What Happens in Vegas?

SPAX and The International Builders' Show (IBS 2016), that's what happens!

We're excited to once again be a part of the NAHB International Builders' Show during Design & Construction Week in Las Vegas from January 19-21. With 50,000 visitors from more than 100 different countries and 500,000 square feet of the latest, greatest and coolest products/services in the industry - needless to say we're stoked!

It's not too late...Christmas gifts, DIY style!

 By contributing partner and guest blogger, Sandra Powell - Sawdust Girl

This cute wood book holder is super easy to build and would be a great DIY gift that you can
build in an afternoon. It can be used to hold an iPad or a traditional book and finished any way
you can imagine. Use wood scraps from around the shop and this becomes the most
inexpensive project possible —free!

Pocket Protector

 

By contributing partner and guest blogger, Mark Clement - MyFixItUpLife

So I was gonna write something fairly expected about pocket holes…until I found out that pocket-hole joinery was used by the Egyptians!!!! The Pyramid Egyptians. And then I had to spend time freaking out a little. 

How the Egyptians did things, large and small, of such lasting ingenuity and beauty always stops me in my tracks…If I don’t send an email for a day or two the world forgets I’m here. They’ve got a 5000+ year history. 

But back to reality. I’m a huge pocket hole fan too. And while they’re typically the stuff of woodworking and sometimes trim work these days—along with various clamps and jigs and the resulting super-tight joints—I take a different approach and use them in rough carpentry all the time.

What’s in My Tool Box

By contributing partner and guest blogger, Isabelle LaRue

I love tools and have lots of them. I have so many, in fact, that I have a whole closet full of them in my apartment! So when I’m asked which ones are a must to have for a beginner DIY’er, it’s hard for me to pick favorites. But when I made a house call recently to help a friend who was moving into a new apartment, I realized that the tools I chose to bring with me are in fact my “go-to”, “must-have” basic tools and fasteners. So here’s a list of what I brought with me:  go-to

Multi-tool: This is by far my most used and cherished tool - There are many different kinds out there, but most of them will give you a few basic screwdrivers, pliers, a knife and other small useful tools.

Remodeling and Deck Expo, Chicago: SPAX Style

We packed our SPAX and our power tools and made our way to Chicago in early October for The Remodeling and Deck Expo at Navy Pier along with 4,407 other eager builders!

This mega event highlighted nearly 300 products and services for the residential builder as well as live installation clinics and product demos. We were pleased to meet so many old and new SPAX customers and enjoyed talking "fasteners" with the crowds.

SPAX's own Tim Andrews enlightening the crowd

Saving Time: Beast Mode Style

 By contributing partner and guest blogger, Mark Clement - MyFixItUpLife

 

One of the things I love about my job as co-host of MyFixitUpLife is that I get to try new things—tools, toilets, molding, screws—in my projects. And I get to run them through my all-pro, beast mode ringer.

While this post is mostly for those of us who make our living building things, there is some DIY wisdom to be gleaned from my mania for full-tilt-boogie speed.

In other words, on the job site I’m nuts about saving time, saving steps, going fast and doing top shelf work. Things that help me do that are things I fall in love with. 

And, something I found out quite by accident while using different SPAX screws in different projects, is that adopting what I'm calling a 'screw system' is a beast mode time-saver I wish I thought of years ago.

Why Build Shelves When You Can Build Floating Shelves!

We just got back (still catching our breath) from the Remodeling and Deck Expo...much more to come on that very soon! We saw so many cool new products and witnessed some great remodel and outdoor demos that we've got the bug to start "swinging the hammer" (or we should say the impact driver) all over the place ourselves.

When we think of remodel projects one of the first names that come to mind is our friend Sandra Powell aka Sawdust Girl. Not only does she do it right, she does it like an animal! She's been tackling some major projects in her house, primarily her awesome kitchen area and we love to follow her progress. Oh, and did we mention she uses SPAX for all her projects? (Cue the angel chorus)

Listen up: Why screws will make your DIY projects better

By contributing partner and guest blogger, Mark Clement - MyFixItUpLife

 

Save time, save money, and rock out on pro-work and DIY projects. Yes, you too can fall in love with a screw.

 

Spax Multi-Material screws are time savers and money makers for pro and DIY projects. One screw: Many, many uses.

Building Our Way Through Chicago!

SPAX® is pleased to announce that we will be participating at the Remodeling Show and Deck Expo on October 1st and 2nd in Chicago!

Sponsorship With a Cause

Recently, SPAX US had the distinct honor to be a sponsor at the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation's First Annual Golf Invitational at Liberty National Golf Club.

Photo credit: Bloomberg.com

This event was a tribute to the sacrifice of Stephen Siller, an off-duty New York firefighter who laid down his life for others on the fateful day of September 11, 2001, as well as to honor and support our military and first responders who continue to make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our country.

Build Some Summer Playtime Memories!

It's already August, but there's still some great summer playtime to be had that will bring smiles well into the fall. We love this quick and simple playset from MyFixItUpLife that will be a great addition to your backyard kid zone!

Follow their plans and tips to save time (and grief). Made with SPAX PowerLags you'll also have a sturdy, long-lasting toy that will get those couch-taters outside and having hours of fun!

Spax PowerLags hold on the climbing wall cleats. Serrated leading edges mean we don’t have to pre-drill; washer style heads mean the washers are built in.

MDF? OMG! Build Your Own Banquette Bench

MDF Bench

By contributing partner and guest blogger, Isabelle LaRue


Have you ever searched for a specific piece of furniture for a room in your home only to find that there isn’t anything ready-made that will work? This happened to me when I was looking for a banquette bench for my dining room. After looking in countless stores and online and not finding what I was looking for, I decided the best course of action was to design and build my own bench using 3/4” thick MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard).

This was my first build using MDF and it gave me the opportunity to try and fall in love with SPAX MDF/hardwood screws - they are amazing because you don’t have to drill pilot holes to prevent the wood from splitting and they countersink themselves so there’s no need to use a countersink drill bit.

Hanging Out This Summer

Who knew that there's actually a day just for America's favorite past time? We're not talking baseball here folks...OK, America's second favorite past time - summer naps in the hammock!

Happy National Hammock Day! In honor of this ingenious device that provides us hours of divine laziness we thought we'd share some great inspiration for summer relaxation.

SPAX and the Spartan

We frequently receive notes, comments, suggestions and good tidings in regards to our fastener products and it's a bit like Christmas morning for us when we do! With so many creative SPAX followers out there, the ideas for use are endless.

One of our favorite (and whacky-fun) partner teams are Mark and Theresa, otherwise known as MyFixitUpLife. This dynamic duo never ceases to amaze us with the ideas they conjure up on a daily basis as well as the energy they put into everything they do!

Photo credit: MyFixitUpLife

With a renewed national emphasis on fitness and good health, one of the popular competitive activities that has become a country-wide craze is the Spartan Race,
drawing 1 million people to compete annually in this (torturous) test of strength and endurance.

Hidden Tool Storage, In a Flash!

By contributing partner and guest blogger, Isabelle LaRue

I use many different materials in my DIY projects, sometimes combining wood and metal, so I need a versatile fastener that can work with both. This is why I love SPAX Multi-Material Construction Screws!

ONE AND DONE: 5 Reasons SPAX® Multi-Material Screws are a DIYer’s dream.

Whether you walk into your favorite hardware store with confidence or you feel as out of place as a bull in a China shop — chances are, SPAX Multi-Material screws are just what you need. And we’re here to tell you why.

No matter your level of expertise in the world of DIY, you’re probably going to need to buy fasteners at some point. And, for many, that’s where the frustration begins. The number of different fasteners can be overwhelming to even the most experienced DIYers. Many people just starting out don’t realize there are so many different size options and coatings, plus (gasp!) different screws depending on the material you’re using.

DIY Built-in Storage Bench and Cabinet

We were thrilled last year to be able to again work with one of our favorite DIY partners, Sandra - or otherwise known as Sawdust Girl!  Check out her amazing skills as she designs and builds a beautiful storage bench project using SPAX fasteners.