Any tricks on keeping screwdrivers from stinking?

[66354dream]

You guys have any tricks on keeping your screwdriver drawer from smelling terrible? I just scrubbed and washed all my screwdrivers but I know the smell will return.

 

[nh_yota]

Buy screwdrivers that don't smell.

 

[TomB19]

Wash your hands after using the bathroom.

 

[66354dream]

Buy screwdrivers that don't smell.

Good advice, who makes them?

 

[VoodooCLD]

Are they the acetate ones? I have that problem with my craftsman ones.

 

[nh_yota]

Do your screwdrivers have clear handles? The smell is caused by the Cellulose Acetate Butyrate used for the handles.

 

[buba]

Are they plastic handles? Follow the link below for a trick...

http://dwarmstr.blogspot.com/2013/02/why-toolboxes-and-tool-handles-stink.html

 

[GDPossehl]

Never heard of a smelly screw driver.

 

[bonneyman]

If they are clear acetate handles, Ballistol and water neutralizes the acid residue that causes the deterioration and odor. Since I started using it on my VACO nutdrivers the odor has vanished.

http://www.ballistol.com/uses/

 

[PugetDude]

You guys have any tricks on keeping your screwdriver drawer from smelling terrible? I just scrubbed and washed all my screwdrivers but I know the smell will return.

Take them back to HF so they can live with the unwashed masses?

 

[lightning02]

I have never had one smell. I have brands from HF to snap-on. Not sure what people are doing with there tools to make them smell lol

 

[LXCam]

That's one punch of your man card buddy. My tools smell........gezzzz.

 

[torqueman2002]

Never heard of a smelly screw driver.

I've read about it on tool forums and thought, how bad can they smell?

Then I found/bought a set of these small nut drivers.

They have a smell of BO/puke/feet!

I'm going to clean/dry/seal with shellac.

Thanks!

 

[chris142]

Never heard of a smelly screw driver.

me either

 

[d.mcfarland]

Did they have a white reside on them as well? Serious question, not a joke.

 

[bigroomboy]

The ones with soft rubbery bits will also end up smelling. It just takes a while. The balistol sounds like it may work.

 

[Davefr]

wash the handle in ammonia

 

[Shiftless]

Do your screwdrivers have clear handles? The smell is caused by the Cellulose Acetate Butyrate used for the handles.

This is correct. If you ever need some industrial strength stink bomb ingredients go with butyric acid. Smells like nasty vomit. (retired Chemistry teacher here)

 

[redwrench60]

I had some old craftsman screwdrivers that smelled like puke so bad they stunk up the truck they were in. I finally threw them away and besides, I can bend a craftsman screwdriver picking my nose.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The white residue is supposedly the handle breaking down. The smell is released when this happens or is happening.

 

[Shiftless]

Do your screwdrivers have clear handles? The smell is caused by the Cellulose Acetate Butyrate used for the handles.

That kind of plastic is the culprit.
If you ever need to make an industrial strength stink bomb, get some butyric acid. Smells like vomit. (ex Chemistry teacher here)

Your suspicious handles look like this: Clear or translucent

 

[lightning02]

The only thing I own with clear handles and old are cm nutdrivers. There about 15 years old. No smell what so ever.

 

[77thor]

Where are you putting your screwdrivers??

 

[Warrenator]

Might try scrubbing them down with a baking soda paste. That will neutralize and take away the acid producing the smell.

I have some clear acetate chisels and screwdrivers, don't really smell but it is very dry here. You might benefit from one of those goldenrod dryers in the toolbox. (or a dehumidifier. )
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DBTCFGY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mrvm]

Who is sniffing screw drivers? I keep my tools clean so no smell in the box

 

[66354dream]

Yea I do have the clear Craftsman ones, I've never had a problem with them before but have heard about this issue. I guess I'll buy some shellac this week end and coat my Craftsman screw drivers.

 

[Steevo]

I don't know about you, but if the box stinks, I ain't putting my tool in it.

 

[Flat-rate]

I've turned in several snap on black handles. They were warrantied no problem.

Have several Craftsman and xcelite nut drivers, all stored in the same box and they don't stink.

 

[bczygan]

What are you guys smelling?

 

[Kensgarage]

I don't know about you, but if the box stinks, I ain't putting my tool in it.

Ancient Idahese proverb !

 

[BMack37]

Might try scrubbing them down with a baking soda paste. That will neutralize and take away the acid producing the smell.

I have some clear acetate chisels and screwdrivers, don't really smell but it is very dry here. You might benefit from one of those goldenrod dryers in the toolbox. (or a dehumidifier. )
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DBTCFGY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Baking soda paste is great for getting rid of just about any stink. Works well for watch bands, hockey equipment, misc gloves, etc..

 

[rednotch]

I have all my craftsman clear handle screw drivers in there own carry tool box for this reason, when they sat in one drawer of the tool box every time you opened it, it smelled like someone threw up in there. I washed them a few times but they still stink.

 

[404]

Apply before using screw driver.

http://odorscreenusa.com/

 

[MDK22]

Shellac will come off on your hands with use not to mention tinge with age. I would recommend a thin layer of epoxy. Though i just hit my stuff with brake cleaner when it gets like that but, I am not trying to preserve the look merely trying to clean the tool and still maintain its function. So it does take off lettering fade plastics etc. But, mine nor my dads nor my grandfathers smell that strong probably either due to use the various cleaners they encountered and the dry cool environments all our tools have been stored in.

 

[newspeed]

I keep a couple of desiccant packets in every drawer to keep moisture at bay and it keeps everything odorless.

 

[DenisG]

There's not much you can do, but you should keep the "smelly plastic" tools isolated away from things you don't want to corrode. (Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) gives off acidic fumes. Google "malignant plastics".

 

[Milton Shaw]

I have had some tools over the years that stink, but it was not something I noticed with my nose. I noticed them when the broke/slipped or rounded out the fastener. Some were supposed to be top quality but didn't operate like they were.

 

[ecally]

I've heard to soak them in vinegar overnight. Tried it and it worked. But eventually the smell came back.

 

[Kevin54]

I really don't think there is a true remedy for the screwdrivers that have the smell other than getting rid of them. Coating them with a clear or a shellac may work for a while, but if you use them on a regular basis and wipe them down, the clear or shellac will wear off and then the odor will return. I had some Xcelite's and I finally got rid of them as they stunk up the drawer so bad

 

[tomshep]

Did they have a white reside on them as well? Serious question, not a joke.

My old Cmans do. These are 20 year old tools.

Tom