Mark Wolfe

Georgia

Commerce Writer at Bob Vila

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Articles

Leatherman's Newest Release is a Must-Have Father's Day and Weekend Trips

3 days ago | bobvila.com | Mark Wolfe

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›Earlier this spring, Leatherman unveiled four new Cerakote finish options for its lauded Signal multi-tool: Tundrascape, Mesa Verde, Santa Fe, and Nocturnal. The new multitone colorways are a nice update just in time for the tenth anniversary of the tool’s debut. When I was offered the chance to try one, I didn’t hesitate to accept: I chose the Tundrascape finish.
You May Want to Take This Air Conditioner Camping---Really

1 week ago | bobvila.com | Mark Wolfe

EcoFlow, the brand best known for its Delta and River series of portable power stations, just released its third-generation battery-powered air conditioner, the EcoFlow Wave 3, and I got an opportunity to try it out. Think of this device more like a heat pump in that it includes both cooling and heating modes, along with a separate dehumidification mode. The brand claims it can lower the temperature by 15 degrees in 15 minutes in rooms up to 183 square feet.
I Found the Perfect Lawn Mower to Cut Classic, Golf-Course Stripes

1 month ago | bobvila.com | Mark Wolfe

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›Gas-powered reel mowers like those from Rolux are a splurge for lawn perfectionists and machine enthusiasts alike. As an old landscaper and tool reviews guy, I count myself in both groups. Rolux is a South African brand with nearly 70 years of history, but it only became available in the United States within the past couple of years. Are Rolux mowers any good?
I Never Knew I Needed This Simple Grill Accessory Until I Tried It

1 month ago | bobvila.com | Mark Wolfe

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›I got my Breeo X24 smokeless fire pit a few years ago, and I’ve been a huge supporter of the brand ever since. The top-notch quality alone would have made me a happy customer, but they keep me intrigued with cool product innovations, too, especially when it comes to live-fire cooking.
I'm a Master Gardener and These Pruning Tools Are the Best I've Used

1 month ago | bobvila.com | Mark Wolfe

Over the past few years, Woodland Tools Co. has quietly been building a reputation as one of the most reliable and affordable outdoor cutting tool brands. I recently tested two of its pruning saws, the Compact Duralight Folding Saw and the Super Duty 18-Inch D-Handle Saw, and I have to admit, I was impressed. The Duralight folding saw is one of the largest of its type, with plenty of grip space for two-handed work.
This Battery-Opereated Tool Makes Quick Work of Large Hedgerows and Shrubs

1 month ago | bobvila.com | Mark Wolfe

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More › Whether you need to tame a tangled hedge, groom a shaggy topiary, or shape up a few shrubs, cordless hedge trimmers can help. Battery power combines the clean, quiet trimming ability of an electric hedge trimmer with unlimited freedom of movement.
This Small But Mighty Power Station Packs Bigtime Power for Under $300

2 months ago | bobvila.com | Mark Wolfe

At first glance, the EcoFlow River 3 Plus looks like many other small power stations, but I’ve been using it for the past 4 months, and I have to admit that it is surprising and impressive: Small enough to slide under the seat of my truck, and weighing just 10.4 pounds, it seemed ideal for charging electronics on camping trips. I was surprised to find out it was also capable of running my coffee pot, microwave oven, or deep freezer at home.
Can the Porter-Cable Dovetail Jig Really Live Up to Its Hype?

2 months ago | bobvila.com | Mark Wolfe

One really good indicator of tool quality is the opinion of its users, which is why I decided to test the Porter-Cable Dovetail Jig. I have always toyed with building, but as my home ages, I’ve decided to get serious about woodworking in order to collect the tools and develop the skills to build new cabinets. One of my bigger concerns was constructing acceptable dovetail joints for the drawers. Well-made dovetails are strong and durable, but they’re complicated.
This Benchtop Jointer Is Better Than You Think

2 months ago | bobvila.com | Mark Wolfe

Flattening board faces and squaring their edges is a necessary process at the beginning of woodworking projects, but does everyone really need a jointer? Using a tool for this step corrects cupping and warping in the wood, making it easier to fit the workpieces together for gluing or fastening. For one-off projects, a combination of jointing plane, power planer, router, and/or table saw can do the job; After all, power jointers are big and expensive.
We Tested a $10,000 Riding Mower to See if It's Worth the Cost

Mar 5, 2025 | bobvila.com | Mark Wolfe

Home improvement and hardware stores sell inexpensive zero-turn mowers, but a cheap mower could be more costly in the long run. Fast mowing increases stress on a lightweight frame and stamped steel deck. Cheap mowers have an expected working life of fewer than 1,000 hours. All of that may be fine for an acre or two–1,000 hours might equal a decade of mowing–but if you mow more than 3 acres, or if you’re in the mowing business, you’ll want a stronger, faster mower, and a more comfortable ride.