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How to: Make Your Own "Vintage" American Flag with Tons of Character

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tea-stain american flag

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!

 

What you'll need

  • A 100% cotton flag of your choice - I bought a smaller one at a local flag store. Amazon has a few available too.
  • Cheap black tea bags. 5-8 family sized or 10+ for regular sized. It will depend on how big your flag is and how dark you want it.
  • A batch of used coffee grounds
  • A heat safe bucket, sink or basin
  • Tea kettle or large enough pot for boiling water

tea-stain american flag

First, you'll need to pre-wash your flag to remove any chemicals or protective coating they've put on the flag. I used regular detergent and dried on the delicate cycle.

tea-stain american flag

tea-stain american flag Next, brew your tea bags into a large bucket or boil water in a stock pot that's large enough to hold tea and the flag. Allow the tea to steep for a few moments, then plunge the towel into the tea. Use a wooden spoon to keep from burning your hands.

Let the flag sit in the tea for 3-6 hours. Depending on how dark the tea is and how long it sits will determine the amount of dying it will take on. 

tea-stain american flag

Once the flag has sat for several hours, dump out the tea and fill back the bucket with cold water. This will set the tea stain. Let it sit in the cold water for another hour. 

tea-stain american flag

After it's set in cold you can tumble try it or air dry it until it's reasonably dry, it doen't have to be super dry.

 

tea-stain american flagNext, set out the flag on a table and dump your coffee grounds on top and selectively rub the grounds into the seams and into the whites of the flag. This will add touches of dark brown and streaks that will give it more character. Dump the grounds into a bucket, flip the flag over  and repeat on the other side.

tea-stain american flag

 Finally, rinse off the coffee grounds with cold water and allow it to air dry until done. Before you hang it on your wall you can steam press it to get the wrinkles out or keep the wrinkles for character! 

tea-stain american flag


Looking for a Unique Gift? How About a DIY Ring Made from Colored Pencils?

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Colored Pencil RingWe 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.   Turning a very normal set of colored pencils into a pile of used sawdust is usually the job of a 6 year old as they scribble all over that coloring book. But this project takes the very same supplies and creates an impressive and one-of-a-kind ring instead. The process is deceptivly simple but incredibly creative and really reminds me that there's beauty to be found just about anywhere, it's just a matter of having an eye to see it.
Glued Up Pencils

Take a look at his video below for a really cool overview of how to make something like this yourself.

After that, it's time to take a look around your place and find something unique to make from that pile of toys.

Turning An Old Car Into An Electric Car (while doubling the horsepower or tripling the torque)

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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.      

created at: 10/26/2015
The company is called EV Westand has been around since 2010 when they first set the goal of building a custom BMW M3 to compete in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Since then, they've expanded to adapting older models and outfitting them to compete in the real world. Michael Bream doesn't just want to make the cars he touches faster, he wants to double their horsepower or triple their torque. 

Listen to him talk in the interview above or read more about the company and their progress on Popular Mechanics.

Workshop Inspiration: The Woodgrain Wall and Workbench

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I spied this rather droolworthy workbench and storage area through some pin of a pin of a Tumblr of a magazine...or some other complicated internet sharing equation that's left it untraceable. (If you can help us find the source of the original image, please let us know in the comments).

But a long look at the space reveals some key takeaways that are worth noting: 

  • That woodgrain pegboard is totally amazing, and I'm pretty sure not available in the United States. But you could technically use an existing piece of pegboard as a template to perfectly drill out a piece of plywood with holes 1" on center
  • Always make room for the things that make shop work pleasant. Note the radio and the pourover coffee setup
  • European softwoods have a much more pleasing grain pattern than those native to the U.S. Shame...
  • Those drawers and cabinets are actually pretty simple and primitive in a good way. But done well, they look amazing and seem to do the job, though they won't be protected from sawdust. Maybe you don't need fancy hardwood fronts and sliding hardware. 
  • Power outlets directly available on the benchtop are essential
  • That chisel/file/tool rack is super cool. It looks like its two pieces of wood sandwiched together with mortises or holes for each tool shaft. Making it with the same wood pegboard (or at least adding the same dot pattern) helps it blend in perfectly.

Now - be inspired, and go do one thing awesome for your shop. We're gonna go create some more of these: How to: Build a Simple DIY Pegboard Shelf

 

How to: Make Your Own Typographic Illustrations and Artwork

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Everyone likes a nice motivational quote with a fine adventurous backdrop and some nice typography that reminds us to get outside.   

And now, you can make your own without having to become an excellent photographer and hand-letterer. 

The Spoongraphics blog shows you how to trace an outline for your shape, then apply a cool Envelope Distort effect in Photoshop that allows you to fill the silhouette with custom letter shapes and sizes for a true hand-drawn look. Finish up the whole thing with some retro-inspired Photoshop Action filters, and be prepared to have your images Repinned a billion times. This could easily be scaled to one of those large-format digital blueprints and hung up anywhere in your space. Nice. 

Get the full how-to: How To Create Typography Illustrations the Easy Way[Spoongraphics.co.uk] 

 

Your Specs Can Save Your Life: How to Survive with Eyeglasses

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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.   Casey Lyons highlights the myriad ways you can use your glasses in survivalists situations. It's a little tongue-in-cheek and a little truthful, but it's worth a read. As one of your nearsighted brethren, it's good to know what to do with what you have. If you can't use your specs in these specific ways (if the lenses are the wrong type or the frames not made of stainless steel) you can easily apply these techniques to other gear or materials you might have handy. 

How to Survive with Eyeglasses[Backpacker.com]

 

How to Remove Rust with Electrolysis: It's Easier than You Think

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created at: 10/27/2015

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.   

But these old tools are worth pursuing, cleaning up, and sharpening to return them to their former glory. And the most efficient way: electrolysis, or using a direct current to cause a chemical reaction. 

There's a variety of methods but the simplest one avoids any harsh or caustic chemicals, and relies on stuff you probably already have: a plastic bucket, a car battery charger, and baking soda. 

created at: 10/27/2015

George Vondriska from the Woodworkers Guild of America has all the details. Check out his series here:

Removing Rust with Electrolysis[WWGOA.com]

 

 

 

 

David's Shop Upgrade: Building a Custom Tool Island and (Finally!) Cleaning Up...

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Tool IslandA 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.   Immediately, I regretted my forward thinking because it was almost almost impossible to build wall cabinets in a destroyed shop. So, lesson one - break it slowly and have the replacement ready first. While I was able to pull the cabinets together and get them on the wall, it took way too long to get it done.Once that process was over, I stumbled all over the tools on the floor for the weekend building the tool island. The tool island is built to hold my planer, band saw, scroll saw, miter saw, and grinder, with wheels on the bottom to keep it mobile; and I made it primarily from pieces in the shop because I'll be painting it white and covering most of it with peg board anyway. The top is one of my old counters that's warped and dinged, so I cut it into strips, glued back and planed down for a fresh surface. It's almost done, with one more glue-joint and doors which I'll make during the next phase. Here's a look:Tool Island

All the tools on the top of the island? I walked around them on the floor for way too long.

Tool IslandI originally started to design the project in SketchUp, which turned out pretty real at the time. I really wanted to work out a way to keep my planer off the counter top but still accessible. While it's a bit hard to stoop when using, the convenience is excellent and I can still pull it out for extended use. Another perk - the extended out-feed support is built right in.Planer Port

While my first design would have worked, I ended up going with a simpler box version supported by 2x3 studs because of my materials on hand, and the ability to keep it stable and still accessible for adjustments and storage.Base

The base of the island is made from a 2x4 frame with a 2'x4' Particle Board sheet on top. I cut 6 15" long supports for the corners and edges of the storage space and secured them to the base with pockethole screws and glue.Pocket Holes

The sides and top of the storage space was boxed in with 1/2" sheet goods, while the front will have a frame and doors attached. I'm not concerned about the mix of materials at this point, as most surfaces will have a peg-board attached for tool storage.Planer Support

The Planer Space was created with 6 more 15" supports for the corners and long edges, spaced so that the planer can still be adjusted and removed through the side opening. the back was secured with a 1/2" sheet as well as half of the front. Supports for the top spanned each end and the center so the top would be fully secured.Strips

At this point, I trimmed the edges and added a peg-board in one section, then moved on to the top. The Fir top has been in the shop for a few years so it's weathered and bowed. I cut it into 1.5" strips and turned them on their cut edges for a new surface. I glued them into 13" planks so they would fit into the planer, and smoothed them out with a few passes. (They're still drying, so they will need a few more passes and a final glue-up/trimming for the total 26" top).Strip Top

This island was sized for my space, so it's more about the concept on this project than the measurements. Here are a few thoughts if you want to make your own:

1. Make It Mobile - This type of shop furniture needs to be able to move when more room is needed during large projects, or when it's just in the way. Throw a good set of locking wheels under there to keep it convenient.

2. Get Creative - Putting the Planer down low was a great way to get a bulky tool out of sight but still within reach. I use it much more when it's easy to use.

3. Think About The Future - when sizing the top, keep in mind you'll be trading in some tools at some point for better, maybe larger versions. If I stick with bench top models, there's still a bit of room on there for expanding.

4. Don't Forget The Guts - Electrical and Dust Collection are a huge part of keeping tools running well. Make sure to plan for how you'll handle that. I've got a heavy duty extension cord and fused power strip, along with a no-trip cable protector on the shelf and ready to install. I also have a flexible dust collection hose with adapters for each tool, just pull it over and hook it on.Clamp

This project is still a few steps from completed, but I'm now moving on to the next phase where I'll be building the bulk of my cabinet shells and the new counter tops to go with them. It will be a slow process with holidays on the way, but I'll keep updating as it comes along!


Let's All Go to Deer Cabin

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Deer cabin

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 thanDeer Cabin near Flathead Lake in Montana.

This one-room, 300-square-foot log cabin is built in the Adirondack style, and sticks to the basics.

As Connie Stone, the cabin's owner remarks in the piece from Architectural Digest, "'Every man, including my husband, who walks in says, 'What more do you need?' relates Connie Stone. 'Even people you wouldn't think would respond to it want to be there washing the dishes and heating the water and all that.' "

Get the water boiling, Ms. Stone. We'll be there in just a bit.

Read the full article and see the whole slideshow at ArchitecturaldDigest.com: Deer Cabin Reverie

5 Seriously Good Productivity Tips that Aren't Just About Getting More Stuff Done

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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.   

1. Stop Treating Your Inbox Like Your To-Do List: Your email inbox should not be a list of the things that you're currently dealing with. It should be one of the things that you deal with at some point in the day.

See, when the server pushes through and we get a new set of emails and immediately respond, our brain gets tricked into thinking we're being productive. Dealing with those unread mails might feel like you're actually removing things from your to-do list, Pavlov's dogs-style, but the truth is, once it's dealt with, you're still in the exact same position that you were before the emails arrived in the first place. 

So, instead: keep a separate to-do list with whatever system you like, and have "deal with inbox" be an item on that list. Try checking your email twice a day, or only after you've done one other creative problem-solving bit of work. 

Note how it changes your anxiety levels. We're betting it's for the better. 

2. Drown out the noise with more noise: This is for those who work in a crowded office, or regularly from the coffee shop, co-working habitat, or other public space. Most people can't write while listening to music with words or talk radio/podcasts - the narratives combat themselves and just leave us confused. Instrumental music works, but can also confuse things.

So, fill your ears with something else. This is especially helpful if your favorite coffee shop plays that Latin jazz internet radio station just a little too loud. (I love you, Ugly Mug, but turn that cumbia down). Just grab some ear buds or whole-ear headphones, and listen to some, well, noise.  (By the way, these are the earphones you want)

I have two favorite long-format YouTube videos that work wonders. One is just ten hours of white noise, and the other is a pulsing set of oscillator waves that suppose to increase productivity. Whether the latter actually does or not is up for discussion, but what they both definitely achieve is a heavy bed of ear-filling background noise that prevents other stuff from entering. It's a little jarring at first, but within three or four minutes, you'll have completely forgotten it's there cause you'll be too busy getting s**t done. 

Here are the two I use regularly:

3. Don't start your day with the thing you want to do least. This could just as easily say "Don't check your email first thing in the morning" but, the effect is bigger than that. When we get up early just to get ready for work to then make the commute for work to then just start working, you've reduced your self, your brain, and your soul/heart/whatever it is that makes you you into a robot, something that gets booted only to do work and then feel better after it's done.

So, maybe you'll have to get up a little earlier, but start your day with something you care about that's not just getting the not-fun stuff out of the way. Don't begin by getting yourself organized; begin by getting yourself inspired. Read something in a paper book or newspaper, make a killer breakfast or cup of coffee, doodle a bit, call someone you love. 

Just think of it this way: if you made a list of everything you did every day, what would be the first thing you'd want to see? Starting your day with something that helps you behave like the best version of yourself allows you to enter into that one thing you don't want to do as that best version. It's true. It works. Make time for it. 

4. Interact with people you like. I'm sorry if you have one of those jobs where you can't deal with personal stuff on company time. You'll have to be secretive about this, or commit to simply interacting with the people you like within the office. But — you're a human being, whose life is full of relationships and feelings and memories and commitments to maintain. So, talk to someone. Not all day, or else it becomes a distraction. But tell someone hello; text your mom and ask how her weekend was; tell your partner you love them; praise someone because they did a good job on that last project; interact with your kids. Use an exclamation point in that email! Who cares if its non-professional?! The workday could use some goodness and energy!  I have zero problem with receiving the very same "Psst... I love you." message from my wife every day. That bothers no one, and if it's someone you'll be seeing later, it'll probably improve your evening.

Be in the habit of recognizing everyone wants to hear something positive. You will know when and that they received your message, and you'll feel better, because you'll be reminded why you're working so hard in the first place.

It only has to take 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. But it'll improve your Wednesday. 

5. Move. Work is all about the interaction of your brain and your body. Whatever it is that you do, whichever of those two that it prioritizes. When you work with your body (mowing the lawn, sanding your latest woodworking project, waiting tables, doing hard labor) we use our brain to balance it, either by getting some good thinking done, or by zoning out and giving our minds a chance to process all the little bits in recovery mode.

The flipside is true as well. So, when you're engaged in creative problem solving with your mind, move around. Talk a walk. Go to the bathroom. Pace. Do some pushups or situps. Nothing kills productivity like sitting still. Look at this graphic. You're not just concentrating; you're dulling your mental processes. This is why lightbulb moments happen in the shower. This is especially important when you're feeling dull and grumpy.

Set yourself up to let those moments happen. Get up. Stand up. Walk around. Move. 

Oh, and while you're at it - drink less coffee and more water. You don't need to be any more stimulated. 

 

 

ManMade Essential Toolbox: Step Up Your DIY Game with the Ladders Every Home Should Own

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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. 

created at: 10/29/2015

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.   I didn't know that at the time. But after years in my 20s of climbing on top of bookshelves, spinning chairs, stacks of crates and other unsoundly structures to make repairs or hang Christmas lights, at some point, at age 30, I became the owner of a ladder. A proper ladder, that could flip and flex into a myriad of patterns that allowed me to safely access things that were taller than me, fix problems, and not be an idiot while balancing on the edge of something already oh-so-unstable. Like a damn grownup. 

So, yeah, we're definitely deeming the ladder and other elevators as an essential tool for any home. Here's what to know. 

created at: 10/29/2015

What to Look for in a Ladder

There are dozens, maybe hundreds of kinds of ladders out there, all designed for specific tasks to help people safely move up and down. For the home owner, ladders are typically intended to help humans reach places that are taller than they are, either to get to some higher level (climb to your roof, for example, reaching your attic) or to stand on while performing a task (cleaning gutters, painting high walls and ceilings, etc).

Depending on the needs of your home (high ceilings, attic storage, etc), you could end up with a full collection of ladders intended for specific tasks, which is 1) expensive and 2) hard to store and keep organized. So, of course, your home's needs may require otherwise, but for most of us: take a two-pronged approach. Get one large, convertible ladder for serious tasks, and shorter, simple tall step stool for simple tasks. Two ladders - one big, one small - with which you can reach anything in your house. 

 

created at: 10/29/2015

The Big Ladder

Here, you have three main options: the A-frame "step" ladder (which folds onto itself), and extension ladder (which slides into itself), or a convertible/hybrid ladder that combines the functionality of both. These hybrid ladders are generally built like a classic A-frame ladder with an extension built into each leg and locking pivot hardware on the fulcrum that allows it to be used in A-frame (two legs, self-supported) or extension ladder (leaning and wall supported).created at: 10/29/2015

The appeal to the the hybrid, convertible style is obvious. It can be used for basically any home task, including scaffolding. If you're starting from scratch, I can't see a reason to buy any other kind, except for the weight.

If you have one type of large ladder but need another for other tasks, you could supplement what you already own. But I'd sell or donate the one you have, and save up for a hybrid. Same amount of storage space, and, like, four times the functionality. Yes, I'm that convinced. 

created at: 10/29/2015

The Small Ladder

If you asked me about the best $30 I ever spent in my garage workshop, my answer would, totally and truly honestly, be this little folding Cosco stepladder. I use it daily. My garage has 10 - 13" ceilings (depending on roof slope) and we certainly take advantage of the vertical storage space. Being able to reach those things easily in a matter of seconds means I can put stuff I use on every project in spots above my head. That's an amazing deal in a small space.

But the stepladder is also a useful tool around the house. If you're over 5'6" or so, you can easily reach the top of the walls in a standard 8 - 9" ceiling home. This means you can easily accomplish lots of tasks without having to lug around a big heavy ladder. 

See? Really big ladder for big stuff; just big enough ladder for the small stuff. It works.

created at: 10/29/2015

Which Ladder Should You Buy?

Of course, pay attention to your home's needs. You got cathedral ceilings? Plan accordingly. But for most of us, this is what I'd get.

ManMade Recommended:

Hybrid and A-Frame Ladders

 

Step Ladders

 

 

 

 

Because It's Fall: 5 Apple Flavored Desserts You Should Make This Weekend

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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.    

1. Skillet Apple Pie with Cinnamon Whipped Cream - Cast iron skillet. Pie. Apples. We need not say more.

Apple Sticks

2. Mini Caramel Apples -  Like cake pops for the fall, these bite-sized snacks are a great way to wrap up a meal with friends. Made from just a few ingredients, they're easy to make, and even easier to eat, so watch out. 

 

Baked Apples3. Baked Apples - Make these before the party, and toss them into the oven after pulling out the meal. By the time your guests are done with the main course, desert will be ready to go. Baked apples are like an inside out apple pie, with just enough crust, and plenty of gooey center.

 

Salted Apple Hand Pies 4. Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies - If you have the time, these personal pies are great for mobile snacking. For everyone who hates to share (let's be honest, that's all of us), the sight of these will put a smile on your face.

 

5. Heavenly Apple Cake - A whole cake? Yeah, and this one, supposedly,  "stays fresh and gooey for days." As if it'll last that long. 

So grab a bag of apples, plenty of sugar and spices, and get ready for a great fall with good friends and great food. 

How to: Best Prepare Your Yard For The Winter

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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.   

The most surprising thing I found on this list was the idea that one should water their evergreens (depending on your precipitation levels) to keep them from dehydrating in the winter. Also, you should keep cutting your lawn all the way through November if you can; uncut grass shades the lower pieces and prevents growth, and then the taller grass has a higher likelihood of lying down beneath the snow and creating snow mold (which nobody wants).

Check out all the tips from Popular Mechanics.

How to Eat Sushi...or, 7 Things You're Probably Doing Wrong

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created at: 10/30/2015

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), check out these Seven Sushi Rules You're Probably Breaking from Eater.   

Sushi is prepared with insane amounts of love and dedication, and demands a similar level of respect by the customer. Check out the video above for the key facts to improve your sushi eating experience by doing it right. 

Also if you've never seen Jiro Dreams of Sushi (a documentary about the world's most famous sushi chef that is so enticing its sexy), you absolutely must. 

Everything You Need to Know (and Own) to Build the Ultimate Home Bar

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created at: 10/27/2015

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.   But while bartenders have truly turned the craft of the cocktail into artistry, when it comes to infused tinctures and complicated (often fiery) presentations, it's easy to forget that you can do the same thing at home.

The good news is: you can make an extremely wide variety of cocktails and highballs with just a few essential bottles, some carefully selected mixers and modifiers, and the right gear. They will taste just as delicious and cost only 20 - 25% of what you'd pay in a swanky cocktail bar, or your favorite dive-y watering hole. And since most spirits don't expire for many years, by assembling the right arsenal, you'll have the goods on hand and be ready to go whenever the occasion calls for it. 

So, we're offering a serious man's guide to building an amazing home bar by focusing on the essentials. We're teaming up with our friends at The Famous Grouse, makers of the best-selling Scotch whisky in Scotland for the last 30 years, to bring you the bottles, the gear, and the techniques to turn out amazing cocktails at home.  

No crowds required. 

 

created at: 10/26/2015

The Eight Essential Bottles

Despite the rows and rows of up-lighted spirits you see behind those vest-wearing drink shakers, you can make an enormous variety of drinks with a mere eight bottles. Here's the all-star team: 

1. The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch: Balanced, crisp with just the right amount of malt, The Famous Grouse is a killer option for a wide variety of cocktails and for simply sipping neat. In it, you'll taste well-balanced oak and sherry flavores with a hint of citrus, and some really nice Speyside fruitiness. Whisky is the backbone for a huge variety of classic cocktails, and this is seriously one of the best blends its class.

2. London Dry Gin: Bright, bold, and aromatic, it's key to most classic cocktails that aren't whisky-based, and essential in spring and summer. London Dry Gin is the most versatile option, and can be mixed with a variety of ingredients without flavor clash. 

3. Blanco Tequila: Often called "silver" in the states, this is pure, unaged agave flavor that holds it own in a cocktail. Aged tequilas like añejo or reposados have their place, but if you want it to taste like tequila, go for a 100% agave blanco. No shot glasses or salt shakers need apply. 

4. Vodka: Essentially tasteless, vodka is used to add body and fortitude to a variety of mixed drinks. We wouldn't make a martini with it, but it's a great way to extend a cocktail or more expensive ingredients. Simple, affordable options from Russia or Scandinavia get the job done.

5. Kentucky Bourbon: Sweet and corn-forward, this is America's native spirit. A great complement to The Famous Grouse blended Scotch, which, together, can meet all your whisky cocktail needs. 

6. Amber Rum: Like whisky, and unlike tequila, aged rums really show what the spirit can do in a mixed drink. "Amber" is not the same thing as spiced rum, but is the same product as gold rum. The color here simply comes from the barrel-aging process. Look for a relatively young rum for cocktails (five years or so), and avoid anything with any tropical, neon colors on the bottle. 

7. Sweet Vermouth: Technically a fortified wine rather than a true distilled spirit, vermouth is the most classic of cocktail modifiers. If you're a true martini fan, you'll also want to stock dry vermouth (see below), but the sweet is much more versatile and works in a variety of drinks. 

8. Orange liqueur - This inclusion incorporates triple sec and curaçao and other orange liqueurs that have been part of the cocktail arsenal since its earliest days. Feel free to spend a little more here; you'll use much less of these guys than your base spirits, and it really adds elegance to a drink. 

  

Essential Mixers and Bitters

Some drinks are just pure spirits (a Negroni, for example), but most incorporate a variety of secondary ingredients to add flavor, body, energy, and proper dilution. There are a million options here, but these are the guys to keep around all the time, every time.

  • Angostura bitters: Bitters are the salt and pepper of the cocktail, and Angostura is the classic. If a recipe doesn't specify a type of bitters, it means Angostura. Get 'em, use 'em, love 'em.
  • Orange bitters: The most versatile partner to Angostura. Great orange bitters have the perfect balance between sweet fruit and bitter pith, just like an orange should have. 
  • Good tonic water: Unfortunately, most commercial tonics are just too sweet. You can cut these with soda water, but that dilutes that essential herbal, tonic flavor. Instead, look for some of the newer, smaller batch, high quality tonics that have emerged in the last decade. 
  • Soda water: If you have a home carbonation system you're set here, but keeping some glass bottles or cans of soda on hand is essential for effervescent cocktails. Opening them fresh keeps the bubbles coming. 
  • Ginger ale/beer: A classic component of a wide variety of cocktail, ginger ale adds bubbles, dilution, sweetness, and aromatic spice all in one. Like tonic water, look for a quality, smaller batch variety that you can keep in bottles or cans for when the need comes up. 
  • Simple syrup: Sugar doesn't dissolve in cold water, or in alcohol. So, cocktails often call for simple syrup, a 1:1 mixer of sugar and water, heated and stirred until combined. We often make a 2:1 sugar to water syrup, which lasts much, much longer in the fridge (up to six months). Just cut the portion in half when mixing, and it's good to go for when you need it. 
  • Fresh lemons and limes (and grapefruits and oranges): Fresh citrus juice is a major component in many recipes, but the peels of these guys are just as important, as they contain all the essential oils that flavor the glass and smell amazing. Of course, these don't last forever and don't keep indefinitely in your home bar, but as you get into home cocktail craft, you'll start to pick them up on your regular grocery trips. 

 

Step It Up

The above are the essentials, and with them, you can make thousands of drinks. Once you're ready to increase you cocktail game, here are a few additional spirits, modifiers, and bitters that will seriously expand your palette.  

  • Italian bitter liqueurs, known as amari
  • Rye whiskey
  • Genever, the Dutch antecedent to gin
  • Brandy (American) or Cognac
  • Dry vermouth
  • White rum
  • Peychaud's bitters, another classic
  • "Wildcard" bitters: there are dozens out there. Pick a signature flavor to add a personal stamp to your creations. 

 

created at: 10/26/2015

The Glasses

There are dozens of specific cocktail glasses out there. The good news is: you only need four, and you probably already own three of them

  • 6 oz. martini or coupe glass - a proper Martini is only 3-4 oz. Avoid the gigantic 10-12 oz fishbowls and get the proper glass for the job. These will work for any drinks that are stirred or shaken with ice and served "up". If you opt for the coupe glass route (curved sides rather than straight), you 1) will look cooler and 2) can use them for serving sparkling wine
  • 8 oz. rocks glass - this is a heavy bottomed glass used for serving neat whisky, simple highballs or two ingredient cocktails, or drinking "on the rocks."
  • 16 oz. highball glass - the standard glass you drink water from everyday. These are good for "tall" drinks, or cocktails that are mixed with lots of ice and soda for slow, cool sipping. 
  • Stemmed wine glasses - you do not need champagne flutes. You do not need any specialty glasses, unless you specifically love drinking neat whisky and opt for the go-to Glencairn. You need large bowl wine glasses, from which you can drink everything from cold bubbly drinks to brandy in, if you hold them properly. The large opening allows for maximum aroma.

 

The Tools

Once you've assembled your software, it's time to build the collection of hardware you'll use to transform those ingredients into a proper cocktail. You can go crazy here, but really, there are just a few tools that you absolutely must have to begin, and you can expand your arsenal as you develop your skills.

created at: 10/26/2015

First up, the shaker. You might be familiar with the all metal, three-part "Cobbler" shaker with the built-in strainer and lid. Skip that one and go for a Boston shaker, with consists of a weighted 25-30 oz shaking tin that's sized to match with a standard 16 oz pint glass (the kind you can find anywhere and in which you would likely be served a pint of beer.) These two are held together by a vacuum. Combined, you can shake cocktails with ice, or you can simply use the glass component to stir drinks.

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created at: 10/26/2015

You can stir cocktails with the glass from your Boston shaker set, but for style points, nothing beats a dedicated quilted glass. These are much larger and allow you to really spin your spoon around, mixing two cocktails at once. A must-have for fans of stirred cocktails like martinis, Negronis, and Manhattans, plus they just look darn cool sitting on your bar cart, especially if you pony up the extra couple bucks for a seamless version

Oh, and these is a good place to discuss another question: When should you shake a cocktail vs stir it? 

  • You should shake: when a cocktail contains cloudy or opaque ingredients like juice, dairy, fresh citrus, or eggs.
  • You should stir: when a cocktail only contains spirits or clear liquids

 

So, margarita? Shake it. Gin martini? Stir. Sorry, 007. Good at spying; bad at cocktails.

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created at: 10/26/2015 The tools you need to interact with the ingredients in your glass or shaker are three: the strainer, the cocktail spoon, and the muddler. 

The strainer does just that: it keeps the ice and other little bits in the shaker while you pour into the serving glass. We prefer the julep strainer over the spring-y Hawthorne strainer; in this case, simpler is better.

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The bar spoon is used for stirring drinks in a mixing glass. The spoon at one end is also a standard measurement (about 5 ml or 1 teaspoon). Many recipes will call for a bar spoon of sugar or a liqueur, for example. The spoon's long handle is twisty, which you can use to aid in the making of a curly twist for garnish. Often, you'll find something else at the end - either a fork for cherries or olives, or a small muddler for pounding ingredients.

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The muddler is a mini baseball bat looking thing that's used to crush ingredients like fresh fruit and herbs at the bottom of a glass to release their essential oils and rich flavors. There are many styles; just look for a long one that best accommodates your hand size. And if you happen to have a wood lathe or a 1 1/2" thick hardwood dowel and a crosscut saw, by all means, make your own. 

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created at: 10/26/2015

You can use your standard ice maker or tray ice for stirring and shaking, but for serving, go for something special that interacts well with the content. You can really get into ice size and clarity and technique, but for the home bartender, two silicone trays are nice: one in 2" square size for drinks made with aged spirits and drinking "on the rocks," and one 1" square. The larger size is great, as it will slow the dilution rate of your cocktail or whisky, allowing it to be chilled, but not water-y.  The 1" cube fit in the glass better, and allow you to customize just the right amount. Plus, they look much better in the drink.

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created at: 10/26/2015

Fresh citrus is a major ingredient in lots of cocktails, and definitely the most prominent ingredient after spirits and ice. The deeper you get into making great drinks at home, the more you'll regularly be grabbing lots of fresh limes and lemons at the supermarket. Citrus is valuable for both its juice, which adds acidity and volume, and its zest or peel, which contains all the essential oils. The outside of a lemon, for example, smells much more like a lemon than the inside. 

To get the most out of your citrus, you'll need a few tools. First, a small paring knife and cutting board that you can keep with your cocktail tools. If that's already in your kitchen, you're all set, and can use the same on you'd use in your weeknight cooking. But if you have a home bar or bar cart, a simple cutting board is a must. First, it'll always be available when you need it, and not occupied with what's happening for dinner. Second, cutting boards can pick up flavors, so one dedicated to cocktails and citrus will guarantee your drink doesn't taste like old garlic. And third, they provide a place to set down cold, wet shakers and mixing glasses, so you don't ruin your furniture. A small knife will ... uh, cut things in half. Preferably not fingers.

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To separate the citrus zest from the fruit, you have two options. A channel knife will create a long strip of zest, good for twists and horseneck garnishes and impressing your friends with your ability to cut a long spiral in a single motion. A Y-shaped vegetable peeler, non-serrated, works best to remove wide swaths of zest, great for pieces that are muddled or rubbed inside the glass. 

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created at: 10/26/2015

 Citrus comes in many sizes, from tiny kumquats to volleyball-sized pomelos. For cocktail purposes, you can divide them into small and large, and grab a tool for each category. You can find citrus presses in enamel colors for every type, but in reality, you just need two: a medium size for lemons and limes, and a larger one for oranges and grapefruits (which you'll need to quarter). 

 

created at: 10/26/2015 To measure ingredients, bartenders use a tool called a jigger. These are standardized measuring cups, and supermarket options often feature 1-oz (a "pony") and 1-and-1/2-oz (a "jigger") portions. Instead, we suggest a different route: a 1 and 2 oz, and 3/4 and 1/2 oz. This way, you can just look at them and remember the bigger one has whole measurements, and the smaller has the fractions. If you need a quarter ounce, you can eyeball it by filling the 1/2 oz one halfway, or busting out your barspoon and filling it twice. (One teaspoon = .16 oz) 

created at: 10/26/2015

Our favorite jigger from the Cocktail Kingdom features gradations inside, so you can get away with just one tool for all your measurements. We also regularly use the Oxo Mini Angled Measuring Cup, which would be perfect if it only had a 3/4 oz. gradation (it's particularly good at catching the juice coming from a press). 

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created at: 10/26/2015

Lastly, some drinks call for cracked ice. You can use your blender or special machines for this, but that's overkill for a single cocktail or two. For small batches, we love the excellently old school method of bashing the ice with a woodworker's mallet inside a canvas envelope known as a Lewis bag. No other methods need apply. 

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created at: 10/28/2015 Okay. Time to put it all together into a cocktail. Since it's fall, we designed one that highlights the warm, spicy flavors of The Famous Grouse whisky, the smokey tones of Earl Grey tea, and bold, fresh orange. It's made with a lapsang tea syrup by The Owl's Brew that's custom formulated to go with The Famous Grouse, which you can find here. The drink is called the Field Jacket, cause that's exactly what you need this time of year. So, go check out the full recipe at The Famous Grouse's Facebook page.

Click Here for The Field Jacket cocktail recipe on Facebook

 

 

 

created at: 10/26/2015

This blog post was sponsored by The Famous Grouse. Thanks for supporting the brands that allow us to continue to give away original content for free.

 

 

 

 

 


Want to Learn How to Make this Holiday Wreath Trio? Join Us for a Free Workshop!

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It's not quite time to start ManMade posts with " 'Tis the season to make stuff" but it'll be here plenty soon. Two weeks sounds about right.

created at: 11/02/2015

Which is perfect, because exactly in two weeks, we're teaming up with The Home Depot for an in-store DIY Workshop to help you (and your home) get seasonal.

If you want to learn how to make your own trio of wreathes, you can sign for this free DIY Workshop at your local Home Depot on Saturday, November 21, just in time for the holiday season. It's available at Home Depot locations all across the U.S., and it doesn't cost a cent to learn.

The DIY Workshop will cover the basics of building this easy project, using only materials found in the store. We'll build one from scratch, and discuss the simple construction techniques, material selections, and ways to customize it to fit your personal taste and space. 

The DIY Wreath Trio Workshop takes place on Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 10:00 - 11:30AM. You can find more details and register at the Home Depot Workshops page. Next week, I'll be building a customized version on this project for my own home, and sharing the process with you. Stay tuned.

h, and get this: If you live near Portland, Oregon, I, Chris Gardner from ManMade, will be teaching the workshop at the Beaverton Home Depot (Store #4018 4401 SW 110th Ave). If you're in the area, this is an awesome opportunity for me to meet  and collaborate with ManMade readers, and I've love to hang out with you and make some stuff for a day. 

So, head to the Home Depot DIY Workshops page to sign up, and we'll see you next Saturday. 

SIGN UP HERE!

 

created at: 03/31/2015
Thanks to Home Depot for sponsoring this post and making ManMade a partner for the 2015 DIY Workshop series. Thank you for supporting the brands that make ManMade possible.

 

Style Tips to Steal From Wes Anderson and His Movies

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You can’t talk about Wes Anderson movies without talking about style. His movies drip with it, from the limited color palettes of the mise-en-scene to Anderson’s uniquely boxed sets and cinematography to his subtly grounded yet utterly original costume choices that seem to exist just a slight world away in the pantheon of Anderson cinema.   

The endless amount of research Anderson and his team put into their world-building is a true mind-cuss, but a lot of his signature costume decisions can easily be recreated or swiped and incorporated into a whole new look.

Cool Material recently put together this guide of Wes Anderson Style Tips, cataloging his notorious love for corduroy, his hip Clark Wallabees or the duck boots from Moonrise Kingdom, not to mention the instantly recognizable Team Zissou hat. Check out the link above and let us know if you have any other Anderson-inspired pieces you’ve worked into your wardrobe.

Wool and the Art of Sweater Maintenance: 5 Tips to Care for and Make Your Sweaters Last

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created at: 12/14/2012The cooler months bring boots, jackets, and best of all: sweaters. Worn well, they echo the classic men of yesterday. Investing in one or two quality pieces made from 100% wool is preferable than several from acrylics or blended fabric, as they'll stick around for many falls and winters to come, and look better in the process. (Not to mention keep you warmer.) If you take care of them well, they'll last until your beard goes gray, and you can pull off the weathered fisherman with a warm heart look of Mr. Hemingway here.

1. Don't dryclean or machine wash.  Not only does hand washing keep your wool clean, it'll actually make your sweater softer over time. Wash in cold water, inside out if possible. That way, you'll be able to target the dirtiest spots - those next to your body. 

2. Fold sweaters, never hang. Gravity, in this case, is not your friend. It pulls on the sweater, distorting its shape. Plus, hangers can often create dimples at the shoulder and stretch the neckline. If you don't trust your ability to fold one without creases, snag a folding board from the home store ($5-10). They work wonders.

3. De-pill, de-pill, de-pill. While lower-quality sweaters will pill faster, eventually, you'll end up with those little balls...which my brother-in-law calls gniffs (hard g pronounced.) Weird. You want to remove these as soon as they show. Some say you can shave them off with a face razor, but I recommend investing in a sweater stone. It'll last forever, and you can control the amount of force, unlike the battery powered machines. Or, cut them off individually with a pair of small scissors.

 

created at: 11/02/2015

4. Dry flat and reshape. The "never hang" rule applies to just-washed sweaters even more than dry. Wet wool can take days to dry fully, and the water adds extra weight, stretching and distorting the shape even more. When you're done washing, don't wring the sweater out, just shake it until you can remove as much water as you can. Then, lay it out on a towel, and reshape it as it dries. 

5. Sink the snags. If your sweater snags on the outside, use a needle or pin to push the yarn back into the weave, or at least to the inside of the sweater. Bury the loose thread as best you can, tying it if possible.

 

Overall, if you can handle the folding and flat storage part but would rather not wash them at home, just take them to the dry cleaners every season or two to get them back in shape.  More costly, but effective. 

Do you have any favorite sweater maintenance tips? Please share them in the comments below.

 

This ManMade post was originally published in December 2012. We're resharing now cause it's officially sweater season. 

Style How-to: DIY Elbow Patches to Class Up Any Jacket (or Sweater)

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If you’re opting for a tweed or corduroy suit jacket, you don’t necessarily need to shell out the big bucks since you're going for the more worn-in, collegiate appearance. A thrift store jacket in your correct size can be tailored and DIY-ed into a nice alternate statement.

 And thanks to DelightfullyKristi at Instructables.com, there’s an easy way to class up your jacket with some easy DIY Elbow Patches.  

 I think they look just fine the way Krisi presents them in her tutorial, although I think it would be a nice touch to add some simple hand-stitching around the edges to give your elbow patches a higher quality look.

Click here for the full tutorial.

Sand Casting on The Beach: Artist Makes Furniture from Molten Metal and Sand

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Pewter DeskSometimes we just love to see a craftsman have some fun with a design. Most of the time all we see people make on the beach is a sagging sand castle. A designer decided to take some time to craft a pewter desk using sand on the beach as the mold and it turned out amazing.   Metal casting is a simple concept, make a void and fill it with molten metal, then wait for it to cool. The real skill comes with building a form that accurately molds the metal into something amazing, and that is where designer Max Lamb excelled using simple beach sand and plenty of patience. Carving the Form

Max compressed the sand and carved out the table design with just a kitchen knife, racing against the tide and Sunset to get it formed and poured. After the pewter cooled, the unearthing was like digging up a buried artifact from another world. Digging it up

While beach sand isn't fine enough to really show detail, this rough design turned out well and polished up well.

Finished Table

This got shared a few years ago, so check it out if you haven't seen it or its definitely worth a revisit on Gessato: PEWTER CAST DESK BY MAX LAMB

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