To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Smelly screwdrivers

J

Jon_E

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 19, 2015
Messages
575
Location
Southwestern Vermont
OK, I made a long post about my Craftsman screwdrivers that stink, and THEN did a search that answered my question. Edited for brevity. Apparently these things offgas an ester of butyric acid that is also found in dairy, vomit and poop. And bananas, I guess. There is no way to prevent the offgassing, it is perpetual and more-or-less decomposition.

Can anyone recommend a good brand that does not smell like vomit? I am looking for a decent professional brand screwdriver set. And does anyone want to buy these barf-odor Craftsmans?
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
C

Carguy99

Well-known member
Joined
May 25, 2012
Messages
717
Location
Warrenville IL
Had a dewalt that stunk. I was glad when that thing died.
Funny now I smell tools before I buy them. I try to be nonchalant about it.
 
A

anndel

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 28, 2015
Messages
3,270
Location
Hawaii, USA
My Clear handle 30 year old and 1 year old Craftsman screwdrivers made by Western Forge (WF) both stink. The old ones plastic handle are starting to get soft and pieces rub off.

My 30 year old Snap On black hard handles - no smell. I clean both after each use with baby wipes (they not only wipe pee and poop off a baby's **** but are great at removing grease and oil).
 
T

T45

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 20, 2014
Messages
3,250
OP -- look for some german drivers, buy witte, wera, wiha, felo or similar

$25-40 bucks and be done with it, less if on sale
 
R

Revelations

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2015
Messages
274
My new USA made cman screw drivers also smell funny. They're the clear/red ones. I think leaving them in the sun a day or 2 may help them off gas.


e1ebe7f1c46170a6d66438aeb044fb62.png
REVELATIONS 8
 
Last edited:
C

Ctkelly

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2016
Messages
59
Location
Iowa
A few months ago I had to borrow a screwdriver out of my coworkers toolbox, he was at break. When he returned I told him I borrowed it and handed it back to him. He swore up and down that wasn't his, because his screwdriver stinks....he goes to his toolbox, produces this ancient yellowed craftsmen the same size and says smell...wow! Well, I ended up with the non smelly screwdriver because I couldn't convince him it was his. Apparently I was up to some shenanigans.

I own a set of older sk hard green handles. No stink off of them.
 
T

T45

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 20, 2014
Messages
3,250
owenst7 said:
Why does he need to buy German screwdrivers?
Click to expand...

OP: "Can anyone recommend a good brand that does not smell like vomit? I am looking for a decent professional brand screwdriver set."

;)
 
K

Know Wosad

Banned
Joined
May 15, 2016
Messages
811
T45 said:
OP: "Can anyone recommend a good brand that does not smell like vomit? I am looking for a decent professional brand screwdriver set."

;)
Click to expand...
Proto or Williams and be done with it. Pick a style. They're all good.
(here they come with the screwdriver handle acid test and Williams crooked bit stories). Gawd.:eyecrazy:
 
R

rlitman

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Messages
24,582
Location
Long Island
owenst7 said:
Why does he need to buy German screwdrivers?
Click to expand...

The insulated Wera and Wiha drivers I have use polypropylene (and rubber insets) for the handles that won't decompose like the acetate in the clear/translucent US made screwdrivers (though is a little more brittle too). However, Germany is not the ONLY source of screwdrivers that don't break down (and most of the newer Wera screwdrivers I have are made in the Czech Republic now).

That being said, I have Format and Heyco screwdrivers with acetate handles from West Germany that aren't that smelly yet (also ancient Snap On stuff). And I've got much newer Vaco stuff that stinks to high heaven. Some of the issue has to do with the formulation of the plastic.
 
OP
J

Jon_E

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 19, 2015
Messages
575
Location
Southwestern Vermont
Got home from work and promptly dumped every screwdriver with a clear/translucent handle into an old #10 can. They're not gonna stink up the toolbox anymore. Not much left though. A couple Kleins, an old Stanley Handyman, three orange-handled Snap-Ons (which I hate), and a couple with wood handles.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
R

rlitman

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Messages
24,582
Location
Long Island
Jon_E said:
Got home from work and promptly dumped every screwdriver with a clear/translucent handle into an old #10 can. They're not gonna stink up the toolbox anymore. Not much left though. A couple Kleins, an old Stanley Handyman, three orange-handled Snap-Ons (which I hate), and a couple with wood handles.
Click to expand...

I think you should dump them in a flat rate postage box...

Those Kleins get the stink too. The core under the rubber cover is acetate.
Never had the smell from my wood handled screwdrivers.
 
B

bonneyman

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
8,767
Location
Desert SW
No need to throw out the drivers. Soak the handles in a Ballistol and water mixture for an hour, then remove and wipe dry. The mixture neutralizes acidic residue and thus gets rid of the smell. Did it to my VACO nut drivers - they no longer stink.

http://www.ballistol.com/
 
D

Dave455

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Messages
5,800
Location
Sussex, England
You don't need to avoid all clear handle drivers!

Most of 'em (older Stanley's, Vessel, CK etc etc) use cellulose acetate handles, which to be honest seems to be a perfect material for screwdriver handles! It doesn't seem to decay or shrink in any way, doesn't smell, and is more then durable enough for most purposes!

Some manufacturers like to go one better though, and use cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB). In theory this is a better material as it's much more shatter resistant. I first encountered it on marples chisel handles, where it may well be needed, but I'm not convinced it is for screwdrivers!

This is the only stuff you need to be wary of, and you'll know if your drivers use it!
 
W

Wamsutta

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2014
Messages
10,868
Location
Amarillo, Texas
In my opinion, the best smelling screwdrivers in the world are the original MAC comfort grip hard handles. They smell so sugary sweet, you'll wan't to hold them up to your nose all day.
 
T

thebeekeeper1

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
1,011
Location
Illinois
This is something I learned here a while back. I keep a tool box in my truck and every time you open it the thing smells horrible. Just nasty. This reminds me to dig those particular ones out and toss them. Blech! :(
 
T

thebeekeeper1

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
1,011
Location
Illinois
motoretro said:
Seems there was a manufacturer who actually put a scent in their handles to mask the typical smell. Can't remember the Co. although came across it when I was shopping for a new set a few months back.
Motoretro
Click to expand...

Rotting carcass smell? It would be an improvement. :lol_hitti
 
N

nanofrog

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 1, 2012
Messages
1,323
motoretro said:
Seems there was a manufacturer who actually put a scent in their handles to mask the typical smell. Can't remember the Co. although came across it when I was shopping for a new set a few months back.
Motoretro
Click to expand...
PB Swiss adds a vanilla scent to their acetate grips.

Makes me think of pastries and the like every time I use mine. :lol: Now I want some desert... Damn you, garage journal! :drool:
 
T

thebigbadyeti

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
11
Well, I'm not sure about the clear craftsman screwdrivers... But the old snap on hard handles will make your tongue go numb for about a half hour if you lick them. Don't ask me how I know.
 
A

Al Borland

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2016
Messages
1,598
thebigbadyeti said:
Well, I'm not sure about the clear craftsman screwdrivers... But the old snap on hard handles will make your tongue go numb for about a half hour if you lick them. Don't ask me how I know.
Click to expand...

Not "How you know" that's disturbing...
It's the WHY that begs to be asked. Did you lose a bet?
If you wipe the stinky handles with acetone, they still stink, but they will also be sticky. (Tried to get rid of smell, thought it was something that got on the handles)
 
R

Revelations

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2015
Messages
274
bfm336 said:
I picked up the Tekton USA drivers to replace my CM ones, just can't take the puke anymore.
Click to expand...
Yeah! I have mine in a separate container. They smell like those jiggly fishing lures my Dad used in the 80's. Unfortunately I bought the Cman before I knew about Wera and thier legendary laser grip. I may gift the Cman to my 18 yr old nephew, and go with the Wera. Problem is I have OCD with tools. Everything else will now have to be Wera. There is no cure for this madness. [emoji102]

REVELATIONS 8
 
O

outdoorspace

Banned
Joined
Jan 28, 2014
Messages
356
bfm336 said:
Does anyone know if Pratt-Read drivers suffer from this as well??
Click to expand...

None of mine have developed an odor but they are kept in a cool, ventilated workspace. Pratt-Read advertises their classic handles as using cellulose acetate, whether it contains butyric acid is unknown although I imagine that it does.
 
M

Maui

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 16, 2012
Messages
2,863
Location
Upstate NY
I have owned a large number of Craftsman clear handled screwdrivers over the years, and have several in my toolboxes right now. Not once did a single one ever stink that I can remember.

Maui
 
T

txlch

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 6, 2016
Messages
103
Al Borland said:
Not "How you know" that's disturbing...
It's the WHY that begs to be asked. Did you lose a bet?
If you wipe the stinky handles with acetone, they still stink, but they will also be sticky. (Tried to get rid of smell, thought it was something that got on the handles)
Click to expand...

The acetone will dissolve the handles if you let them sit long enough in them. It's just like using PVC cement, you can solvent weld the handles together with acetone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom