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
- Protect your Vegetable Garden From Birds, Rabbits – Under $30 (10/20/2025)
Garden Hoop Tent Stops Protects Vegetables – $30
1″ flexible PVC sprinkler pipe, 10 ft lengths – 5 pcs ½″ rebar (2 ft) or wood stakes – 8 pcs Plastic chicken wire/netting, 25 ft × 4 ft – 2 rolls Zip ties/garden wire – 1 pack
Tools: hacksaw/PVC cutter, hammer, tape measure, utility knife/scissors
Build Steps: Mark corners of an 8×8 ft square. Drive rebar halfway into ground at each corner (about 12″ exposed).
Form hoops: slip PVC over rebar, bend into arches, 3–4 spaced evenly.
Add ridge pole: run PVC along top, tape or zip tie at each hoop. Attach netting: drape, overlap, and tape or zip tie to frame.
Make entry flap: leave one side loose at bottom for lift-up entry.
Anchor bottom: tie/staple to scrap wood or pin with staples. Tips Space hoops closer apart for strength.
Add diagonal bracing in windy areas.
Swap netting for clear plastic in winter to create a mini-greenhous
1″ flexible PVC sprinkler pipe,
10 ft lengths – 5 pcs ($10)
* ½″ rebar (2 ft) or wood stakes – 8 pcs ($6)
* Plastic chicken wire/netting, 25 ft × 4 ft – 2 rolls ($8)
* Zip ties/garden wire – 1 pack ($4)
More New Articles
- Front Door Security Screws – Inexpensive – Fast – Strong (9/29/2025) - Door Security - Longer Screws in Strike Plate into Stud - Latch Strong. https://youtu.be/0EeFfP97xMk Using 3–4 inch screws in the strike plate instead of short 3/4 inch ones greatly strengthens a door against… ...read more
- Boat Hoist Sway Dampener Control Swinging In Wind (9/8/2025) - Boat Hoist Sway Dampener Control Against Waves and Wake. It works like a counterweight system — the sway is resisted by the weight box through the pulleys. https://youtu.be/0yqSdMhlfuc Need: 2 pulleys, rope, box… ...read more
- Easy Fix to Repair a Sagging, Rubbing Door – Permanent, Quick (8/20/2025) - Sagging Door Shift: Door Bottom Drags and Rubs on Floor From Use Over Time. Rubbing at Corner at Top or Bottom Door Bottom Rubbing, Drags on the Floor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1oTxbac_-M If your door bottom… ...read more
- Stop Geese on Your Lawn – Deterrent Off Your Property For Good (7/28/2025) - Coyote Moving Decoy Scares Geese Off Lawn with Wind Direction Blockage. It works with movement. https://youtu.be/Pe04JkoaliI Coyotes or dog decoys look like geese predators — especially of goslings and eggs. Also geese are… ...read more
- Clogged Laundry Tub? Stop Blockage – Lint Trap Screen (7/7/2025) - Attach mesh lint trap screen to washing machine discharge hose to prevent clogs A washer discharge hose screen is a small, mesh filter. The screen attaches to the end of the washing machine's… ...read more