Any tricks on keeping screwdrivers from stinking?

[ecally]

Thanks to this thread I just got rid of my old C mans and have a 6 piece set of SO soft grip instinct on the way via the 'bay

 

[Bill Bowman]

I remember back in the middle 50's, my pop had a craftsman "reversible" screw driver (one side of the shank was flat tip, and the other phillips) that was his "go to" screw driver. Whatever the handle was made of,........was stinky,......big time.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

The old stinky CMan screwdrivers. I got a drawer out in garage box that I don't even open anymore lol. At work though I refused to risk it so I have a set of MAC and a newly acquired set of SO's that I got as a gift from my driver.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[johninct]

Old Snap-On's smell too and fall apart but it doesn't bother me so I don't warranty them.

 

[wagon]

buy some proto durateks. that'll fix it fast. plus the blades are far more durable than the Cman ones.

 

[ImportTuner]

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

Tom

Ditto on the Craftsman clear screwdrivers .. the the Xcelite yellow handle screwdrivers which were my favorite (fit was very comfortable) are the worst. I've tried vinegar and ammonia - didn't work on getting rid of the smell.

 

[Wanna Ride]

About 30 years ago, I acquired a nice little set of nut drivers that had several shanks and one interchangeable handle. Maybe I bought it at a flea-market or garage sale, but I know I didn't buy it new in a store. It was a good, quality US made set. I forget what brand... maybe Crescent, I think. It came in a hinged, clear plastic case.

Anyways... after a couple years, every time you opened this case, it stunk horribly like vomit. Never could figure out why, but I'd bring it in the house, and wash it all in the sink with hot water and dish soap. This would help for a while, but not using nut drivers regularly, the next time you'd use them, they'd stink just as bad again. I eventually sold them at a garage sale about ten years ago, and was glad to get anything for them. They were so bad, I was damn near ready to throw them away. These were the only ones I ever had, that had this problem... thankfully.

Edit: after re-reading this, I think mine were Xcelites too!

 

[Ratchet Guy]

Maybe you can plasti dip the handle with couple of layers

 

[wagon]

the old blue-handled channellock 6-in-1 screwdriver USA version smelled like hella toe cheese in the handle. gross

 

[Rkbuell]

Know what you mean, sold most CM screwdrivers and bought snack on because they don't smell. Also you really should not listen to your screwdriver in public, it just look bad.

 

[Canoe50]

I recently picked up a nice set of Craftsman wood chisels (Crowntop) with clear handles & hinged plastic case. (front clear, back solid blue) After taking them out one by one, I noticed the odor on each handle was nauseating, so I can relate to what others have said here. This is the only time I've run across this over the years.
I do notice when leaving them out of the plastic case the odor is reduced considerably.
So for now that's the way they'll stay. Otherwise, I'll probably just leave them in the garage or get rid of them.

 

[McPh3rson]

I used to sell Apple iBooks and I'd always hear about the 3g models smelling toxic. Figured most people were full of it! Then one day bought a couple on eBay and the guy mentioned it.. when I opened the box it sure was a problem. Ended up replacing keyboards cause the smell was so toxic.

Did some brake fluid + chlorine tricks this halloween. Left a half puck of chlorine in a pot inside my car. Bro goes to grab something and goes on and on about it, I tell him stop being a punk.. Open my car up and WHOAH.. sure would kill ya.

 

[rick carpenter]

Maybe you can plasti dip the handle with couple of layers

I've never had stinky tools. I was thinking the same thing though, but maybe a coupla coats of epoxy first?

 

[ScottsGT]

I've got some 10 yo Cman's that smell like ***, and a bunch of Xcelite at work the same. If this crew cannot figure out *********** the smell for good, I'm tossing them in the trash tomorrow! I about blow chunks everytime I open the screwdriver drawer.

 

[Coach James]

Try this:

 

[stevep500]

I wondered what caused my screwdriver drawer to smell so incredibly bad. Now I know. Because of this thread, I rounded up about 20 Craftsman screwdrivers from the 1960s and 1970s and took them to Sears. Sears replaced all of them with no hassle.

I removed a few other screwdrivers that had clear handles from the drawer and left it open for a couple of days. Put the Craftsman drivers in and my tool drawer doesn't smell any more.

Thanks big time for the info.

Steve

 

[pauls_workshop]

There has to be a chemical way to counteract the acidity going on here, or else a good spay on solution. How has clear poly coating worked for those that tried? - Paul

 

[CFC2]

wash the handle in ammonia

That's interesting. Does it actually remove the smell of the material (CAB) breaking down or does the ammonia just over power the bad smell of the screwdriver?

 

[cgrutt]

8 yr old thread no wonder they smell lol...

 

[jonesg]

i dont keep tools in a drawer, no problem.

 

[seber]

I sprayed a set of stinky Protos a few years ago with clear lacquer. So far it has been stink free ever since.

 

[zendriver]

Any tricks on keeping screwdrivers from stinking?​

Get old, so your sense of smell diminishes?

My $9 sets HF drivers seem to still smell pretty good.

 

[CFC2]

By the way, for those who might be interested, PB Swiss supposedly infuses their screwdriver handles with vanilla scent.

 

[77thor]

I have never come across any screwdrivers that smell.

 

[rockettauto]

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/

If he doesn't like the smell the tools give off he might not like the smell of ballistol much better.

 

[CFC2]

I have never come across any screwdrivers that smell.

Find you an old Xcelite screwdriver with an old style translucent handle and seal it in a zip lock bag or something if you want the bad smelling screwdriver experience. It has to do with the material they are made from which is Cellulose Acetate Butyrate. It beaks down over time due to bacteria or something. Some people even talk and show how the handles get a white film on them over time. In my experience Xcelite are the only ones I’ve had or come across that smell bad. Some people describe it as a very bad smell. Like rancid butter, vomit or something. I don’t think any of my Xcelite are that bad. But they do have a funk to them. Especially when they are kept in a case or bag enclosed for a while. The smell can become fairly loud or overwhelming then.

Oh, I’ve recently purchased some old Craftsman chisels with clear handles. A couple have a slight film that can be wiped off. They have a funk to them as well. I also got some NOS Craftsman nut drivers in a zippered case. Brand new. But they have a strong smell when the case is opened.

 

[ecotec]

I donate any screwdriver that smells like vomit.

I would rather buy more than I need, and get rid of the ones that smell or are in sub par condition.

Another way of getting rid of a stinky screwdriver is to bring it to work and leave it in a random place, like on top of a gang box or by a bandsaw. Everybody wins…

Let someone else’s tools and garage smell like vomit. Are you really this ******* cheap? Are there really any GJ members that don’t have more than enough screwdrivers for the rest of their lives… times a few more lifetimes?

YMMV… it is reiterated on GJ often… tools are not cheap and plentiful everywhere… but I do not understand the compulsion to live and work with tools that smell like vomit.

There has to be a psychological component to this…

 

[Madjik Man]

Goodness gracious. Never heard of smelly handles.

I have the mid-90s Craftsman screwdrivers and never once thought they smelled.

Then again I smell pretty raw whenever I’m working in the garage so maybe I overpower it?

 

[ecotec]

Goodness gracious. Never heard of smelly handles.

I have the mid-90s Craftsman screwdrivers and never once thought they smelled.

Then again I smell pretty raw whenever I’m working in the garage so maybe I overpower it?

The Butyl in the acetate breaks down and smells like vomit.

The black square handle Snap-on break down the worst. Sometimes they don’t even look like a screwdriver anymore.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

Get old, so your sense of smell diminishes?

Well, you may not smell your screwdrivers but everyone else smells the stinky old man, lol!

 

[pcmeiners]

Lume , if it is good enough for **** cracks it should cure your smelly screw driver issue.

 

[CoogarXR]

Keeping air flowing helps. I keep my xcelite collection in drawers that breathe. They still smell a little, but not nearly as bad as when sealed in plastic cases.

 

[paulsomlo]

Just leave those screwdrivers handle down in a bucket of acetone for a few hours - no more smell!

 

[theoldwizard1]

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

All my really old Craftsman ones mysteriously got bent or the tips chipped off. Then they got warrantied. Replacements did not smell even years later.

 

[zktk01]

for those who have not experienced the smell, you do not have to hold it up to your nose to smell it. I had a wright ratchet with rubber soft grip handle when I opened toolbox almost made me vomit. I had to get rid of it. You do not have to get close to sniff when they go bad.

 

[AEAdam]

Thanks to this thread I just got rid of my old C mans and have a 6 piece set of SO soft grip instinct on the way via the 'bay

Good for you. Those craftsman screwdrivers were not good tools. I upgraded to SnapOn 30 years ago and was happy I did. Night and day.

 

[steel 35]

What A Stank that is!

 

[jonesg]

I have never come across any screwdrivers that smell.

plastic polymer handles gas off fumes from the process.
A drawer traps the fumes, so...

I used to use acrylic polymer that stunk exactly like vomit when catalyzed.
In order for the smell not to intensify the tools have to breathe, hence keep them in a stand.

The trick is not caring that they smell.

 

[PMD1966]

wash the handle in ammonia

Work at a car dealer when I was younger. A mechanic bought a new set of screwdrivers and wanted to keep them looking new. Friday he got a gallon can of lacquer thinner and let the screwdriver handles soak over the week end. Monday morning and handles were gone.

 

[AEAdam]

Work at a car dealer when I was younger. A mechanic bought a new set of screwdrivers and wanted to keep them looking new. Friday he got a gallon can of lacquer thinner and let the screwdriver handles soak over the week end. Monday morning and handles were gone.

I tried to clean my Snap on HH screwdriver with brake clean once. You only make that mistake once.

I now use a non gritty hand cleaner (permatex) to clean my plastic handles. Works pretty great and convenient.