Craftsman screwdrivers....

[W650Mike]

Bunch of tool sniffers!

 

[Biomed]

I think I remember reading in a Craftsman catalog in the late '90s that the handles were made of butyrate. Butyrate is derived from cellulose, and contains butyric (or butanoic) acid. The acid is what stinks. Xcelite screwdriver handles are made from this same material and have the same problem, although I don't really notice it much and it doesn't bother me.

Other screwdrivers with translucent handles made from petroleum-based acetate don't seem to smell like anything - I have Vaco, Stanley 100 Plus, S-K, AT&G, Diamond, Truecraft, and a few other brands that give off no odor.

This is a pretty humorous topic that comes up about twice a year, it seems.

Interesting explanation. However my Craftsman screwdrivers (made by Pratt-Read) have the smell while my other newer Pratt-Read screwdrivers and torx drivers do not. Perhaps Pratt-Read has changed materials to avoid the odor.

 

[tw33k2514]

Can honestly say I have never had the urge to sniff a tool.

 

[5-0stank]

I've never "sniffed" a tool, but my dad has a ton of older hard handle screwdrivers, and they definitely smell. You don't have to actually put your face in the drawer...

 

[Biomed]

Can honestly say I have never had the urge to sniff a tool.

Typically I do not have the urge to sniff tools and I bet that is the case for most people here on Garage Journal. However one day when you open your toolbox and it smells like somebody puked in there you begin to wonder where the aroma is coming from.

 

[tw33k2514]

Typically I do not have the urge to sniff tools and I bet that is the case for most people here on Garage Journal. However one day when you open your toolbox and it smells like somebody puked in there you begin to wonder where the aroma is coming from.

Guess if you put it that way..... Yeah, id sniff it then.

 

[bushpilot]

You do NOT have to do any more than open the drawer <if that> to smell the stench !

 

[BajaBound]

That is so lame! I am not sure I would be well received at the sears tool counter if I get a drawer full of ****** smelling screw drivers! lol

 

[greasemonkey44]

get a quart of acetone, pour it into a jar
grab your screwdriver by the tip of the blade
dip it into the acetone a few times, then let it dry

it works for scratches and oil funks that get on tools after a while, when youre done theyll look like new

 

[wrenchr]

I know the smell but other odors in my garage mask that one, gas, cleaners.
As the temps warm up my garage will smell like a body shop!!! I love the smell of paints and fillers in the morning!!!

 

[jrw4545]

I have to input my story. I worked for Sears around the early 60's At the time I purchased a lot of their hand tools. To this day, some 55 years later the tools still stink. Matter of fact, because of the fowl order my wife will not allow me to keep my toolbox in the house. It's embarrassing when I go on a job to work in someone's home, when I open my toolbox it smells like I left a fart... I've noticed the look on peoples faces, you know the look.