Make This: Old License Plate, New Box

Vintage pieces are always fun to work with. Aside from looking great, they tell a story through dents, scratches, and a style that once was. Here's a quick tutorial on how to turn a vintage license plate into a great snack box for the mancave.  

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Getting Started: Everything You Need to Create Your Own High-Quality Pens and Writing Instruments

I got a lathe last year, and soon, the addiction hit hard. There's something incredible about the hands-on approach to shaping wood that makes you lose track of time fast. Like all skills, you need practice. But turning is immensely satisfying work; you can go from a straight block of wood to a finished project in just an hour or two. And crafting heirloom writing instruments is a great way to get started.    

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Instilling the Habit: How to Start Something Hard

The older we get, the harder it becomes to start new habits...and break old ones. We begin in earnest, but soon we fall back; the good seem to slip, and the bad seem to creep in. The best way to keep yourself accountable is to ask yourself this simple question (looking into a mirror is optional):

Am I doing what I want?     

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Essential Skills: How to Cook the Best Steak of Your Life

Here's the thing about beef: it's expensive. And it should be; it's a part of a huge, expensive-to-raise animal. So, when you've invested in a high-quality piece of meat, especially a nice thick one, you don't want to screw it up. This recipe is the only way I cook it, partially because it's so darned easy, but mostly because it's the best steak I've ever tasted. Here's how to do it. 

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A Pocketful of the Good Stuff: How to Choose the Perfect Hip Flask

A good flask isn't an essential piece of gear, but it's pretty close. I toss a flask in my pack to share around the campfire, or to toast the top of a mountain. Trim, compact, and classic, the hip flask is also a great way to bring a little of your own along to make sure those drinks are always on point.

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DIY Skills: How to Loosen a Stuck Bolt With A Blowtorch

We've all come across the stubborn bolt. You know the one. That bolt that needs come off, like, now, but for no visible reason, the nut won't turn. Turns out, there's a simple trick: add a bit heat and get it turning quick. Here's how I make it happen.

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Healthy Breakfast, Made Easy: 5 Flavorful, Fitness-Friendly Smoothie Recipes to Make in the Mornings

Starting off the morning with something fresh and healthy sets the tone for the entire day. I've been blending my breakfast for most of the past 6 months, and it's changed my day. It's fast, easy, and tastes great. Plus, you can make the mornings hum along faster by preparing the portions ahead of time. I use single-serve sandwich bags packed with the ingredients, store them in the freezer, then just add water and blend.

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5 Metalworking Youtube Channels Every DIYer Needs to Watch Right Now

There are some incredible and craftsmen out there willing to share their hard-won experience. Metalworking is a varied field, with everything from blacksmithing to more modern welding techniques. The maker in me really likes the idea of a forge and pounding metal into something amazing so these channels are intended to highlight some serious iron-working. So with that, here are five of the best metalworkers on YouTube you should be watching if you want to learn something new.   

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How to: Make Your Own Journals + Notebooks from Scrap Materials

Did you know you can make your own sketch and shop journals with just the materials you have on your shelf? Now you can scrap those yellow pads for something a lot more classy.   

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Step It Up: How to Actually Stay Committed to Your Fitness Goals

It's been a few months since you made your New Year's resolutions, and chances are you're starting to get tired of the fitness grind. It happens to all of us, so here are a few tips to push past the hump and stick with those fitness goals for the long term.  

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