Looking for non stinky screwdrivers

[Kozik]

recently we cracked open the old toolbox and the craftsman's smelled like puke.
Looking to replace those with a decent brand that DOESNT have this problem.

any reccomendations as to brands that dont have the stinky plastic?

Thanks

 

[archirelic]

There's a bazillion threads on screwdrivers that deal with smell, ergonomics, price, etc. etc. Take a little time & read through them, you'll find some good stuff.

 

[CWP1616L]

The best smelling screwdrivers in the world are MAC comfort grip hard handles. They have a sugary sweet smell that is pure heaven.

 

[JASTECH]

Yep, try Search engine. Welcome to GJ!

 

[Gone]

Some brands:
Snap-on: new instinct expensive, older hard handles highly regarded and available used
Mac: mentioned above
Williams: black hard handles nearly identical to snap-on hard handles and reasonable price, blue and gray handles are imported
Pratt-reed: relabeled as a menards house brand, search will reveal more info

The following are European
Wera: I have and like chiseldrivers, nice balance and weight makes them feel like a tool. Kraftform plus are lighter duty feeling, nice drivers for electrical type work
Wiha: many like these search
Felo: many like these search
PB Swiss: more expensive and many like these also

Chads toolbox has a 40% off sale on Wera. I ordered from them and had a good experience this summer. One if the items I recieved was incorrect. A pair of knipex pliers with a wire stripping notch was sent, I ordered a pair without the notch. Same model number except one was followed by a "-2" or something similar. They correct the issue promptly. 3 days at their expense. Ymmv.

I'm sure other forum can add greatly to my list.

Edit: just read the email from Chad's. Apparently it's 40% off retail. So their normal prices.

 

[Holt]

Budget?

 

[goodspeed]

Mine smell like sweat, grease, smoke (from welding, not cigarettes), and rubbing alcohol, no matter how many times I clean 'em, so I'd be more worried about ergonomics/function.

 

[Kozik]

I have my own tools, these are a set for the wife's 'incidental' toolbox...she went to use them the smell made her ill...did do the search, lot of stories about stank....but few solutions. Thanks for the above info.

 

[short stack]

break tip off and return.


new ones dont smell at all.


ss

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Adding to the list:

Proto
Blackhawk
SK
Husky Pro
Stanley 100's
Greenlee

 

[Redex]

I have my own tools, these are a set for the wife's 'incidental' toolbox...she went to use them the smell made her ill...did do the search, lot of stories about stank....but few solutions. Thanks for the above info.

There are no solutions. The smell is the plastic breaking down.

 

[redwrench60]

Seems like all Craftsman screwdrivers end up smelling like an outhouse on a shrimp boat. They will also contaminate innocent screwdrivers in the same drawer no matter the brand.

 

[3xpendable]

I have never heard or smelt this before. Ima keep an eye (I mean nose) on my craftsman drivers

(X)

 

[Redex]

I have never heard or smelt this before. Ima keep an eye (I mean nose) on my craftsman drivers

(X)

You'll know it when you smell it, it is an overpowering vomit smell. It's not just Craftsman either, I have some smelly Xcelites that I need to replace.

 

[KinzeMech]

Is this some kind of joke?

I don't make a habit of huffing screwdrivers, but if I did, mine would smell like one or more of the following list:
PB Blaster
Engine Oil
Hydraulic Oil
Gear Oil
Grease
Parts washer fluid
Brake cleaner
Ear wax
Toe Jam
Donut Glaze

 

[TireTracks]

You'll know it when you smell it, it is an overpowering vomit smell. It's not just Craftsman either, I have some smelly Xcelites that I need to replace.

My grandpa has Craftsman/Xcelites from the 60's that don't stink.
My dad's craftsmans Dateing from the 80's don't stink.
My 3 year old craftsmans don't stink..
Weird.

 

[redwrench60]

My grandpa has Craftsman/Xcelites from the 60's that don't stink.
My dad's craftsmans Dateing from the 80's don't stink.
My 3 year old craftsmans don't stink..
Weird.

Go buy a lotto ticket quick!

 

[TireTracks]

Go buy a lotto ticket quick!

I have....

Every number was 1 number too small.....

 

[shoturtle]

The older see through plastic screwdrivers had this issue, not just craftsman ones. The newer plastic ones are allot better with their chemical make up to not stink like puke.

 

[Redex]

Is this some kind of joke?

I don't make a habit of huffing screwdrivers, but if I did, mine would smell like one or more of the following list:
PB Blaster
Engine Oil
Hydraulic Oil
Gear Oil
Grease
Parts washer fluid
Brake cleaner
Ear wax
Toe Jam
Donut Glaze

And these types of hilarious "why u dun smell your tools fer?" posts show up in every stinky screwdriver thread.

If your screwdriver's plastic starts to break down you will smell it, regardless of whatever else may be on it. It is an unmistakable and powerful vomit smell. The effect gets much worse if you leave them in drawer or box for a while. You'll be able to smell them from across a shop/garage/room.

There's no "tool sniffing" involved.

 

[mercman86]

I noticed that only the 20+year old hardly ever used craftsman screwdrivers are the ones that have that smell. Since I worked in a professional repair shop for over 10 years mine also smell like PB Blaster
Engine Oil
Hydraulic Oil
Gear Oil
Grease
Parts washer fluid
Brake cleaner

Start usein them, they'll smell great after that!

 

[Greatwhitewing]

A little off topic
When I did manual mechanical drafting for a living our plastic templates would often smell like vomit...They would often be stored in nice tight fitting plastic cases/pouches that allowed the "reek" to accumulate...

I used ask non drafters to "smell this" and LOL

 

[heavydutyOEX]

I've got a drawer full of old style snap on screwdrivers and about 2/3rds are what I call "sweating". They seep and ooz something. They don't smell like puke but they have a pungent chemical odor. I don't even like handling them for fear of what the ooz is.

 

[tkonetzke]

I guess I dont have any screwdrivers that are old enough, because I too thought this was a joke. I say put on some gloves, load up those stinky crafsman screwdrivers and head down to sears. At the very least it you may see some funny faces. Or you might get rid of the harbor freight smell that now lingers in sears tool department.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

That's what that smell is...screwdrivers. I never knew it was a thing. Learn something new every day. I'm currently keeping my eyes peeled for a new set. This thread helps.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Is this a serious thread? Really?

 

[burnin53]

I always thought c-man screw drivers smelled like candy.
Haven't bought any in 20 years or so,though.
Don't really need any tools that smell like puke.

 

[redwrench60]

It's worse on the ones that stay couped up in a tractor tool box or seldom used drawer. I had a some Craftsman screwdrivers I kept in a .50 cal ammo can in my truck box that smelled like some road ***** dragged em' across her doodlebug. They stank up the whole box. I finally got rid of them.

 

[slob]

Cellulose acetate butyrate strikes again.

 

[Sureshot]

I've got a drawer full of old style snap on screwdrivers and about 2/3rds are what I call "sweating". They seep and ooz something. They don't smell like puke but they have a pungent chemical odor. I don't even like handling them for fear of what the ooz is.

They were probably made in China and it is soya sauce.

 

[redwrench60]

I've got a drawer full of old style snap on screwdrivers and about 2/3rds are what I call "sweating". They seep and ooz something. They don't smell like puke but they have a pungent chemical odor. I don't even like handling them for fear of what the ooz is.

I have seen several people get those old style SO screwdrivers made up because of this problem of oozing and crumbling like a breadstick.

 

[Alan Douglas]

Cellulose acetate butyrate strikes again.

One of the decomposition products of CAB is butyric acid, which smells like vomit. It also accelerates the breakdown of the remaining plastic, so the worst thing you can do is seal them up.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

New fetish created.

Tool sniffing

 

[Super Sport]

Never heard of or smelled the smell, even with some older Cman screwdrivers around.

Personally, I would exchange them. You are not satisfied, so you have every right to exchange them under the warranty. If looking to buy replacements, I would go with the Cman Pros. They are high quality for a pretty affordable price.

 

[cgv69]

Never heard of or smelled the smell, even with some older Cman screwdrivers around.

I almost never smell my own farts but my wife and family assure me that they do indeed smell... strongly

Who knows why some smell it and others don't but its not unusual to find an odor that really bothers some people while others don't even notice it. Maybe it takes some special combo of oils or storage type or who knows what to produce it but I can confirm, this is a real thing.

I know exactly what the OP is talking about. Its some weird combination smell, kind of like if you mixed grease and puke together. I do find it displeasing but I've never gotten rid of or replaced a tool just because it smelled bad.

 

[dandan111]

I bought some herbrand made in Canada screw drivers,they smell like hell. I spayed wd40 and they still stink. I like my box and tools but when I open up that screw driver drawer it is a turn off.

 

[TwoInch]

can they be dipped in some sort of clear to lock it in? i have excelite, craftsman, crscent, etc... acetate drivers from im guessing the 1970s, all the way up to brand new, and not a single stinky crotch rot driver... but i have whiffed others stinkies, and wondered what the hell was up with that.

 

[RCStocker]

I have a nose that can tell when the pot is going to burn before it happens and I can be across the house.

Some tools smell.

You must have old tools form the 60's or 70's
You just broke the box open cracks me up.
If it was closed so long that it smelled you don't use your tools very often do you.
I would not worry about it if you are just now notice they smell. LOL
That is a hoot. My bet is that it will be a long time tell you use them again and why wory. Put them back in the box and wate 10 more years to use them. LOL

I personaly don't get my nose that close to the tools Sparay air fresh in the box or put some rose peddles in the box. Might as well put a ribbon and bow around the box while you are at it. Leav the box open, put the drivers out, play mumbly peg with them and keep your nose away.

Some post just crack me up. Sweet smells, puke smells. What smells is having to use them. LOL

 

[TwoInch]

what about a custom plasti-kote or whatever that liquid plastic is that people use for dipping plier handles and such.

 

[KinzeMech]

They don't make a "new tool smell" scented air freshener. I get around this by buying a new tool every now and again, throwing it in the box, and shaking it up a bit to distribute it's new tool smell onto the old tools.