How to Roll Your Shirt Sleeves Like You Know What You're Doing

I am a committed non-cuff-buttoner. I'll do it when I wear a jacket or a sweater atop a shirt, but if it's just me an a button down (oh, and pants), then my sleeves are rolled up 99% of the time. Sure, it makes for a less formal look, but really, it's more practical. I'm a doer, and my hands are constantly doing stuff, and keeping my sleeves out of the way means they won't end up in the garden soil, dishwasher, bike grease, spinning table saw blades, or whatever else I'm digging into that day.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4620-how-to-roll-your-shirt-sleeves-like-you-know-what-you-re-doing

Looking for a Bit of Process Inspiration? Watch These Historic Pathé Craftsman Videos

If you’re committed to greatness in your craft, there’s no better way to improve than to mimic the masters. But if you need a more general inspiration to help you keep going in your pursuit of excellence, it’s helpful to watch any kind of expert at work.

In 2014, the newsreel archive British Pathé released 85,000 high resolution historic films to YouTube. Among these are a fantastic collection of newsreel footage from postwar factories all around Great Britain. It’s mesmerizing and, if you’re a maker, a bit humbling to watch these skilled men and women exercise their trade with such aplomb. (Not to mention, the peppy English narrators, using that classic clipped 1950’s news reporting style, are really funny.)

 

Thanks to the wizardry that is the Internet, there are hundreds of them available at your fingertips today.

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/joelselby/posts/4768-looking-for-a-bit-of-process-inspiration-watch-these-historic-pathe-craftsman-videos

How to Build a Custom Tool Wall

Move over pegboard. When you've assembled a proper collection of hand tools, the best way to keep them safe, organized, and available within reach is a custom tool wall. Each item gets a designed holder that keeps like pieces together and accessible, allowing you to maximize your storage space.

Plus, let's admit it: they also look super cool.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4778-how-to-build-a-custom-tool-wall

A Beginner's Guide to Woodcase Pencils

All hail the mighty pencil: a powerful and beloved tool with a fanbase as sophisticated as the legions of jazz enthusiasts, yet so ubiquitous and humble that barely notice it. The pencil is an incredibly simple device—essentially, a rock-and-dirt mix smashed together between some cut-up tree pieces—but the iteration that know today is a collaboration between hundreds of pencil makers over the course of 500 years. With their pen cousins, the elegant fountain and the pragmatic ballpoint, pencils are a founding member in the groundswell of interest for tangible, analog tools in an increasingly virtual, digital world.

If all you know of pencils are the Dixon Ticonderogas and plastic Bic mechanical pencils you carted around in your schoolbox, read on for a basic primer and some great resources for further exploration.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/joelselby/posts/4777-a-beginner-s-guide-to-woodcase-pencils

How to Drill Perfectly Vertical Bench Dog Holes in Your Workbench

 A woodworking bench is more than just a table to lay your tools and project parts on. Used well, your bench is an all-in-one, three-dimensional clamping solution that will allow you to hold your work on any of its edges or faces. The traditional way to increase the work-holding capability is to place "dog holes" in your bench top, and allowing them to work in tandem with a face or end vise to secure parts of any size. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4569-how-to-drill-perfectly-vertical-bench-dog-holes-in-your-workbench

5 Simple Beginning Leather Projects to Help Grow Your Craft

A few weeks back we talked about some of the basic, essential tools for getting started in leatherworking. Once you're set up, its time to put them into practice. Here are a few projects to hone those skills, and end up with some great practical pieces you can use everyday   … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/david/posts/3826-5-simple-beginning-leather-projects-to-help-grow-your-craft

How to: Make a Proper Cup of Builder's Tea

If you were to ask an American to picture drinking a cup of tea, it's safe to assume that the mental image wouldn't include work boots, hardhats, bricks, and lumber. But while coffee is standard in the U.S., for thousands of construction workers in Great Britain and Ireland, as well as numerous tradesmen like electricians, welders, and plumbers, a strong cup of tea is the preferred fuel for a day filled with labor.

Here's a basic rundown of how to fortify your work day with the strength of a bricklayer.

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/joelselby/posts/4775-how-to-make-a-proper-cup-of-builder-s-tea

The 16 Tools I Use Most Often in My Workshop

Does the tool make the man, or does the man make the tool?  Like most things in life, the answer is somewhere in the middle.  You need to know how to properly operate and care for your tools, but the right tool/jig can make or break your project.  I am not a professional wood worker by any stretch of the imagination and my tools reflect that, BUT they are still my tools and every single one has a time and place to be used.  Some of my tools are used a lot more frequently than others, and here is a list of most used tools that I have in my shop (which my wife lovingly refers to as “just the garage”): … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/brandon/posts/4771-the-16-tools-i-use-most-often-in-my-workshop

Let Michael B. Jordan Teach You How to Iron a Dress Shirt Like a Pro

Actor Michael B. Jordan grew up in a household in a military household. His father was a Marine, and valued a well-made bed with tight corners, and all fabrics needed to crisp and tight. Under his guidance, young Michael learned to iron his own clothing to spectacular results.   

He recently shared his technique with Vanity Fair, as part of the press tour for his film, Black Panther. (I hear it's pretty amazing. Has anyone seen it yet?) Watch it in the video below:    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4776-let-michael-b-jordan-teach-you-how-to-iron-a-dress-shirt-like-a-pro

How to: Turn an Old Shirt into a Handkerchief or Pocket Square

I have a few shirts I just can't seem to part with. They don't really fit me (they're much too big and baggy) and I never wear them. Ever. Some are at least five years old, and barely holding together. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/bryson/posts/3695-how-to-turn-an-old-shirt-into-a-handkerchief-or-pocket-square

14 Seriously Tasty Burgers You've Got to Try this Weekend

The burger is usually thought of as summer fare — the progeny of some spatula-wielding self-appointed grill master. But true burger fans know that the very best are not cooked over grill grates, but on screaming hot solid surfaces, where the rendering fat and juices stay near the patty, creating not only a crispy exterior, but the deep, caramelized, confit-like richness that defines the flavor of a great burger.

Which means, of course, that burgers are actually year-round food, and armed with a heavy cast iron skillet or griddle, a great way to spend an dark, cold evening stuck inside. If we're gonna have January, than let us always have burgers. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4091-14-seriously-tasty-burgers-you-ve-got-to-try-this-weekend

What to Do During Down Times Instead of Staring at Your Phone

Downtime. Or, in same cases, dead times: waiting rooms, lines, traffic, the moments in between appointments. Those places where you get nowhere quickly, but live in effective purgatory, embracing neither productivity or relaxation. To the overly ambitious (or those suffering from some form of adult ADHD), these are the times that try your soul in that special kind of slow-drip water torture way.

Sure, you could kill your dead time by scrolling through Instagram. You may even decide to do something useful with your phone, like one-liner email replies or clearing out your old voicemail. But what if you want to occasionally limit your exposure to the little blue screen that wasn’t a crucial part of human existence before 2007?

In lieu of time-killers, here are four suggestions for time-fillers that you can perform with absolutely no equipment other than your mind and your body. These are especially helpful if you’re stuck in a situation where you really shouldn’t be using your phone, like stop-and-go traffic.
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/joelselby/posts/4772-what-to-do-during-down-times-instead-of-staring-at-your-phone

This is a Seriously Good Deal on a High-Quality Cast Iron Skillet

In the normal research/note-taking/formatting process of working on a upcoming gear roundup post this morning, I went to check the price and availability of one of my favorite tools: the cast iron skillet. I've always known cast iron is a pretty amazing value, performing nearly perfectly for generations if you follow a few simple rules. At $30, an American-made Lodge skillet is a great buy-it-for-life piece of cookware that works for nearly everything.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4773-this-is-a-seriously-good-deal-on-a-high-quality-cast-iron-skillet

How to: Make Leather Cup/Mug Jackets

How to: Start a Minimalist Bullet Journal and Get Better at Everything

Search “bullet journal” in Instagram or Pinterest and you’ll see a cornucopia of tricked-out notebooks. The Esteemed Society of Crafters on the Internet has truly created a thing of beauty. But if you’re one of the “Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That” (ANGTFT) set, don’t be fooled by the washi tape, calligraphy, and rococo calendar ornaments: a minimalist bullet journal is, hands down, the most efficient and robust planning tool in your productivity kit.

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/joelselby/posts/4760-how-to-start-a-minimalist-bullet-journal-and-get-better-at-everything

The Dramatically Awesome Way to Open your Champagne in Less Than a Second

I'm a life-long fan of Alton Brown. Recently, I've loved his post-cable TV Youtube videos in which he revisits topics and techniques that he was not allowed to demonstrate on network television. These have included things like "dirty steaks"… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/allan/posts/4755-the-dramatically-awesome-way-to-open-your-champagne-in-less-than-a-second

Don't Go to the Dumb Store! Here are 5 Meaningful Valentine's Day Cards You Can Print at Home

If you've ever walked down the greeting card isle during February, you know it can be a sensory overload of 100's of pink and red frou-frou Valentine cards. Somewhere between the cheesy one-liners and floral designs maybe a descent card awaits for $5, but by the time you settle for it, loved ones have already filed a missing persons report and you've contemplated arson because they're out of the correct envelope size. Avoid the hastle, skip the corporate-generated professions of love and print one of these simple Valentine's Day cards at home...

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/tedrok/posts/4769-don-t-go-to-the-dumb-store-here-are-5-meaningful-valentine-s-day-cards-you-can-print-at-home

How to: Make a Custom, Heavy Duty Tool Roll to Carry Your Tools Anywhere

95% of the time, a tool box is overkill. Whether taking some items to help a friend with a project, or just working on something in my own home two floors above my basement shop, the act of dragging out the toolbox, selecting the items from the pegboard and arranging them appropriately, and then lugging the whole thing around is simply unnecessary. 

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/2927-how-to-make-a-custom-heavy-duty-tool-roll-to-carry-your-tools-anywhere

How to Get the Most Out of Your Kitchen Knives

A kitchen knife is an unusual tool, in that the point of contact between the tool and the medium upon which it works is actually extremely delicate. Imagine if a wrench were as delicate as an X-acto blade that had to be replaced regularly, or if bar clamps would routinely stop holding things in place because they became all wonky with use. Most non-cutting tools are blunt, hearty and reliable. But blades have to be cared for, stored carefully, and sharpened (somewhat) regularly. 

But if there is an abused and neglected blade in your home that is used frequently but cared for rarely (okay, maybe not YOUR home, Mr./Ms. Attention-to-Detail––but the average home), it is the knives in your kitchen. Unless you are a professional ice sculptor or sword swallower, it is likely that the knives in your kitchen are the ones that get the most daily use. And if you are anything like me, it is way too easy to just grab one, use it, and put it back without special care for these knives. Despite my best intentions, it is easy for me to leave a dirty one on a cutting board, haphazardly toss one into the sink, clean in the dishwasher and store them in less-than-ideal ways (i.e., cluttered together in a drawer. I know. I'm an animal.) … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/allan/posts/4756-how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-kitchen-knives

10 DIY Valentine's Gifts You Should Make for Your Special Someone This Year

Two years ago, on February 9th I came home from a long day of work at about 7:30 and my wife gave me incredible news.  She was pregnant! This was going to be our first child, so naturally I was overcome with so many different emotions. I paused… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/brandon/posts/4765-10-diy-valentine-s-gifts-you-should-make-for-your-special-someone-this-year

Don't Toss Those Fries! How to Hack Your Restaurant Leftovers

I love all the "comes with" food from restaurant meals. You know what I’m talking about—the side dishes and classic pairings that are served with what you actually ordered: fries, steakhouse rolls, steamed rice...and, because I live in the South, biscuits. Oh, the biscuits. If you’re like me, though, half of that glorious freebie food gets launched at the end of the meal because you’re too full from the main entree.

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/joelselby/posts/4757-don-t-toss-those-fries-how-to-hack-your-restaurant-leftovers

This Is Definitely the Coolest DIY "Lathe" You'll See This Week

In his continued bid to take over much of the world's media channels, Anthony Bourdain has partnered with the producers of Balvenie Scotch Whisky on an online program that is truly exceptional. In the process of producing the first batch of episodes, he met with some of the most extraordinary craftspeople in the United States (and ended up walking away with some Bob Kramer knives that certainly left our mouths agape.)

If you want to watch between 7 and 16 minutes of well-produced, craft-heavy, and inspirational material, this series is for you. And lucky us, a new batch of videos just dropped in the last month or so. So if you've already caught up with the initial episodes, there's more to watch. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/allan/posts/4766-this-is-definitely-the-coolest-diy-lathe-you-ll-see-this-week

How to: Carve a Simple Wooden Spoon from Any Hardwood

Look, I love making furniture. I love sourcing the materials, planning out parts, and executing the joinery. But lately, I find myself increasingly drawn to the "other" things you can do with wood. What are the smaller, craft level projects that show off the beauty of working with natural materials, but can be completed in a weekend, or even a single sitting?   … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4767-how-to-carve-a-simple-wooden-spoon-from-any-hardwood

How to Create a Meaningful Valentine's Day You'll Actually Want to Celebrate (No Cheesiness Allowed)

 

"See I'm all crooked feet, Saint Valentine" – Gregory Alan Isakov 

Valentine's Day sometimes feels like a conspiracy. It's a holidays front loaded with expectations that are onerous, distracting and just waiting to be disappointed. And all… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/allan/posts/4762-how-to-create-a-meaningful-valentine-s-day-you-ll-actually-want-to-celebrate-no-cheesiness-allowed

Watch One the Most Powerful Rocket in History Take Off Tomorrow

If you're not familiar with SpaceX by now, maybe Tuesday's launch of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy will spark your interest. SpaceX, a private company that builds and launches rockets/spacecraft, will test-flight their most powerful rocket yet (and one of the most powerful rockets period) - the Falcon Heavy. Success or failure, it will be an awesome and potentially historical launch....

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/tedrok/posts/4764-watch-one-the-most-powerful-rocket-in-history-take-off-tomorrow

ManMade Recommended: (Probably) The Best Affordable Safety Glasses Money Can Buy

We don't ask much from our safety glasses. Their primary purpose is right there in the name: they protect you when performing activities that create and project debris that could damage your eyes... woodworking, scrapping paint, anything dealing with rust or metal shavings, and the like. The most important thing is that they be handy and ready to go, so you don't hesitate to grab them when execute a potentially dangerous task. Here's the best way we've found to deal with it.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4761-manmade-recommended-probably-the-best-affordable-safety-glasses-money-can-buy

Abide Like the Dude and Make Your Own White Russian

The White Russian cocktail. This drink has been around almost as long as Jeff Bridges has, but you, and I, and everyone born after 1965 identify it with cult classic comedy, The Big Lebowski. It's the go-to drink for Bridges' character, The Dude, and for good reason: three ingredients, easy to make, cheap, and tastes totally awesome, man. So, whether you're chilling out in your bathrobe or having an after-dinner drink with friends, let's relax and make our own White Russian...

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/tedrok/posts/4749-abide-like-the-dude-and-make-your-own-white-russian

Stone Cold Flavor: Why a Mortar and Pestle Gets the Most Out of Your Food

I'd wager that when most people first pick up a mortar and pestle, their first thought is something like, "you can't be serious!" Very rarely is there a tool that you can buy at, say,  Williams-Sonoma––perched alongside the electric pepper mills… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/allan/posts/4742-stone-cold-flavor-why-a-mortar-and-pestle-gets-the-most-out-of-your-food

The Irish Whisky Renaissance is Real.

Years ago, I'd meet mine a friend at a bar in New York's Upper East Side that was between our two apartments––just close enough for each of us that we could walk home safely while being substantially into our cups. When we would stay late, the bartender would get friendlier and friendlier with free drinks and generous pours. It was jovial and warm and a fine place to spend some time with good company. When we were ready to pay our tab, the bartender––who was well past friendly at that point––poured us a trio of shots to send us on our way. Inevitably, as with bars throughout the U.S. (unless you are from the very South and West), he was pouring from a bottle of Jameson's. By and large, that is how whisky works in America. If you mean to order Scotch or Bourbon or Rye, you name those specifically. But if you just order "whisky" there's a good chance it'll be Irish.     … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/allan/posts/4751-the-irish-whisky-renaissance-is-real