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Build a DIY Giant 4-In-A-Row This Weekend

by Exmark

4-in-a-row is a timeless game that’s been enjoyed by millions for decades. It’s a great way for friends and families to connect, have some friendly competition, and make core memories. So, how could you possibly make it even better? Playing it in your favorite room of your house—the backyard! (Oh, and making it giant, of course.) So, follow along in this episode of Done-In-A-Weekend projects as you add another dimension of fun to your backyard gatherings with your own DIY giant 4-in-a-row.

Click here to download the build plans:

DIY Giant 4-In-A-Row Build PlansDownload

Tools

  • Drill/driver
  • Tape measure
  • Miter saw
  • Pneumatic nail gun
  • Jigsaw
  • Brad point drill bit
  • Framing square
  • Paint brush
  • Pencil
  • Eye and ear protection
  • Dust mask
  • Sandpaper
  • Drafting compass
  • 4-in. hole saw drill bit

DIY Giant 4-In-A-Row Materials

  • (2) ¼ in. x 2 ft. x 4 ft. plywood project panels
  • (1) ½ in. x 2 ft. x 4 ft. plywood project panel
  • OR (35) ½ in.-thick, 5 in.-diameter wood or plastic discs
  • (3) 1 in. x 3 in. x 6 ft. boards
  • (1) 1 in. x 3 in. x 4 ft. board
  • (6) ½ in. x ½ in. x 3 ft. square dowels
  • (2) ½ in. x 2 in. x 3 ft. project boards
  • 1 ¼ in. pocket hole screws
  • 5/8 in. finish nails
  • 1 ¼ in. finish nails
  • (4) heavy-duty magnetic catches with counter plates
  • Wood glue
  • Paint or pre-conditioner and stain
  • Wood sealer
  • (2) hinges

DIY Giant 4-In-A-Row Build Steps

For the full cut list and build steps, open and download the PDF to get started.

Download the instructions here:

DIY Giant 4-In-A-Row Build PlansDownload

That’s it! Now all there’s left to do is invite some friends and family over, get the backyard party started, and pretend to let your kids win a few games here and there.

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Build a DIY Living Fence This Weekend

by Exmark

A well-placed, well-built fence is the cornerstone of any great backyard. It provides privacy, hides unsightly features, keeps unwanted pests out, while keeping your own pets in, and even helps create outdoor rooms in your yard. This build takes fencing to the next level by giving your fruit trees a place to (securely) grow—and providing an opportunity for you to try your hand at espalier. Follow along in this episode of Done-In-A-Weekend Projects and discover how to build your very own living fence.

Download the build PDF here:

DIY Living Fence Build PlansDownload

Tools

  • Drill
  • Screwdriver
  • Level
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Eye and ear protection
  • Posthole digger
  • Tamper (or spare 2 in. x 4 in. board)
  • Shovel

DIY Living Fence Materials

  • (2) 4 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. treated wood posts
  • (1) 2 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. treated wood board
  • (1) 50 ft. reel 14-gauge outdoor wire
  • (4) Turnbuckles
  • (8) Eyelets
  • (8) Wire Rope Clamps
  • 2 ½ in. wood deck screws
  • (2) 50-lb bags fast-setting concrete

Build Steps

For the full build steps, open and download the PDF to get started.

Download the build PDF here:

DIY Living Fence Build PlansDownload

That’s it! Now all there’s left to do is pick out the perfect area of your yard, set up your living fence, and get gardening.

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Build a DIY Butterfly House This Weekend

by Exmark

There’s nothing sweeter than the sight of a butterfly—they add instant color and entertainment wherever they go. But how do you go about attracting, and enjoying, even more of our vibrant friends? That’s where a DIY butterfly house comes in. This build provides a home for an important pollinator, while offering endless hours of backyard fun for children and adults alike. So, follow along in this episode of Done-In-A-Weekend Projects and discover how to build your very own DIY butterfly house.

Click here to download the build PDF:

DIY Butterfly House Build PlansDownload

Tools

  • Jigsaw
  • Drill
  • Table saw
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Eye and ear protection
  • Sandpaper
  • 7/8 in. spade bit
  • 3/8 in.-diameter drill bit
  • Pliers
  • Clamps

Materials

  • (1) 1 in. x 6 in. x 10 ft. cedar board
  • (25) 4d galvanized casing nails
  • (1) ¾ in.-diameter type L copper pipe
  • (1) ¾ in. copper pipe strap
  • (2) No. 8, ½ in. pan head screws
  • Moisture-proof wood glue

DIY Butterfly House Cut List

Take the 1 in. x 6 in. x 10 ft. board and make the following cuts:

  • A. (2) ¾ in. x 5 in. x 2 ft. front and back boards
  • B. (2) ¾ in. x 5 in. x 6 ¼ in. roof boards
  • C. (2) ¾ in. x 3 ¾ in. x 22 ¼ in. side and door boards
  • D. (1) ¾ in. x 3 ¾ in. x 3 ½ in. bottom board
  • E. (2) ¾ in. x 1 ¼ in. x 3 ½ in. support pipe stop

Then, make the following cuts:

  • Take the (2) ¾ in. x 5 in. x 2 ft. front and back boards and cut the top of each board to form a 90° peak.
  • Take the (2) ¾ in. x 5 in. x 6 ¼ in. roof boards and cut a 45° bevel off one side of each board.
  • Take the (2) ¾ in. x 3 ¾ in. x 22 ¼ in. side and door boards and cut a 45° bevel off one end of each board.

DIY Butterfly House Build Steps

For the full build steps, open and download the PDF to get started.

Download the instructions here:

DIY Butterfly House Build PlansDownload

That’s it! Now all there’s left to do is set up your new build in your pollinator garden and enjoy all the beautiful sights your new DIY butterfly house has to offer.

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Build a DIY Staircase Planter This Weekend

by Exmark

There are near-infinite ways to spruce up and get the most out of your deck. From a laptop tech desk, to space-saving container gardening, the list goes on. But what to do about those stairs? This build lets you bring a splash of color to an entirely new area of your house, while keeping your outdoor spaces easily accessible for those day-long backyard parties. So, follow along in this episode of Done-In-A-Weekend Projects and discover how to build your very own DIY staircase planter.

Download the instructions here:

DIY-Staircase-Planter-Build-PlansDownload

Tools

  • Circular saw
  • Carpenter’s square
  • Tape measure
  • Impact driver or drill with T25 bit
  • Pencil
  • Paint brush
  • 80-grit sandpaper

Materials

  • (1) 2 in. x 12 in. x 6 ft. pressure treated pine board
  • (2) Three-step pressure treated stair stringers
  • (1) 2 ½ in. red exterior self-starting star flat-head wood deck screws
  • Water sealer or stain

Staircase Planter Cut List

Take the 2 in. x 12 in. x 6 ft. board and make the following cuts:

  • 2 in. x 12 in. x 13 ¾ in. front board
  • 2 in. x 12 in. x 10 in. bottom boards
  • 2 in. x 12 in. x 10 ½ in. inside boards
  • 2 in. x 12 in. x 4 in. back board

Then, take the 2 in. x 12 in. x 13 ¾ in. front board and rip it down to 2 in. x 6 ¾ in. x 13 ¾ in.

DIY Staircase Planter Build Steps

For the full build steps, open and download the PDF to get started.

Download the instructions here:

DIY-Staircase-Planter-Build-PlansDownload

That’s it! Now all there’s left to do is find the perfect spot, get gardening, and take your stairs to new heights.

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Build a DIY Window Bird Feeder This Weekend

by Exmark

There are very few things more relaxing than the amazing sights—and sounds—birds have to offer. But how do you go about bringing some of this outdoor Zen into your kitchen or living room? The answer is simple: a DIY window bird feeder.

This easy build provides a fascinating view of our feathered friends going about their daily routines. Creating great educational opportunities, family bonding moments, and even a little fun for your indoor pets, too! So, bring the outdoors in with this episode of Done-In-A-Weekend Projects and discover how to build your own bird feeder.

Download the build plans here:

DIY Window Bird Feeder Build PlansDownload

Tools

  • Drill
  • Jigsaw
  • Miter saw
  • Speed square
  • Brad nailer
  • Sand paper
  • Tape measure
  • Wood glue
  • Pencil
  • Ear and eye protection
  • Dust mask

Materials

  • (1) 1 in. x 8 in. x 3 ft. pine board
  • (2) 1 in. x 4 in. x 3 ft. pine boards
  • (1) 1 in. x 2 in. x 3 ft. pine board
  • 1 – 1 ½ in. brad nails
  • (4) suction cups
  • Landscape fabric (optional)

Cut List

  • Take the 1 in. x 8 in. x 3 ft. pine board and make the following cuts:
    • A. (1) 1 in. x 8 in. x 14 in.
    • B. (1) 1 in. x 8 in. x 2 ½ in.
  • Take the 1 in. x 4 in. x 3 ft. pine boards and make the following cuts:
    • C. (2) 1 in. x 4 in. x 7 in.
  • Take the 1 in. x 2 in. x 3 ft. pine board and make the following cuts:
    • D. (2) 1 in. x 2 in. x 3 ¼ in.
    • E. (1) 1 in. x 2 in. x 8 ¾ in.

DIY Window Bird Feeder Build Steps

For the full build steps, open and download the build plans PDF to get started.

Download the instructions here:

DIY Window Bird Feeder Build PlansDownload

That’s it! Now all there’s left to do is pick out the perfect window, hang your new DIY window bird feeder, and enjoy all the sights and sounds our avian friends have to offer.

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David Bancroft’s Cast Iron Brisket Brunswick Stew and Cornbread Combo

by David Bancroft

The cast iron legend comes saddled with a whole bunch of “dos” and “don’ts” that can make cooking with it quite daunting. So, who better to give you the lowdown on all things cast iron than James Beard-nominated chef David Bancroft? Watch this episode of Prime Cuts: Cast Iron Edition as Bancroft and his friend John Cassimus show you how to create a mouthwatering brisket Brunswick stew and cornbread combo, using nothing but good, ol’ fashioned cast iron.

Brisket Brunswick Stew

When selecting your meat, David stresses that you don’t have to limit yourself to brisket. Brunswick stew is a campfire stew after all, meaning you can add any meat that suits your fancy. Possum, raccoon, squirrel—if you can smoke it, it’s perfect. However, for this recipe, he’s using fresh pit-smoked brisket from his restaurant Bow & Arrow, which he had going for about 18 hours, “low and slow,” in the pit.

David uses a splash of Worcestershire sauce to notch up the flavor on his stew, going against the rule of never using vinegar in cast iron, as it eats away at the hardened metal if left exposed to it for too long. Addressing this bit of cast iron lore, he says it’s a-okay to add vinegar as long as your kettle has been properly seasoned.

Once the stew is near complete, Bancroft and Cassimus add some seasoning to really make the flavors pop. David throws in his homemade barbeque sauce and John adds his rub—a concoction so secret that not even he remembers what he used to make it. But, they emphasize that you can use any rub or sauce you want to really make this recipe your own.

Follow Bancroft’s brisket Brunswick stew recipe and become a cast iron pro!

Cornbread

One of the benefits of baking with a cast iron skillet is that it every inch of it gets warm when placed over heat, providing an even temperature that results in an even cook. So, for this cook, Brian and John use a miniature cast iron skillet, the perfect size for making small servings of cornbread to pair with some delicious brisket Brunswick stew.

The trick to making cornbread on cast iron is to get the skillet as hot as possible, which creates a great, crispy sear for the crust. And, to take that crust to the next level, Bancroft likes to use his “secret ingredient”—melted salted butter.

Once the cornbread is cooked all the way through, Bancroft spoons on his signature honey butter hot sauce: a mix of salted butter, honey, and hot sauce. He says the magic of this glaze is that you can choose whatever hot sauce you want to achieve the taste and heat you desire.

To finish off the cook, he sprinkles on some benne seeds (a shorter, heirloom sesame seed) for some toasty and nutty flavor. However, if benne seeds are hard to come by, David says sesame seeds are a great substitute.

Follow Bancroft’s cornbread recipe to make a cast iron side your backyard guests will love.

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