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
- Best Wax to Speed-Drive Screws into Hard or Spliting Wood – Easy, Slick (4/14/2025)
This is useful when driving screws into hard or dense woods, or into material that is prone to splitting. The wax lubricates the screw threads into the wood. And using a Wax Ring can speedup work production.
The wax lubricates the screw threads, making it easier to drive the screw into the wood.
It reduces friction, making it easier to drive the screw in. It prevents the screw from splitting the wood.
It helps to prevent the screw from camming out. It increases the speed at which you can drive screws.
Less likely to cam out or strip the threads.
Too much wax can make the screw slippery and difficult to control.
Hard woods need wax to the entire length of the screw threads.
More New Articles
- Clear Slow Disposal Sink Drain with Non-Acid Pipe Cleaner (3/24/2025) - Opening a Garbage Disposal Slow Drain Pipe, with No Damage to Gasket Seal, by Using a Non-Acid Enzyme Cleaner. https://youtu.be/f7K36AY1Q-8 If your garbage disposal is draining slowly, the problem is likely a clog… ...read more
- Toto Toilet Flappers – Red or Blue – Replacement Repair Fix (3/3/2025) - Replacing the flapper on a TOTO toilet, regardless of the red or blue color, is easy. https://youtu.be/EkFT8M3zNvU Turn off the water supply: Locate the shut-off valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise… ...read more
- Solar Batteries – Electricity for Home and Business – Matt Estes of Oak Electric (2/11/2025) - Here is some general information about solar panels, batteries, installation and costs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BWma77N9tQ&feature=youtu.be Matt Estes, Oak Electric - solar.matt.estes@gmail.com - 248-508-0339. ...read more
- Cutting Steel with A Circular Saw & Angle Grinder to Build a Steel Deck (1/20/2025) - Cutting steel with a circular saw and angle grinder to building my steel deck was easy enough. I could have used: https://youtu.be/ZM2U5O57dxI 1. Angle grinder, or hand grinder, is a great metal cutting… ...read more
- Drill Out a Loose Spinning Pop Rivet Easy (12/30/2024) - A spinning pop rivet can be frustrating. https://youtu.be/Vd3YHc5Edsk 1. Drill – angle the drill bit against the side of the rivet head so friction doesn’t allow the rivet to spin. 2. Drill and… ...read more