Tage Frid’s Three-Legged Stool

Tage Frid was an influential Danish-born woodworker who is largely recognized for his work in furniture design. He was a teacher and author, and his influence helped to shape the development of the studio furniture movement in the United States. His three-legged stool is one of his most famous works.

Table in the dining room

When Tage Frid was young, his father ran a candy store. His parents suggested that he become an apprentice with a cabinetmaker. It wasn’t until he was thirteen that he began his five-year apprenticeship. But the training was tough. As a result, he wasn’t too thin.

Eventually, he graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and was appointed head of its woodworking department. He also taught at RISD. After his tenure, he was invited to teach workshops at the Atlanta Institute of Art, where he continues to give classes.

During his time at RISD, he designed drawing tables for dormitories. He also wrote a book on how to make a stand-up writing desk. He has also featured many of his pieces in various books and magazines.

Pedestal sideboard

Tage Frid was one of the most influential woodworkers of the twentieth century. He has written several books on his craft and has become a respected contributor to Fine Woodworking magazine. In addition to his writings, he also worked as an educator. His teaching style is characterized by a focus on learning all of the methods and tools available.

For many years, he was head of the woodworking program at the School for American Craftsmen in Alfred, New York. His students included Hank Gilpin, William Keyser, and Rosanne Somerson. Eventually, he left the school to teach at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Today, he lives comfortably on a pension from the school. He is currently working on a book about his life. It will include a biography, interviews, and woodworking projects.

Three-legged stool

If you are a fan of fine woodworking, you may have seen one of Tage Frid’s three-legged stools in his house. This stool was designed in the mid-1970s, and features a seat 16 inches wide and six inches deep, and a three-leg design. The legs are through-tenoned to the seat, and the back is dovetailed.

The three-legged stool is just one of the many projects that Tage Frid worked on over his lifetime. For example, he designed a reversible bed, a drawing table desk for the Rhode Island School of Design dormitories, and a pedestal sideboard. He is a woodworker who values results more than methods.

Although Tage Frid’s legacy includes a number of notable accomplishments, his most renowned piece is his famous jointless rocking chair. Its nylon parachute cord makes for a very comfortable seating experience.

Book 1 devoted to joinery

A renowned furniture maker and woodworker, Tage Frid is known for his work in the Danish modern style. He served as an apprentice to master craftsman Gronlund Jensen in Denmark. Then, after immigrating to the United States, he became a teacher and instructor at the Rochester Institute of Technology and Alfred University. In 1980, he was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the Furniture Society.

While most of his career was devoted to teaching and lecturing, he also wrote several woodworking books. His books are practical woodworking instructions, and he stands out for the thoroughness of his descriptions. They are still a valuable instructional resource.

For example, in Book 1, he covers jointery, joining, and veneering. You’ll find detailed information on how to prepare stock for veneering, and you’ll also learn about different types of veneers, including hammer and glued. Some of the other topics include plywood, laminating, and using shellac.

Book 3–Furnituremaking

In the grand scheme of things, there is no magic pill, so what is the trick is how to apply it to your existing woodworking toolkit. This book takes the reader through the ins and outs of furniture making in a manner that is sure to appeal to the seasoned veteran and those interested in making their mark on the world of furniture. It covers topics such as choosing and preparing wood, the use of power tools, joinery, the best way to treat a splinter, and the ins and outs of putting together a snazzy dining room set. With its thorough and thoughtful approach to furniture making, the user is rewarded with a streamlined process that will yield a superior finished product.

This book is a worthy addition to any library, whether it’s a home or office library. With its extensive use of step-by-step photography, readers are assured of success.