Man Made DIY

I mentioned last week that I'd traveled to my hometown for my grandmother's funeral, and to help begin the process of cleaning and organizing her home where she'd lived for the last fifty-two years. I found all sorts of interesting stuff (more to come soon), most of which was still as functional as when my grandparents bought it decades ago, with only a bit of dust or rust to show.

So, when I stumbled across this old booklet in a filing cabinet, I was particularly drawn to the quote on the back, which begins, "It's unwise to pay too much...but it it's worse to pay too… read more

Previously on ManMadeDIY.com: Chris wonders whether or not he should stop smooth skinning it for the winter and grow a manly beard. Reader response is decidely positive, with 82% of voters saying, "Go for it." (Grow for it?) Chris keeps on not shaving.

So, there's my face. Seven days of not shaving, and the half-beard I have to show for it. 

Thankfully - the worst is behind me: most of the itching has subsided. Well, some, at least. I've stopped touching my face and thinking there's a furry creature attacking my head. And most importantly, I'm passed that weird inbetween stubble stage where my beard looks like it belongs on an 80s movie villain and I should have a ponytail and wear a white blazer with the sleeves rolled up and a giant… read more

My favorite project to build with anyone--including my son--is the fast-catch boomerang. First off, boomerangs--in their flight pattern and behavior--are just really beautiful and exciting; even a toddler gets that.  But slightly older folks--from about elementary age on up to retirees--are just thrilled when they see you make a working boomerang out of a piece of scrounged poster board.  By the time you hit first grade you've probably already grown jaded about the boomerangs: You've gotten a cheap foam one as a party favor or a little present from an uncle, and it never worked, and you basically assumed that boomerangs were… read more

So, I just got back from a week of traveling and learning at the (excellent) Alt Summit, and with airports and hotel rooms and red-eye flights, and (let's be honest) general vacation-brain and laziness, I haven't shaved for a few days.

And...I'm thinking about keeping it, and growing a beard. So, I thought I'd see what you thought, and I hope you'll share your vote.… read more