Man Made DIY

Whenever I'm at a cocktail party, get together, or other small talk-conducive occassion and I tell people what I do, the first question I always get asked is, "Okay...so how do you make money from that?" But the second question I always get asked is for a recommendation of what are my top ten essential tools that everyone should have/buy for their niece who's getting their first place/try to get their husband to use.

The answer, of course, is "well, depends on what you're trying to do with them." I usually come up with some combo of measuring devices, handsaws, clamps, and fasteners, but I always think..."maybe I should come up with a list of essentials for the average homeowner or artist/maker at some point."   

Truth: I've never punched another human being. Been punched? Yes. Did it hurt? Yes. But made a fist and landed it on human flesh? Never. And don't plan to. I'm a maker, not a fighter.   … read more

"Just because something makes you smile or laugh ... doesn't mean it's a joke."

Word to the skeptical: don't be. Artisinal pencil sharpening is a very real thing. You may have heard of David Rees, a political cartoonist who also runs ArtisinalPencilSharpening.com, a site where you can send in a pencil (or David can provide one) and he'll sharpen it by hand, for $15.00.

Now, David has released a book How To Sharpen Pencils: A Practical & Theoretical Treatise on the Artisanal Craft of Pencil Sharpening for Writers, Artists, Contractors, Flange Turners, Anglesmiths, & Civil Servants (with a forward by John Hodgman), and is currently on tour with workshops and sharpening services, often on the same bill as some awesome comedians.

If you get the idea of a hand sharpened pencil, but aren't quite down to pay $15.00 for the service, David has graciously provided his technique. For free.

It's the kind of thing you simply gotta see.  … read more

Sooner or later, you're gonna have to do it. It may be because you lost a little weight, and now it's time to notch over one more, and you're plumb out of holes. Maybe it'll be due to the fact that different pairs of pants sit on your body at different places. Or it may be that you'll simply had that belt for a little while, and the leather has stretched a bit. 

But, at some point, you're gonna have to punch a hole in a belt. And if you do it right, it can look perfectly in line with the others, like it's been there the entire time.  … read more

Hand-Eye Supply, the Portland, OR/online store selling "tools for making, designing, building, doing" have released their first magazatolog, called Makers in the Modern Era, which you can get can...for free.

   … read more