Here's a project that deserves to be checked out both for its utility on your own projects, but also for its simple, inspired creativity.  This is why the DIY, craft, and maker movement continue to grow; there are super smart, thoughtful folks figuring out how to help other keep making stuff.   This one comes from James, a designer on Shapeways, who make custom 3D-printed metal parts. Here, you add your own design to James' template, which snaps onto your standard Bic-style disposable lighter. The lighter's flame heats the branding iron, which you press into your material to sear the design. Cool, right?

James' Instructable shows you how to customize your design with a free online design program called Pixlr. Upload your design, order your branding iron, and start making your mark.

Make a Custom Bic Brander [Instructables.com]

I am a total scrap hoarder. Whether it's wood, metal or other trinkets, I can't help but think to myself that one day I will use some of these. From time to time, I search the depths of Pinterest to find some really good uses for all the junk I collect. Because if I don't I might not have a workshop to work in anymore!

Here's a collection of some of my go-to ideas on sites like Pinterest to get your brain storming on what you can do with your growing pile of scrap in your own shop.

Some photos contain actual DIY project links, others are just inspiration.

Get a good forstner bit and turn your cut-offs into some votive holders.

Tis the season for pumpkins. How about a few rustic pumpkins for your front porch?

Make a super simple table centerpiece with some 2x4s

How about a bathroom storage ladder from a few strips of old wood?

Give yourself a real challenge and figure out how to construct a side table like this one. I think I might have to try this one next!

If you have some large, left over cast iron pipe, maybe you can spruce up your backyard with a few rusty succulent planters!

Those leftover copper cutoffs can turn into a steampunk wall planter.

If you happen to have loads of scrap fabric from old shirts or unused rags, turn them into twine! My wife and I use a lot of our leftover fabric to make into decorative twine for gifts. It's a big hit.

Let's not forget about leather! Turn all your leftover leather scraps into a simple key fob.

And finally, for all those little cutoffs you can't help but save, turn them into a nice piece of wall art! 

Like this:

Or this literal scrap mantel wall!

What are some ways you like to turn your scraps into DIY gold? 

One of the last steps in the shop on any project is sanding. It can be a long, drawn out process to get the final shape and then smooth it all out but this drum makes quick work of it.   Iuse a sanding drum on just about every project I churn out of the shop. It's great at getting in the corners and making sure all of the radius curves are smooth and squared. Here's a simple project to make your own shop sanding drum, which can be sized to exactly what you need for your project.

The design is pretty straightforward and easy to understand, read about the rest of the project here.

I wish I could say I loved winning as much as I hate losing (what's up, negativity bias) but unfortunately I can't. So generally speaking I avoid boardwalk-type games that are usually unevenly weighted against the participant, but the recent fervor of state fair mania in my hometown got me thinking about them, when I conveniently came across this...   It's Cool Material's "Foolproof Way to Beat Those Boardwalk Games" and its definitely worth checking out if you're looking for some good pointers. 

There are tips on water guns, balloon darts, even the strength tester where you give your best John Henry. Additionally, I'd put this in the Good Uncle Skills category if we have one. Not an essential skill for fatherhood, but still a fun way to entertain kids with your prowess while bonding and passing on your knowledge. 

I like a properly matted and framed piece of artwork as much as anyone, but sometimes, it can be a little overkill. First off, it's expensive, especially for large pieces, and secondly, it doesn't always fit the style of the art. Framing a poster or screenprint can often make it a space feel more like a weird movie or record exec's office rather that a home filled with awesome art.

When I found this large vintage FBI target practice sheet, I loved the bold graphic design and aged colors and texture. And I knew a classic frame would be way too expensive for something this size (that was originally considered consumable), and not the right fit, design-wise.

So, I took a cue from the classic pull-down maps of my elementary school classrooms, and created a simple way to hang it on the wall with a lot more character. Here's how to do it.    

Tools and Materials:

• Four lengths of wood molding, trim, or other thin strips of wood, at least as long as your artwork. (We used a half-round profile)
• Pencil and measuring tape
• Saw
• Stapler or staple gun
• White glue
• Wood stain and brush (optional) 
• Clamps or masking tape
• Drill and drill bits
• Small screw eyes
• String, twine, or leather cord

1. Lay out your artwork, and place a piece of molding on top. Determine how much overhang you'd like, and add that to the total length, twice. (We went with 2 1/2" on each side). Mark your overall length with a pencil. 

2. Use a saw to cut your piece to length. If you don't have a hand saw, get one! They're inexpensive, and awesome. Or ask your hardware store or lumberyard to help. 

3. Repeat to make a total of four lengths: top bar front and back, and bottom bar front and back

4. My hemlock molding was very close in color to the paper of my artwork, so I decided to stain it a bit to provide some contrast. This is an optional step. If you do stain your wood, just make sure to let it dry overnight before proceeding. 

5. Attach your artwork to one of the lengths of molding using staples. Be sure that it's placed straight and squarely along the width so your artwork will hang squarely.  If you'd rather not put holes in your art, you could countersink and epoxy in some rare earth magnets and wedge the paper in between. 

6. Spread some glue along both halves of your molding, covering the entire surface with a thin layer. Allow to become slightly tacky for two-three minutes. 

7. Sandwich the two pieces of molding on top of each other, and clamp while the glue dries. If you don't have several small clamps, you can use blue painter's tape to secure the wood. Just make sure you bind them together tightly to get a good glue joint. Repeat the process for the bottom. 

8. Use a small drill bit to create a pilot hole. This will help prevent the thin wood from splitting, as well as encourage the hardware to go into the wood as straight as possible. 

9. Lastly, twist in your screw eyes, and string it up. 

Done! Now hang it on the wall :)

This project was part of our guest room makeover that I recently completed with my friends from True Value Hardware. Check out the full room makeover at ManMade's sister site, Curbly.com

There are some very impressive makers out there. not only can they craft amazing projects for the home and shop, but they even go a step further an make their own power tools. Take a look at five impressive projects from start to finish.   Keep in mind building your own tools means that safety features and securities are not automatically built-in, so builds like this should always factor in safety along the way!

1. Homemade Table Saw

2. Handmade Bandsaw

3. Home-Built Saw Mill

4. Homemade Drill Press

5. Handmade Lathe

See any inspiration for your own shop?

There are countless scientific and cultural studies, book summaries, and thinkpieces that come out each week, with attractive headlines about being more happy, or losing weight, or the benefits of travel or achieving crazy productivity. Most of them are sorta interesting, but ultimately disappointing, and very fun are pertinent to the discussions here on ManMade.

But, this one kinda got to me, and I thought it was worth sharing. And the reason is:   I've been feeling this way more often. Overwhelmed, short of time, like the next several hours, weeks, or months of my life are already booked. Partially, it's true. But the experience is off. Out of proportion. "That busy feeling..." that stops you from actually getting things done.

This piece comes out of new series for BBC Radio 4, and I think it's worth a read, top to bottom. I don't want to give away the thesis, cause it's not mine, but I'm convinced there's some real info here, and it helps give me clarity towards a solution. I'd love to talk about it more in the comments if anyone's interested. 

Why You Feel Busy All the Time (when you're actually not)[BBC.com]

As this point in the DIY movement evolution, no one is surprised to learn that the strength and construction toy-like versatility of plumbing pipe makes it awesome fodder for building all sorts of projects. You've probably even seen it applied to lighting and lamp projects before. But, there's still room to improve on a classic, and we think this piece by Alyssa does exactly that.    

Why? Well, I think it's the small design choices. It's balanced, well-proportioned, and highlights the materials. It's a bit rustic, but not overtly so, and while you can tell what it's made from, it doesn't scream hyper urban, reclaimed, coolkidgentrification everythingisauthentic of your local ____ + ____ named establishment. It's just solid, well-done, and practical. Can't beat that. 

Get the how-to and materials list at Urban Barn, a Canadian home decor and furniture shop: DIY Lamp

I wasn't always a bedmaker. It wasn't until I was living in the dorms in college, and my bed also had to serve as the sofa, chair, desk, laundry-folding area, and dining table that I got in the habit of the daily bedclothes readjusting. And my bed needs it, cause I sleep like a freaking tornado and things end up in impossible places.

It's a habit I'm glad I've held onto. Research shows that people who make their bed are actually happier. And because my bed isn't fussy, it only takes me about twenty seconds to put it back together, and it really does affect the entire day, especially because I work from home and see it all day long.

GQ has a great short piece about making the bed in only thirty seconds. You have an extra thirty seconds to make the bed. Go learn the technique, and master it daily. Your life will improve, as weird as that sounds. Truth. Do it.

Yep, it's dangerous, illegal, and still pretty interesting. Follow along with this guy as he tried to ride freight trains to Montauk.   With the wit of a street clown and the mouth of a hobo sailor this guy takes us along on his quest to hop freight trains all the way to the end of the line. 

While his methods are about par for someone willing to hop onto massive steel train cars, please don't be this person and hop onto one yourself. But feel free to follow along with the rest of his escapades here.

The backyard fire pit is the hallmark of great outdoor memory-making. Where friends gather, stories are told, beers are drunk. And sure they can be as simple as a no-frills dugout, but something a little more concrete demonstrates your commitment to the intentionality of the space....    

If you're willing to pour a little concrete and operate a CNC router you're well on your way to summer and autumn nights with buddies... or alone as you can see. Following this guide shows you how to take these concrete molds in any direction you please and I'd love to see what innovative designs you guys come up with.

Click the video below to watch the instructional video from Home-Made Modern:

As a kid, I shared a bunk bed with my younger brother and every night we'd argue about who had to turn off the light and make the frightful journey through the dark to the safety of his own covers. Eventually our parents bought us The Clapper which was swiftly taken away from us due to the racket we made every night for fun...   

It's funny how much enjoyment we got out of that, not to mention the simple pleasures of rapidly flicking the light on and off to give the room a lightening effect. So when I came across this DIY Throwback Frankenstein Switch from Instructables.com it immediately conjured up all those childhood images of joy that we had as kids. This simply constructed frame goes right over the light switch itself so there's no need to tamper with the electrical work. I know I'd still get a kick out of this as an adult and it'd definitely be fun to place in a kids room.

Click here to view the full Instructables.com guide.

This ManMade guest post was written by Ben Robbins of Silas Jackson

It ain’t easy being a short guy. Women “swipe left” on our dating profiles based on height alone, we don’t make as much dough as their taller peers, and there’s no shortage of nicknames that seek to box us in (“shrimp,” “small fry”…I could go on and on). This isn’t fair, of course, but you as a fellow shorter dude actually have some power to fight back –  it’s called the ability to “dress taller.” Now, I didn’t coin this term, but I do have some unique insights into how shorter guys can share in some of the benefits that taller guys take for granted. All you have to do is follow these five simple tips for making tweaks to what you wear and how you wear it:   

1. Avoid Too Much Contrast

Color contrast can be the enemy of shorter men, as vastly different colors between your shirt and your pants will visually subdivide the body, drawing attention to a shorter torso, shorter legs, or both. The same goes for belts; choose a muted color such as brown or black, nothing so loud as to draw attention to your midsection. Stay away from big belt buckles, too. What you want is to limit the alarm bells that go off when someone scans you from head to toe.

2. Go for Slim Fit (even if you’re not slim)

Baggy pants are the bane of short guys’ existence. Ever seen someone who looks like they’re swimming in a sea of fabric? It looks awful and the clothing effectively dwarfs the person, making him appear smaller than he really is. Now, you may think this is a trick that only slimmer men can take advantage of, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Those of us with a few extra pounds should be able to wear slim fit pants as well, as it’s more about the thigh, knee, and calf measurements than the waist size. It may take some digging through clothing racks, but I’ve seen slim fit pants with waist sizes up to 40-42.

3. Tailor Your Clothes

Going to the tailor is a pain and costs money – that’s undeniable. But when you’ve already shelled out for a pair of pants or a blazer, it’s a complete waste not to go the extra step to make sure it fits properly. This is true for all guys, but particularly for shorter men. For shirts, blazers, or jackets, spend the extra few bucks getting the shoulders just right. For pants, getting the hem perfect is key to keeping attention away from a shorter leg length.

4. Tone Down The Patterns

Do you fancy big polka dots or other showy patterns on your shirt? Keep it to yourself. The last thing that you want to do is draw attention to how small you look compared to the garish checkers covering your torso. Don’t get me wrong – it’s perfectly ok to wear some color here and there – but choose small, muted patterns instead of loud ones.

5. Wear Tall Shoes, But Not Lifts

It’s one thing to wear shoes with a bit of height in the sole (which is totally fine) but another to wear lifts in your shoes. We think having a bit of natural height in the heel is a good idea, but would caution against going too far. An extra inch in the sole is subtle enough to increase perceived height without much notice, but any more than that and you’re bound to hear “nice try, buddy” as you walk by.

Oh, and one Bonus Non-Style Tip: Be confident! Standing tall and exuding confidence will immediately change how people see you. So stop slouching (there’s a reason short guys are called shrimps!), stand up straight, and be comfortable in your own skin… that’s enough to add at least a couple of inches to how tall people perceive you to be.

Benjamin Robbins is the Founder & CEO of Silas Jackson, a classic clothing brand for men 5’8” & under. Learn more at SilasJackson.com

Here at ManMade, we love working with wood. It's versatile, strong, and, done right, it looks fantastic. However, working with wood means making joints, and fitting joinery requires real finesse. That's where having a good jig comes in handy. Kreg Tool woodworking jigs are the best in the business and an absolute must-have for any woodshop. So here it is: Our Ultimate Kreg Jig Giveaway! One lucky winner will get:

• 1 Kreg Shelf Pin Jig
• 1 Kreg Concealed Hinge Jig
• 1 Kreg Cabinet Hardware Jig
• 1 Drawer Slide Jig
• 1 K4 Master System, Kreg's do-it-all jig for making perfect joints

Read on to learn how you can win!

Shelf Pin Jig

From Kreg:

"Use the Kreg Shelf Pin Jig to add shelf holes to existing furniture or build custom shelves from scratch." 

If you're making anything with shelves, this jig will help you make it faster and more accurately. 

Concealed Hinge Jig

From Kreg:

"Make cabinet door installation easy! Get drill press accuracy with any hand drill."

With a bit guide and stop collar, this jig ensures perfect hinges, every time. 

Kreg Cabinet Hardware Jig

Use this jig to install knobs and pull handles easily and accurately. 

Drawer Slide Jig

From Kreg:

"The Drawer Slide Jig takes the guesswork out of installing drawer slides. This easy-to use jig holds slides in position as you drill mounting holes in the cabinet, and it supports drawer boxes while mounting slides to the drawer. Plus, the Jig works with ball-bearing, epoxy-coated, and undermount slides for perfect positioning every time."

K4 Master System

The K4 is Kreg's signature tool. From their website:

"The Kreg Jig® K4 Master System is a great choice for any woodworking enthusiast looking for a complete set to get started building with Kreg Joinery™. With its solid clamp, large clamping recess, dust collection attachment, material support stop, and removable 3-hole drill guide, this jig truly has it all. The Master System includes a Kreg Jig® K4, Bonus Kreg® Accessories: the Kreg® Face Clamp, Portable Base, and more."

Those accessories? Yeah, its got a lot of 'em:

• Kreg® Face Clamp
• Portable Base
• 3/8" (9mm) Stepped Drill bit
• 6" (152mm) Square Driver
• 3" (76mm) Square Driver
• Drill Guide Spacer
• Material Support Stop
• Dust-Collection Attachment
• Starter Kreg® Screw Set
• Pocket-Hole Plug Set

Enter below for a chance to win ALL of these jigs (K4 not pictured), a $265 value.

This is a sponsored giveaway in partnership with Kreg. Thanks for supporting the brands that support ManMade and continue to allow us to give away content for free.

There are plenty of places in the shop and office that need a bit of paper cover during a project. Here's a way to keep it close, but out of the way.   I learned a few years ago that a sacrificial surface can be really useful. Covering a countertop or desk with Kraft paper make a fast covering that can be wadded up and tossed when the work is done. But that big roll of paper is a pain to keep around the rest of the time, so put together this roll holder and you'll have it close at hand but  fully out of the way.

This project uses just a few pieces to make a useful piece that includes a shelf on top for storing other things as well. The brackets can be customized to match the space so it blends right in. I've also seen a few used as a massive reminder/scratch board on the wall for plans, ideas, or just the home center shopping list. Write it all on there, then tear it off on the way out the door.

Take a look at the project steps here to figure out how to make your own version.

The term film noir (or “dark film”) was first coined in 1946 (though not used commonly for many years) by French film critic Nino Frank to describe the emerging genre of gritty films that proliferated in the American studio system during the 1940’s-50’s featuring hardboiled detectives, femme fatales, and doomed anti-heroes.   

Film Noir arose in the post-WWII period as American and international audiences found themselves disillusioned by the toll of two world wars and the Great Depression. Returning soldiers, alienated by civilian life, as well as American housewives alienated by their returning husbands, found themselves drawn to these stories of darkness and crime, often featuring outsiders existing on the fringe and underbelly of society. In addition, cost-cutting practices by major studios led filmmakers to innovate around their new limitations. Directors often shot in unsexy locations and low-lighting to avoid illuminating their budgetary constraints while drawing heavily on the chiaroscuro-ed techniques of German Expressionism.

I’m personally a big fan of film noir, as is literally every movie director today. Watch any interview with a modern director and odds are they’ll claim that their newest flick is actually a film noir (although I’ll argue heavily that Drive actually was), probably because film noir wraps a cinephile’s intellectual snobbery with a sense of nostalgia for that uncorrupted-but-corrupted past -- much the way that everyone wants to read the original Peter Pan or Mary Poppins or Little Mermaid. You know, they’ll say, the darker one. So here you go, indulge away.

A note: These are five undeniable classics, but by no means the only ones. Film noir heavily influenced cinema history in a way that few other genres did and there are so many other must-sees that ought to be on this list. But hey, brevity.

The Third Man (1949)

“In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.”

Holly Martin (played by Joseph Cotton in his prime and back when men were still called Holly), a novelist of pulp westerns, travels to Allied-occupied and corrupt Vienna only to discover that the friend he’s visiting (Orson Welles) has been run over by a truck just hours before his arrival. Martin’s investigation into his dear friend’s death leads him down a dark path through the city’s criminal underworld as he unravels the truth about his friend’s nefarious enterprises as well as the identity of the third man at the scene of the fateful truck accident. Famous for Orson Welles’ pleasant and frightening performance as Harry Lime, an innovative zither soundtrack that rose to number one on the international charts, and Carol Reed’s infamous canted camera angles. This was also my personal introduction to proper film noir (although it's technically a British production) and I think it’s a great place to start.

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

“I couldn't be fonder of you if you were my own son. But, well, if you lose a son, it's possible to get another. There's only one Maltese Falcon.”

Directed by John Huston and based on the original novel by the genre’s most beloved aficionado Dashell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon is perhaps the quintessential film noir. It’s got Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade, the hardened San Francisco detective, Mary Astor as the knockout femme fatale, and a host of unforgettable character actors all conniving and vying for possession of the jewel-clad maltese falcon statuette. This is the most parodied film noir and for good reason-- it’s the classic in every way. The film was also the first cinematic pairing of two of my favorite character actors of the time period, Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet, who would go on to make nine more movies together.

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

“Alright, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”

The movie opens with our protagonist floating dead in the fancy backyard pool of an aging silent-film era starlet, and then his narration begins (paving the way for American Beauty to riff this device decades later). It’s the story of a down-on-his-luck screenwriter who is slowly embroiled in the make-believe madness of said starlet and her fantasy-laden belief that Hollywood is eagerly awaiting her comeback. It’s a wonderful tale of mutual exploitation that ends in disaster (which is a description you could actually apply to almost any of these movies). This classic was directed by Billy Wilder and nominated for a whopping eleven Academy Awards, and features a number of behind-the-scenes Hollywood heavy-hitters such as Cecille B. DeMille, gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, and Buster Keaton -- all playing themselves. Plus, there’s a funeral sequence for a monkey.

Double Indemnity (1944)

“Yes, I killed him. I killed him for money - and a woman - and I didn't get the money and I didn't get the woman. Pretty, isn't it?”

Fred MacMurray stars as a hunking and confident insurance representative who gets talked into murdering the unsuspecting husband of a provocative housewife in an attempt to collect the large payout of her husband’s “accidental” death falling under the double indemnity clause. Meanwhile, MacMurray’s boss and dear friend is increasingly hot on the trail. There is snappy dialogue just packed with meaning all throughout this film. The screenplay was written by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler who had a notorious distaste for one another that often resulted in shouting matches. One day Chandler refused to show up to set, citing a laundry list of grievances detailing why he was unable to work with Wilder and his team. Unbelievably, Wilder apologized, later recounting  "It was the first--and probably only--time on record in which a producer and director ate humble pie, in which the screenwriter humiliated the big shots."

Touch of Evil(1958)

“Come on, read my future for me.”

“You haven't got any.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“Your future's all used up.”

Famous for its riveting 3 minute opening shot following a convertible unwittingly carrying a ticking bomb through the dirty streets of a Mexican border town, this Orson Welles-directed feature is considered the last “great” of the classic film noir period. It’s a sleazy story of murder, marijuana, and mayhem with a cigar-chewing corrupt police chief played by Orson Welles at his fattest, Janet Leigh newly married and looking her most alluring, and Charlton Heston inexplicably playing a Mexican DEA agent named Ramon Miguel Vargas with a pencil mustache. It’s a B-movie in the hands of an A-list director in all the best ways.

Honorable Mentions: I’m not actually going to do my usual list here because there are so many classic film noirs to get to (not to mention neo-noirs) that I’ll have to break this into a couple different lists. So look forward to that and feel free to let us know what other classic film noirs are your personal favorites.

At its core, a chair is simply a seat with a back. And while they often have legs and arms and complex joinery for strength, sometimes, a little physics can accomplish the same thing.    

Instructable member More Cowbell shares his simple plans for making a minimalist, stow-able chair from one 8' long, 12" wide pine board. It's basic design allows it to be disassembled and stored flat in standby mode under the bed or in a closet for parties, barbecues, or camping trips. 

The technique involves cutting a large mortise - or, as More Cowbell dubs it, a slot A for tab 1, - to insert the seat, creating rigidity and a comfortable sitting angle. The wood costs less than $10 each, and can easily be sanded, stained, or painted. 

Get the full how-to and measured drawing at Instructables: One Board Minimalist Chair

My best work is done when I'm inspired. These 5 DIY projects will make your office a place you want to spend the next 8 hours in.   1. DIY Paneled Wall - This one is for those that can make some pretty substantial improvements on their space. The $100 price tag for a wall is pretty approachable for such a huge change in the space.

2. Engineer Printed Maps - Large, detailed, and affordable prints from vintage maps or other inspiring pieces.  These interesting pieces are a great way to bring some interesting details to a space that will catch you eye and serve as a unique focal point for the workplace.

3. DIY Acrylic Wall Calendar - Ditch the cat calendar and upgrade to something much cleaner, visually inspiring, and easy to read. This project takes a few common materials and adds a bit of creative flair to keep you on task and ready to take on the day.

4. DIY Trestle Desk - Making this open, simple desk provides the ability to have a stable, open surface that can provide the space to get things done. Easy to make exactly as big as you want to properly fit the room, making a custom desk is really the only way to do it right.

5. DIY Rustic Shelves - This rolling cart is a twist to the industrial pipe shelf, and creates an opportunity to show off some interesting pieces without them being in the way. These rustic shelves are solid, but still easy to build with just a few simple tools.

We just talked about a DIY terrarium here, that would be a perfect piece to set on that new shelf in your overhauled office space. What have you done to make that workspace your own?

Six years ago, my father decided he wanted to read one biography of every American president before he dies. He’s fallen a little behind (I think he’s currently on Madison) but it’s made it easy to think up go-to presents when gift-giving holidays come around. Scouring the internet for the most definitive biography of each president has rubbed off a little and now I’ve got some serious must-reads to recommend…   

Washington: A Life, by Ron Chernow

Look, you just can’t skip Washington. The more I read about early American history the more I am utterly blown away by Washington’s life choices and the immense respect literally everyone had for him. He was elected unanimously. He more or less liberated America. The duties of the executive branch as set forth in the constitution were purposely left vague because everyone assumed Washington would be in power for a long time and was just like, "Ehhhh... he’ll know what to do." Washington: A Lifeis the Pulitzer-Prize winning “cradle-to-grave narrative” of Washington written over six years by Ron Chernow after being inspired by his research while writing a little known biography of that inconsequential historical figure Alexander Hamilton.

John Adams, by David McCullough

Known to modern-day Americans as the stodgy statesmen derisively described in Hamilton as the “fat motherf*cker,” Adams was never very popular in his day. He made a number of enemies as the lawyer who chose to defend the British soldiers who committed the Boston Massacre, was never popular at parties, and even had his personal diary read out loud and ridiculed on the congress floor. Nevertheless he was an ardent romantic and seminal figure in American history. I’m currently halfway through the award-winning HBO miniseries (4 Golden Globes, 13 Emmys - more than any miniseries in history) starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney based on McCullough’s Pulitzer-Prize winning book and I’m loving it so far.

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin

It’s hard to pin down exactly which Lincoln biography to read seeing as there are two Pulitzer-Prize winning works on his life and four other finalists. I’m going with Doris Kerns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals for a couple of reasons. Notably, it’s written by a Pulitzer-Prize winner (though for another biography on FDR) but told through the narrative lens of Lincoln’s unique decision to fill his cabinet posts with his political and intellectual rivals. As a result, the reader gets an unparalleled look into Lincoln’s brain and thinking through his charged conversations that literally affected the outcome of the world, without dwelling too much on the more commonly known facts about Lincoln. This biography is also the basis for Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning film, Lincoln.

Theodore Roosevelt Trilogy by Edmund Morris

This trilogy should be required reading for any modern American man who cares about intentional and arduous living. I’ve recommended the first book covering Roosevelt’s early years up to the night McKinley is assassinated, and I imagine I’ll stand by that one until I die. The second book covers Roosevelt’s time in office while the third covers his post-presidency phase (I’m currently on the third). Morris’ writing is engrossing and engaging while historically enlightening. Please read this first one, it’s good.

Master of the Senate, book three from Robert Caro's The Years of Lyndon Johnson

I’m usually a guy who is willing to engage with a series from the start even if it takes a good while to get good (the original Star Trek comes to mind) if only to have the immersive, chronological experience. This actually wasn’t the case here though. I’d been looking for good books to better understand the American Congress and how our political system actually works and time and time again I came across the third book in Robert Caro’s five-part LBJ series, Master of the Senate. Ostensibly a history of LBJ’s rise to the seat of power in the Senate, it is at once a searing look into the mind of one of our most powerful and power-hungry presidents in his early political years on the national stage, while also offering a contextual framework of the inner machinations of our senatorial process through the lens of the man who reshaped it. I highly recommend it.

What am I missing? What are some of your favorite presidential biographies? Let us know in the comments!

The chain saw. Love it or fear it, this workhorse has made its way into my DIY life after years of avoiding it. And?  I'm totally mad I waited this long! A chain saw is a great tool for even the most entry level of projects, and, if you use good technique and follow the right precautions, totally safe to use. With autumn officially here, we're taking a look at this essential piece of gear. 

What makes a great chain saw.

There are a few things to look for when you purchase a chain saw: intended use, size, ergonomic design, and motor power source. All of these qualifications will also depend on how you plan on using your saw on a regular basis. Let's break those down:

Use

How you plan to use a chain saw will greatly determine what kind you need. If you plan on doing home landscaping, small trees and shrubs and small lumber chopping, an electric saw will be your best bet. It's cheaper and more economical and requires less maintenance, but not nearly as powerful. Don't expect to chop up some firewood in a few minutes with an electric saw.

Note: if you buy an electric saw, be sure to also buy a heavy gauge power cord to carry the power it requires.

The other option is a gas saw. These are my favorite solely on their power and lasting quality. Expect to chop up what you need within a few seconds, not minutes. For whatever reason, I've also found that gas saws are even built with better quality than any electric saw I've seen on the market. They're a little more to deal with, but what we ultimately recommend if you're investing in the tool.

Size

For me, I use my saw to chop up small trees, sizing down large cuts of lumber and even some random artistic carving. For that reason, I chose an 18" bar saw for about $150-200. This size keeps storage space to a minimum and the weight and cost down. You really only need something larger if you plan on felling large trees on a daily basis.  And if you are, then you're probably not reading this article.

Design

Though a lot of the design of a saw will also flex the cost all over the place picking a saw with the right features can really make a difference in the saw. Look for features like automatic chain oiling, vibration reduction handles, metal bucking spikes (some are plastic) and a hard storage case.

Chain saw Upkeep

It's important to take care with your investment of a chain saw by staying up on chain saw maintenance. Here's a few things to do before and after each use of your saw.

1. If your saw requires blended fuel, make sure you're using the correct ratio. It will likely be something like 40:1 or 50:1 fuel to oil.
2. Make sure your chain oil reservoir is filled. It's bad news if your bar and chain burn up if it's not properly, constantly being oiled.
3. Check your chain tension. Some models come with tool-less adjustments and others require a few wrenches. 
4. Check for sawdust clogged areas. My saw has exhaust openings that face the sawdust blowout. So, I have to check and make sure the pipes aren't clogged. 
5. Wipe down everything. Chain saws fling a lot of debris all over you and your saw. When you're finished using it, a stiff brush or pneumatic air blower to clean it off.

Which One Should You Get? 

If you live in a home with a yard, or own a fireplace or backyard fire pit (or, for that matter, a smoker), a chainsaw is the fastest and easiest way to make clean, fence-free cuts to break down logs, both those still connected in the ground and sized in your firewood pile. 

If you're ready to step it up, first, let's discuss safety. Chainsaws are prone to kickback, so be sure you understand how to use yours properly. Read the manual and follow the instructions for feed rate to keep things smooth and clean. And, of course, be sure to wear proper safety equipment. This includes heavy duty boots and thick fabrics to protect your body, and ear protection, shatter-proof safety googles, and a dust mask or respirator. Don't mess with this stuff, friends.

Alright, so what to buy. Most homeowners and DIYers want a two-stroke motor and an 16-20" bar and chain assembly. We recommend the following for first timers.

ManMade Recommended: 

• Remington RM5118R Rodeo 51cc 2-Cycle 18-Inch Gas Chainsaw - $199 
  Pictured here. A great balance of size, power, and price. Our #1 recommendation.
• Poulan P3314 14-Inch 33cc 2-Cycle Gas-Powered Chain Saw - $115
• Husqvarna 440E 16-Inch 40.9cc 2-Stroke X-Torq Gas Powered Chain Saw - $299
• Poulan Pro PP5020AV 20-Inch 50cc 2 Stroke Gas Powered Chain Saw - $199

Got your chainsaw? Itching to put it to work? Use it to make a Swedish flame log and cook up a cast iron meal over the open flame.