Hi! I’m Blair Gilbert, a.k.a.
MR. HARDWARE
As a third-generation hardware store owner, licensed builder, and finish carpenter, my mission is to help you “do it right the first time!” On this site, I share expert home and yard DIY advice in over 250 articles and videos. Feel free to dive in!
Latest Articles
- Plexiglass Cut Cleanly – Use Draw Knife aka Hook Knife, Plexiglass Cutter, Draw Scribe (2/8/2021) by Blair Gilbert
Plexiglass is best cut with a draw knife, also called a hook or scribe knife, or plexiglass cutter. This hook knife will score the plexiglass, and remove a wide, shallow line after each draw pass so the plexiglass may be snapped off.
Using power saws to cut the Plexiglass usually melts the plastic because of heat generated by the moving blade. If the blade is too fine or the plexiglass is moving too slow, it could melt from the friction. Then the melting plastic sticks together behind the cut leaving a mess.
To cut a straight line, the hook knife is the best. This draw knife works best with a straight edge to guide the scribe knife to cut a grooved line so the plexiglass will break along a clean fracture.
To use the plexiglass cutter, the first pass should be shallow and easy. The following couple of passes should be deeper and straight, pushing harder with each pass.
Some people will use a utility knife. It is more difficult because it meanders on the plexiglass surface. It can work, but not as well as a hook knife.
As to power saws, a circular saw, saber saw, or table saw may melt the plastic.
If you must cut a curved line, a dremel grinder or oscillating tool may be an option. A jigsaw may work, but melting is still a problem.
More New Articles
- Change American Standard Flapper – Fix Running, Leaking Toilet (1/25/2021) - Mystery toilet filling sounds are fixed by changing the flapper to stop a running, leaking American Standard toilet. Korky makes a replacement for the American Standard Cadet flapper of 2 and 3 inches.… ...read more
- Battery Chargers – Recharge Slow at Low Amps, Fast at High Amps (1/11/2021) - Choose the battery charger that slowly recharges at low amps. But if the battery is dead, fast charge the battery with high amps to start the vehicle now. https://youtu.be/JKBPz1d37EU A 10 amp charger… ...read more
- Blow Out Water Pipes in Home, Sprinkler – Use Right Air Compressor For Winter (12/28/2020) - Water remaining in sprinkler and home pipes should have an air compressor to blow them out each winter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3xIryLAI5o&feature=youtu.be Pipes made of rigid PVC material require a force of pounds per square inch… ...read more
- Prevent Frozen Outside Faucet, Pipes, Spigot – Install Covers on Hose Bib, Bibb (12/14/2020) - To prevent frozen outside faucets, and protect pipes, install hose bib covers on the bibb spigots. Cold and wind cause freezing. The outdoor water faucets installed may freeze and burst the spigot pipes… ...read more
- Toilet Hard Flush Replace Worn Gasket On Mansfield Flush Valve (11/30/2020) - If the toilet becomes hard to flush at the handle, and has a sticking at the plunger bottom, it may mean the flush valve seal gasket needs to be replaced. https://youtu.be/QatTXnBzsik The rubber… ...read more