The act of eating sushi is as much of an art form as the sushi-making itself. Sushi restaurants have proliferated across America in recent decades, but unfortunately sushi etiquette hasn't always migrated as well. If you want to look like you know what you're doing (not to mention actually knowing what you're doing), … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Deciding when to start your end of year yard work is a delicate decision: too early and likely you'll have to keep reworking until the snow comes, too late and your yard will be a mess come spring. Or you can take my father's route which seemed to be just working on it all the time. The best path however would be to listen to the advice of professional landscapers about how they prepare their personal lawns for winter. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
In case you haven't seen the signs, it's fall. That's great news for many reasons, but most importantly it means we now have more reasons to get together and eat great food. Here are five apple-packed deserts to bring those nights of good food to a satisfying close. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
We love a night out as much as anyone, but the truth is: you don't have to get dressed up to deal with noise and crowds and drop $12 plus a 20% tip to enjoy a great cocktail. Heck, you don't even technically have to be dressed at all to experience a balanced, well-presented drink. A sidecar tastes just as good in your hole-y PJs as it does with your shirt tucked in. No judgment here.
The truth is, the properly stocked home bar is part of our American tradition. It got lost a bit in the blended neon slushies and pitchers of the 70s, 80s, and 90s (we're looking at you, Baby Boomers), but from the original speakeasy cocktail days of the 1930s to the space-age swinging bachelor pad of the 50s and 60s, part of being a grown man meant asking "Can I get you something to drink?" and meaning it. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Each week in 2015, ManMade is sharing our picks for the essential tools we think every creative guy and DIYer needs. We've selected useful, long-lasting tools to help you accomplish a variety of projects, solve problems, and live a hands-on lifestyle that allows you to interact with and make the things you use every day.
For many people, there comes an act of ownership that signifies true adulthood. For some, it's that first car when you're a teenager. Others it could be an elective retirement account, a first home, or that dream electric guitar.
For me, it was a ladder. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
I'm not a multitasker. At least, I shouldn't be. And when I am, I'm not at my best. I won't go into a whole thing about the distractions of the internet and multiple browser tabs and social media and our whole plugged-in life; you've read those articles, and you believe them, or you don't.
These aren't ideas to get more stuff done. They're ideas to get good stuff done, and get it done more quickly and with less stress. If that frees up time for you to try more things, that's great. If it only helps you meet your goals without feeling insane, that's good enough. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
It must the sense of fall wanderlust settling, cause there's no place I can imagine I'd rather be on this grey, wet autumn day than… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
A few months ago, I completely destroyed my shop. I pulled everything off the wall, tools off the countertops, and it just . . . imploded. My workshop need an upgrade and it's true - you need to break it before you can fix it. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
We'll always prefer steel and wool tools to plastic and fiberglass ones. They simply have a heritage quality and classic look that inspires us to want to make stuff, and keep them on display.
But steel contains iron, and if you're a fan of older tools made from higher quality steels, can contain a lot of iron. Which, we all remember from science class and every visit to the antique store, causes rust. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Old stereotypes deemed the bespectacled the weakest of the bunch, but in case of an emergency, your glasses may make you into the fittest for surviving. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Everyone likes a nice motivational quote with a fine adventurous backdrop and some nice typography that reminds us to get outside. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
I spied this rather droolworthy workbench and storage area through some pin of a pin of a Tumblr of a magazine...… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Michael Bream has a motto: "If you work on any car, you have to make it faster." A bold statement considering the stigma against electric vehicles for being sissy or potentially unreliable, on top of the fact that he helps run a company specializing in outfitting old cars with high performance electric drive trains. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
What ManMade cave doesn't have a good-ole American flag in the corner? If you don't have one, then you certainly need to add it. However, finding a real, vintage Old Glory at an affordable price can really hit your wallet. With a few household objects, we'll show you how you can turn a bran new flag into a vintage relic in no time!… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Music makes us feel. Good, bad, energetic, lazy...it's an ethereal experience to experience skill and passion coming together in one fluid moment. It has been said that the tone of a instrument improves over time as the instrument settles in, and the… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
One of my favorite cocktail mixers is the spicy ginger beer, used for the summer favorite "Moscow Mule", or evening sipper, the "Dark and Stormy." But I've had enough of the spendy, over-sweetened bottles from the supermarket, so I figured: it's time to make our own. Here are three ways to make an extremely tasty version happen at home. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
First impressions count, and the first few moments someone spends in your doorway do too. You want the entrance to be welcoming and efficient for coats, shoes, etc., while also giving a sense of the rest of the house to come. And if your friends are of the Minnesota Goodbye persuasion, you inevitably spend a good deal of time chatting at the door before anyone leaves.
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
I've wandered through the Etsy offerings in the past, sometimes for inspiration, sometimes because something interesting has caught my eye. But lately, more and more great ideas are popping up on the handmade-centric site, and they're amazing. Here's a collection of Etsy's wooden offerings that are really worth highlighting. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
By simply accenting the varietals in bourbon with similar ingredients you can easily move a bottom shelf brand up a level. All you need is three simple ingredients!
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Probably the most famous architect to the non-architecturally minded is Frank Lloyd Wright, but I would bet that for a significant majority of the population Frank Gehry would be a close second. As the creative mind behind the Guggenheim Museum, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and many more, Gehry is considered "the most important architect of our age" who can now extend his numerous credentials from architect to shipwright. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Grilling and barbecuing meals is one of modern life's true great privileges. Earlier communities cooked over the open flame out of necessity, but we get to choose to adds layers of smoke, fire, char, and salt, because some foods just deserve it. To light a fire and cook your meal upon it is a ritual of gratitude that honors the ingredients, the technique, and the time it requires to make it work. It is, in every way, and opportunity to make food special again.
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Whenever you're working on a bigger woodworking project that involves milling and preparing stock for parts, you often have to work on several parts at once in order to maximize efficiency. For example: dimension, plane, and joint all the wood at once while the tools are set up, cut all the joinery while the dado stack is installed in the table saw, etc. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
You know those little pumpkins you practically trip over in the market this time of year? It turns out: they're good for more than just Instagram props. With, like, no work, they make a really tasty pumpkin butter you’ll want to have in the fridge all year long. I’m talking about pumpkin butter with the magical spice flavor of pumpkin pie, but simple, less sweet and much more, well, pumpkin-y. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
I think I have a fairly well cultivated sense of style, but I love seeing a well put together outfit with all the steps and accessories broken down nicely so that I can steal from it. If nothing else, I think it improves my style sense to see the trends in what makes great outfits. I found that nobody does this for my price range better than Primer Magazine, which recently put together five unique style guides for men this fall. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Around this time of year I often find myself in the basement, getting my backpacking gear ready for winter storage. It's a bittersweet ritual I go through as the season comes to a close. If you love the outdoors like I do, you probably get asked from time to time, "Why do you do it?" After all, mother nature can be a tough mistress. As I unrolled my packs and checked my tents for damage, here are some of the moments from the last year that help me answer that question:
The best backpacking trips are also the toughest (I mean, if climbing mountains were easy, why would you do it?). The payoff is that surge of emotion when when you reach the highest summit, or that tender moment you share with friends when you find the perfect campsite at the end of a long day. Of course, having the right food along the way makes a big difference.
Jerky is my favorite protein-packed trail food, so I was excited to try a new product from Ball Park ('yep, you know 'em from the hot dog stand). They sent me a box of their new Tough but Tender Ball Park Flame Grilled Jerky (it's on shelves now); it's flame grilled (instead of dried like most jerky), with a uniquely tender texture that stands apart from other jerky. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
With the weekend always right around the corner, it's time to think about plans. How about trying this - keep the wallet at home and figure out how to spend two whole days without spending a dime. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Aside from the table saw, one of the most useful tools in my shop is the router. This large, loud, powerful tool can be intimidating to work with, but once you know the basics I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s a tool worth learning to use. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
There are times to try new things. Times to taste different flavors, experiment with products, seek out something you've never encountered before...And sometimes, you just want to know what the best option is. The easy choice. The go-to. The everyday variety you know will work when you need it, and rely on every time. Throughout the next few months, ManMade is seeking out the best affordable bottles of a variety of spirits that work well in your home bar, but know you can grab at the store the next time you head to a friend's house or a party. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Perhaps the most essential tool for any ManMaker is your mind. However, if you're like me, it can be really hard to keep your mind on track. That's why I have to write everything down!
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
You know those videos that show some young dude dressed in leather boots and a crew neck sweater, walking into his shop or studio, blowing off the sawdust or unrolling a side of leather, arranging his tools and assessing his materials, all with some slow churning music and a shallow depth of focus?
This is definitely one of those videos. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
When most people think of joining metal parts, a big bulky welder comes to mind. But what about the jobs where something more precise is needed? You need a soldering kit. Here's a look at what kind is right for your project. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Many of us love to travel and it's always fun to see the local sights. Surprisingly though, the favorite sights are not what you'd expect. Since everyone has a camera in their pockets with the ability share their favorite places through social media, Busbud (a travel site for booking bus tickets) recently went through Instagram's location hashtags to find the most instagrammed places in the US. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
A few years ago, I was attending a conference, and, as I recall, not really listening to the keynote speaker. It was one of those trying to eat-lunch-and-try-to-meet-new-people-and-I-can-barely-hear-from-the-back-of-the-room sort of things.
But, in a moment of unexpected drop in the banquet room din, I caught something that sunk in. The speaker, musing on happiness, suggested that it's all those little tasks and the clutter that hang over our heads and keep joy from settling in. That knowing you have a million little tasks to do is more stressful than actually doing those tasks. And it's not the big work projects, the term papers, the spring deep cleaning that keep us down, but the little stuff that piles up and creates anxiety about when we'll get it all done. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
We all love to give unique gifts. The kind that are handmade but striking, and memorable enough to stand out next to that coffeehouse giftcard. Make this polished ring from colored pencils and you're sure to leave an impression. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
I go in waves health-conscious eating. I'm currently in the middle of one and so granola is factoring in pretty heavily. It's a great (and INSANELY versatile) food option that can be fairly healthy like the Blueberry Vanilla Greek Yogurt Granola bars above, or something on the most desert-y end like the Raspberry Granola Energy Bars seen below. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
For many centuries, from wood to stone, chisels have literally chipped away history to reveal some of our most lasting and beautiful artwork. Do I need to give you any other reason to get yourself a set?
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Talk about going all in for a DIY project! Andy George of How to Make Everything goes the whole nine yards to make a chicken sandwich from scratch.
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
I was reading Justin's piece from earlier today on building an electric guitar from scratch, and the title got my wheels spinning. What does "made from scratch" actually mean? Is it slang for some cheap material like sticks or straw? Is it related to using "scratch" as colloquialism for money?
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
El Sueño Americano, "The American Dream" is a photo series by Tom Kiefer that showcases collections and items belonging to migrants that were apprehended by customs and border officials along the United States-Mexico border in Arizona. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Ok it's not entirely from scratch (where do you even get scratch nowadays?) but this unique guide will walk you through the entire guitar-making process from choosing and sculpting your lumber through wiring the electrics to the finishing touches. Most DIY guitar guides will prescribe a repurposed neck, but here you'll be making it all yourself. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Small-parts storage is one of the biggest steps you can take in creating the perfect workshop zen. When all those little fasteners, nails, washers, odds and ends all have a home you can work in peace, not pieces.
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
I'm not much for lattes. In general, they don't do much for me, but I especially can't stand the overtly frothy, foamy ones that demand all that sugar and syrup and whipped cream to cover up the fact that the coffee is burnt in the first place.
But, I'll admit it: I get jealous that people get so excited about these pumpkin spice coffee drinks this time of year. I like seasons, especially fall, and I wish I could grab a scarf and march right down to the burnt coffee shop… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
If you have a few wardrobe items that haven't seen the light of day due to some wear and tear. Take a look at the Japanese method of mending textiles, especially denim, with unique, stylized stitchery.
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Gives a whole new meaning to the concept of "finish coat," right?
Woodworker Rob Brown invites us to look at our hand tool collection in whole new light... not simply using the tool only for tasks it was intended for, but as opportunities to see these common items beyond their typical use.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Last week a dear friend of mine moved to another city and bequeathed me a bunch of camping gear, which got me thinking about where I should be looking to complete this lovely cache of camping items. Thankfully the team at Outside Online put together this guide for the best deals to look for when building your basic camping supplies. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
ManMade reader Ruben van Dijk sent us his most recent DIY project: a set of stylish concrete shelves. His girlfriend had asked for a clean and simple solution for displaying
her cameras… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
There's always room for a flame in the workshop... or the kitchen. Here's the run-down on blow torches and how they can be extremely useful on your next project. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
We all need a reminder that life is too short to spend inside. Here's a fantastic video by a man who decided to live a life outside and as he says: "A simple life is the happiest". … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
There is bar food and there is drinking food. Bar food tends to center around the deep fryer and the reheating of frozen goods within, and it can certainly be delicious, and also horrible.
Drinking food, on the other hand, is designed to be a foil against your beverage, a complement. The beverage enhances the food, the food the beverage, and everyone has a good time.
This is not a recipe for chicken wings, or for putting pretzels in a bowl. But it is an amazing, and unbelievably simple, snack that you certainly need to make the next time you bust out the bottle opener. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Enjoying a glass of something strong is a good way to end the night every now and then. But do you know how to actually get the best out of the experience? Here's a quick and dirty on how to get the most fun, flavor, and enjoyment… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
Even as an avid DIYer, stonework has always been something I thought was completely unattainable. Thinking it required a mess of tools and well-studied skill, the art of carving and shaping rock for my own DIY projects found itself at the bottom of my to-do until I saw this great project from the Samurai Carpenter.
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
