels. It also contains two bonus segments that show how to vacuum press a glue-up, and laminate wood in a curved form. If you're web savvy, you can even view parts of this video on "YouTube".

Video picture and sound quality aren't the best, but good enough. He had a heavy accent, and at times I couldn't quite make out what he was saying. But none-the-matter…the hour I spent with him made it clear he adhered to principles of quality, with a commitment to hard work tempered by an affinity for humor. Presumably a jovial fellow most of the time, I got the impression one could easily raise his ire by saying or doing the "wrong thing". I encourage you all to check out the books and DVD, or view what's available on the web. Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking will be available for checkout during our next general member meeting.