Rehabbing Craftsman Screwdriver Handles

[lbperry]

I decided to use this weekend to cleanup and organize my garage/shop and tools (talk about a fools errand)
When I came to the drawer in the back in the dark where I threw all my Craftsman tools with mangy handles I had my crisis. A lot of work had flowed through those tools.
I got my first toolbox from my aunt when I was 6 and I just turned 80. Can't hardly stand to throw them out even though I've read all the threads on the bad handles.
There's gotta be something that the handles can be dipped in to remove the fuzz and then coat them with some clear or textured finish.
If anybody's got any solutions or ideas, I'd love to hear them,
Thanks,
Lawrence

 

[ecotec]

Once the butonic acid starts escaping from the butyl acetate handles, they are done for.

I get, kind of, where you are coming from… but, life is too short to work with tools that smell like vomit.

You can probably replace these screwdrivers for $.25-$1 each from a garage sale or estate sale.

 

[Ohio Andy]

He recommended ammonia for the mange I think

I bought some meguiars PlastX clear plastic cleaner and polish. Have not tried it yet. It was recommended to me.

I bought SEM 40903 1K HS clear gloss for the final cover. This is a high solids clear coat. Again this was recommended for this application

 

[Ohio Andy]

Once the butonic acid starts escaping from the butyl acetate handles, they are done for.

I get, kind of, where you are coming from… but, life is too short to work with tools that smell like vomit.

You can probably replace these screwdrivers for $.25-$1 each from a garage sale or estate sale.

I have never heard anyone say that they could get rid of the smell but the clear coat can help. Thankfully mine have not gone there. If I did rehab them it would be for sentimental reasons.

The video I linked in my last post the guy mentions that after a few years the stink and mange is coming back through.

Even with my emotional attachment (my first set, which is still very useable) I might still just pitch them.

 

[pfaustus]

I have a set of crowntop era craftsman nut drivers that stink. I cleaned them, and shellaced them a few years ago, but the stink came back. Anyone tried trading them in at Lowes?

 

[Ohio Andy]

I have a set of crowntop era craftsman nut drivers that stink. I cleaned them, and shellaced them a few years ago, but the stink came back. Anyone tried trading them in at Lowes?

If you do this, let us know how it turns out.

I would recommend you bring as many as you can so you can take a new set back.

I have not tried the new ones, but someone posted here that he liked them and the primary difference to him (handle wise) was the color was slightly different.

Will be curious how you think that they feel and the finish on the driver's.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I have a set of crowntop era craftsman nut drivers that stink. I cleaned them, and shellaced them a few years ago, but the stink came back. Anyone tried trading them in at Lowes?

And I wanted to add, I have a set of those for SAE. At the time. That's what I use most. I do not even own a set of metric, and I keep thinking I should buy one because I'm seeing metric more and more

 

[lund]

I have some old drivers with this issue. The stink can be surreal. I am not sure Craftsman screwdrivers are worth much effort to save though. The blades on those are not so hot to be worth a lot of effort. I also am not the type to pitch things and like to be able to say that was your grandfathers' to my kids etc. But that smell from decaying acetate handles is surreal BAD. I thought it was overstated till I was going through some inherited tools from my father that were stored in an enclosed tool box for a long time. Yikes yikes yikes. That is not something you want to work with to transfer on your hand!

 

[PowrKraftsman]

I have some old drivers with this issue. The stink can be surreal. I am not sure Craftsman screwdrivers are worth much effort to save though. The blades on those are not so hot to be worth a lot of effort. I also am not the type to pitch things and like to be able to say that was your grandfathers' to my kids etc. But that smell from decaying acetate handles is surreal BAD. I thought it was overstated till I was going through some inherited tools from my father that were long stored in a tool box for a long time. Yikes yikes yikes. Not something you want to work with!

I think it just gets worse if they are stored in a closed container for a long time. The first time opening after they’ve been sitting undisturbed for a while can be pretty unpleasant.

 

[lund]

I think it just gets worse if they are stored in a closed container for a long time. The first time opening after they’ve been sitting undisturbed for a while can be pretty unpleasant.

Agree. Before I realized the source, I was poking through a tool box thinking there must be a dead rat in a state of festering decay. It is enough to make you gag and/or lose your lunch! It cannot be good for you to breath in fumes like that from decaying materials either.

 

[dnschmidt]

These screwdrivers sucked when new. More Honda motorcycle carbs have been destroyed by Craftsman Phillips screwdrivers than from any other source. BUY VESSEL. They are not expensive and they work.

 

[lbperry]

OK, guys. I've finally seen the light ... Chunk 'em!
I appreciate all the replies and comments. I finally realize that life's too short to spend any amount of it on anything where the result is useless.
Thanks for helping me come to the right conclusion. Sometimes it takes me a while; and some help.
Lawrence

 

[paulsomlo]

Dip 'em in acetone, that'll remove the fuzz. Leave 'em in a bit longer and you'll never have to worry about those handles again.

 

[ohhimark]

I cleaned mine with lemon oil, then sprayed the handles with clear lacquer. They didn't smell before that, and they don't smell a year later. The older ones seemed to be made from better material, some of the later ones were softer. Xcelite/Crescent handles smell much worse to me, so I keep them on a rack, in a tool belt, etc, and the smell stays away.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Dip 'em in acetone, that'll remove the fuzz. Leave 'em in a bit longer and you'll never have to worry about those handles again.

Hi Martin did a better job of removing the mange. I mean acetone did remove the mange but it took some work and damaged the handles.

 

[alinc100]

I used Ballistol, which I believe someone recommended here on GJ. Hadn't used it before ,here are the results:

 

[toolmutt]

I got rid of all mine. Not worth the effort.

 

[Steel_Rain]

These screwdrivers sucked when new. More Honda motorcycle carbs have been destroyed by Craftsman Phillips screwdrivers than from any other source. BUY VESSEL. They are not expensive and they work.

I was one such fool back in the day. I always wondered what the little dot on the screw head meant…

Now, I have many sets of Vessel and Sunflag drivers so I don’t make that mistake again.

 

[joel63]

I got rid of all mine. Not worth the effort.

I did the same. Didn't think twice.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

I had been searching for some Torx drivers and came across a set of old craftsman drivers in a pawn shop. Didn’t realize until I got home and opened the bag that they had that usual craftsman smell to them. They’re in great shape so I’ll throw them in the shop box and maybe get some use out of them until I come across a cheap set of better drivers that doesn’t stink.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I had been searching for some Torx drivers and came across a set of old craftsman drivers in a pawn shop. Didn’t realize until I got home and opened the bag that they had that usual craftsman smell to them. They’re in great shape so I’ll throw them in the shop box and maybe get some use out of them until I come across a cheap set of better drivers that doesn’t stink.

If I did not know, I would not even give it a second thought.... Until I smelled them. If you intend to use them for a bit, perhaps spray the handles with a clear coat to hide the odor for a bit.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

If I did not know, I would not even give it a second thought.... Until I smelled them. If you intend to use them for a bit, perhaps spray the handles with a clear coat to hide the odor for a bit.

I knew they did that over time, but just didn’t think about it until I smelled it. My hands are usually covered in worse smelling stuff when I’m out there though.

 

[Grokew]

Please ignore this post, as the same video was already suggested by @Ohio Andy .

 

[Ohio Andy]

Please ignore this post, as the same video was already suggested by @Ohio Andy .

Sometimes a reminder is nice

 

[BurtEggley]

someone discovered that a soak in ammonia will do a pretty good job. Just pour a 99 cent bottle of ammonia in a bucket, toss them in overnight, rinse and dry. I did mine and it turned out pretty well. Acetone is too aggressive. Ammonia also neutralizes acids so there is some residual effect to keep it from coming back immediately. I'd wipe down the tool chest drawer too while they are all out.

 

[kfainf]

I read somewhere (probably here on Garage Journal) about wiping them down with mineral oil. I tried it and it worked very well. I guess time will tell, how long it lasts.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I read somewhere (probably here on Garage Journal) about wiping them down with mineral oil. I tried it and it worked very well. I guess time will tell, how long it lasts.

Report back when / if you know more.