Scott Michael

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!

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!

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.

So I grew up around here, and my friend’s daycare could really use some new picnic benches and I’ve teamed up 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.

Day 3: DIY gift series. I’m building a side table using just a three 2x3s under $10 and some straightforward cuts. I cut four 20” legs, marked a 10° angle with a rafter square, and trimmed both ends in parallel so they splay out evenly. Then I assembled the frame with butt joints and glue, glued up seven 15¾” strips for the tabletop (I recommend bar clamps), and let everything dry overnight. I glued and screwed the legs in place on the frame, added lower stretchers for stability, trimmed and sanded the tabletop 80 + 120 grit, and secured it from underneath with angled screws. I used wood filler to seal the holes, followed by additional sanding. Remember to predrill.

What do you think, is this something you might try?

Cut List*:
13 ¾” x 2 long aprons
12” x 2 short aprons
13 ⅞” x 2 lower stretchers
20” x 4 legs cut 10 degrees each side, parallel
15 ¾” x 7 tabletop

Cut Optimizer:
opticutter.com/cut-list-optimizer

*Lumber can vary, and 2x3s sometimes twist as they dry, so you may need to make small adjustments. I always go through my boards and tune them up, sometimes that means trimming the edges with a circular saw, or using a jointer if I have access to one. One day I’ll put together a full video showing my entire process, but hopefully this gives you a good start and encourages you to experiment with woodworking.

I recently teamed up and borrowed the 2026 Z71 to deliver picnic benches to my friend’s daycare. Today, I’m putting the truck to work again - this time to build something fun.

I like to think outside of the box, and with the Colorado’s practical features like the StowFlex Tailgate and 120-volt bed-mounted power outlet, I can turn almost any spot into an unforgettable outdoor experience.

It gives me the freedom to teach others and fearlessly take on the next project.

Days 4-6: DIY gift series. This week I built a coffee table using seven 2x3 studs under $25. Let me show you how.

Use the cut list below to cut your materials. For the frame base, I cut four 45-degree corner brackets from scraps and trimmed the leg ends at a 10-degree angle so they flare slightly.

I glued and screwed the corner brackets to the long and short aprons, predrilling really helps here, even adding a couple of brad nails while you get things in order. Then I added glue to each leg, clamped everything in place, and secured each corner with a 1 3/4” screw. I added a stabilizer on each end to keep the table solid and wobble-free. I filled in those holes with a wood filler

For the top, I glued up seven boards overnight, then sanded with 80-grit, followed by 120, and trimmed the edges clean. To attach it, I used figure-8 fasteners, recessing them with a Forstner bit so they sit flush.

What do you think? This was a simple, fun build that works just as well indoors as it does outside.

Materials*:
2x3 studs (7 qty)
due to variation, you may need to plane these down as I have done previously

Cut List:
35” x 2 long aprons
20” x 2 short aprons
20” x 2 lower stretchers
16” x 4 legs cut 10 degrees each side, parallel
37” x 10 tabletop

Have you tried these 5 things to winterize your car, especially in the South?

1. Check your battery. Start it cold. Slow crank, struggling start, or flickering lights = time to act. Check the date, 4 to 5 years is end of life (some even 2 years). A small $40-$50 lithium jump starter (or maintainer) is worth having, and AutoZone will test it for free.

2. Top off engine coolant (antifreeze). Only open it when the engine is cool. Check your owner’s manual for the correct type, not all antifreeze is the same. Fill to the line to protect your engine from freezing and overheating.

3. Swap to winter washer fluid + test visibility. Use winter-rated fluid (0°F or below) so it doesn’t freeze (it also de-ices). While there, test your wipers and lights.

4. Check tire tread & pressure. Cold air drops PSI fast. Measure before driving and inflate to the number on the driver-side door sticker. A small inflator makes it easy.

5. Keep the tank above ¼ full. During cold snaps, this helps prevent condensation in the fuel system.

Simple steps my dad always did! I hope this helps you too. What things do you check for not mentioned here?

Days 7-10: Why do slippers always end up launched into the yard? Sure, wind. I tried to ignore it… but this problem lived rent-free in my head, so I built a fix.

This flip-top shoe bench started with two 2x3s and a stubborn idea, plus whatever I could scavenge from the scrap pile. Pocket holes, a few mistakes (okay, several), and a lot of “please be square” moments later, it somehow came together.

What was meant to be a one-day build quietly stretched into three, partly because life, partly because my mini-me had his own project to tackle. But in the end, the slippers are finally contained…and so is my brain.

I hope you found this helpful. Talk soon!

Materials:
2x3 studs (2 qty)
Scraps

Cut List:
23” x 2 rails
18” x 4 legs
11” x 4 stretchers
15 1/2” x 26” tabletop