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
- Overheating Equipment – Extesion Cord – Power Fail and Cure (12/22/2025)
Trip Breaker if Too Small or Long Extension Cord – Loses Power. A too-small extension cord can trip a circuit breaker.
1. Too Much Current Draw Overloads Thin wires = high resistance will cause wires to heat up under large load due to the power washer drawing more current than the extension cord is rated for it.
2. Voltage Drops when using undersized extension cords, 16-gauge or 18-gauge, especially with longer extension cords.
3. Breaker Protection is working as the breaker is to protect the wall wiring, not the extension cord.
4 . Use a 12- or 14-gauge extension cord for high-draw appliances.
5. Keep the extension cord short and uncoiled since a coiled cord traps heat. Do not daisy-chain extension cords.
More New Articles
- Purple Martin House – Adjust height – Easy to Clean and Check Bird Health (12/1/2025) - Erect Adjustable Bird House for Purple Martins - Easy Clean & Check Bird Health. Bird House - Purple Martin - Health & Clean. https://youtu.be/C_z1vP-e_rs A purple martin birdhouse consists of multi-compartment houses placed… ...read more
- Door Sagging Fix – Heavy Doors Lean from Age – Quick Repair (11/10/2025) - Close the door to check the sag by looking for uneven gaps along the top and latch side. https://youtu.be/J9HGazC9c0w Often the top hinge side has loosened, or the weight of the door has… ...read more
- Vegetable Garden Bird Protector, Rabbits Too – $30 (10/20/2025) - Garden Hoop Tent Stops Birds, Animals to Protects Vegetables - $30 1″ flexible PVC sprinkler pipe, 10 ft lengths – 5 pcs ½″ rebar (2 ft) or wood stakes – 8 pcs Plastic… ...read more
- Front Door Security – Fast – Strong – Easy (9/29/2025) - Door Security - Longer Screws in Strike Plate into Stud - Latch Strong. Using 3–4 inch screws in the strike plate instead of short 3/4 inch ones greatly strengthens a door against kick-ins.… ...read more
- Boat Hoist Sway Dampener – Stop Fraying Cables (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