Build to Made - DIY from a Dad

11/28/2025

I found a small leak under my sink and realized the old strainer had rusted through, so I grabbed a new one for under $20 at my home improvement store. I remember my dad replacing these. After laying down towels, I loosened the tailpiece coupling nut and used two channel-locks with a little WD-40 to break the locknut loose. Your locknut may be a different style, and you might be able to free it with a slotted screwdriver and hammer, or with a sink-strainer wrench.

Once the tailpiece came off, the old double-cup strainer slid right out. I cleaned the sink opening, added fresh plumber’s putty, pressed the new strainer in place, and reassembled everything with the washers, retainer, and mounting nuts. If that washer isn’t on tight, there will be a leak. I wiped the excess putty, did a quick leak test, and the whole repair took about 90 minutes, saving us a major headache for the holidays. Hope this helps someone out there! Talk soon.

11/24/2025

Day 2: DIY gift series. I’m going to show you how to build this kids picnic table with just four 1x4 furring strips and a 2x2 for about $15. Cut each board into two 35-inch tops and one 23-inch leg. Angle in parallel both ends of every leg at 30° for that classic flare (use a rafters square for this).

Cut your 2x2 into two 31-inch supports and two 14-inch pieces with slight angles, then assemble the legs with the 14-inch piece at the top and the 31-inch piece in the center. Lay the four 35-inch boards across the top with a 2-inch overhang, add the seats, and screw everything together.

Round the corners with a jigsaw, sand, stain (optional if outdoors), and you’ve got a simple DIY kids picnic table for the holidays!

11/21/2025

So I grew up around here, and my friend’s daycare could really use some new picnic benches and I've teamed up with to borrow the 2026 Z71 to make this happen. It’s rugged, approachable, versatile, and empowers me to lend a hand.

Things like the StowFlex Tailgate, the built in tie-downs, and the CornerStep help me focus on problem solving and what I do best.

For many of these kids including the teachers, being outside is a much needed break from the routine.

I’m so glad I was able to make this happen thanks to the convenience and capability of the Colorado. I think I’m just going to enjoy this sandwich in this beautiful weather.

11/15/2025

My mom wanted to feel a little safer at home, and also make sure our toddler didn’t bolt out the front door. It’s happened before. So I installed this door-reinforcement flip lock (link in bio). It’s way better than those old chain locks I grew up with, and it’s rated to withstand up to 800 pounds of force.

Installation was simple. I marked my screw locations, drilled them in, and had the lock mounted in under five minutes. But the door was brushing against it, so I scored the area on the door jamb and used a chisel to shave off just a hair. I made a few shallow, flat passes. Once it sat flush, it was a perfect fit and the door barely grazed it.

I also swapped the deadbolt strike plate for a stronger one with longer screws. It helps prevent a door from getting kicked in, though of course it won’t stop someone from breaking the glass, so a security system is always a smart idea.
But overall, this upgrade works great.

Hope this helps anyone out there. Thanks for watching and talk soon!

11/11/2025

I tested five smart locks for Black Friday and rated them on things that actually matter to me: Yale, Eufy, Kwikset, Ultraloq, and Schlage.

They all install about the same: deadbolt first, then the exterior and interior housing. Each took about 10 to 15 minutes, but most of that time was spent tucking the communication cable into tight housings.

Connectivity IS the reason to buy a smart lock, which is why I was surprised Ultraloq still needs an old-school plug-in bridge for Wi-Fi, while the others have it built in. No outlet, no remote control. It worked fine though, the real headache was Yale refusing to connect. And repeated firmware updates on Schlage drained the battery and caused door-jam errors.

All run on four AA batteries, and trust me - they ALL drain fast.

Only Yale plays nice with all ecosystems, including Apple Home. That’s rare, since Apple certification costs brands money. That’s why everyone’s moving toward “Matter,” a new standard that connects devices directly and saves battery, but if your setup already works, don’t chase it yet.

Bottom line: what REALLY matters is security. Ultraloq and Schlage are the only true Grade 1 locks, the highest rating for strength and tamper resistance. Halo’s close with a Grade AAA.

Between $100 and $200 you’ll get solid features; anything past $300 kills the deal for me.

Just make sure the lock fits your door - and the way you live - not the other way around. If that makes sense.

Hope you found this helpful.

Drop a line below on locks you love the best!

11/04/2025

So my mom asked me to build a privacy fence that moves - with a little hidden storage, of course

I mostly used furring strips and reclaimed lumber from one of my first builds (an old 1x2 pine bench finally got a second life). My material cost was low, but here’s how you can make your own.

I started by testing one panel - cut a bunch of sticks at 16½” and 13½” to make a square frame…except I miscalculated and got rectangles instead so, yeah, double-check your measurements!

I ended up going with a diagonal layout for the slats and built six total panels, each mounted to 6-ft 2x4 posts with braces about 33” apart.

For the storage bench, I used 4x4s for the feet, wrapped it with 1x3s, and added soft-close hinges and 2” wheels so it actually rolls.

All in, it took about (20) 1x3s, (18) 1x2s, and (3) 2x8s. Not bad for a moving fence with secret storage, right?

10/21/2025

10/15/2025

I ripped out those annoying shelves, BUT didn’t see that leak coming!

The laundry room is one of the easiest spots to DIY. You can add storage, learn new skills, and even handle surprise problems - without turning the rest of your home upside down. If she’s smiling, I’m surviving!

Follow for more DIY projects.

10/10/2025

I didn’t realize this small cap outside my house is actually tied to my washer drain (the clean out) - and it could help clear a serious clog. Here’s how it works.

Your washer empties into a pipe, which drops into a P-trap. That curve holds a little bit of water to block sewer gases, but it also collects lint, soap, and hair if your washers filter doesn’t already do it. Most modern high efficiency top loading washers don’t.

Usually, I can clear a clog here with a drill-powered drain snake. Wiggle it slowly until it frees up.

But what if the clog is deeper? The clean out gives plumbers straight access to the sewer line. Open it with a pipe wrench and feed in the auger. Once you’re done seal the threads with PVC tape and close it up.

Now what does this roof vent have to do with this cleanout down here? It’s tied to the same line to let air escape so drains don’t plug. Though rare you might have to call a pro if there’s debris stuck here.

It’s all fascinating or maybe I’m the only one. Hope you found this helpful and talk soon!

10/03/2025

Part 3: Laminate flooring install

If you missed parts 1 and 2, after a water mishap, I ripped out the carpet in my son’s closet and replaced it with laminate flooring.

In this part, I’m finishing it off with quarter round molding to cover the expansion gaps. I left the original trim in place for consistency with the rest of the house and to cut down on extra work.

A few tips:
1) Hardwoods like oak cost more, but they stain beautifully and last.

2) When measuring, add just a touch of extra length so the quarter rounds fit snug. You can bend them in place and secure with brad or pin nails for a cleaner look.

3) Use a miter box or saw for your cuts - simple 45° angles work best, but pay attention to direction depending on the corner.

4) Add a transition strip anywhere two flooring types meet-they come in plenty of shapes and sizes.

Stay tuned, I’ll show you how I organize my son’s clothes next!

11/04/2024

We turned a corner of our yard into a special place for Monarch butterflies! This project took a few months, and we started it to remember loved ones who have passed away.

At first, we didn’t know much about creating a butterfly sanctuary, but we decided to give it a try. We planted milkweed plants for the butterflies, and recently we got to see caterpillars change into butterflies!

We even built a small cage to protect them while their wings got strong enough to fly. By spring, we hope to add more plants that provide nectar, use safe practices, and avoid pesticides to make the area even better for them.

This has been a big learning experience, but the best part has been working with my son, unlocking core memories that we’ll always have. Now, he’s excited to plan other gardens too!

Thank you for following along - we’ll keep you updated!