That HF Stank

[GeeTeeOhh]

I bought what suits me and what I can afford, a 56" HF rolling tool chest. I won't hold it up against a tool chest that costs 3-4 times as much. but one thing I discovered is the top mat stinks to high heaven.

After coming home on a warm day, the entire garage has the smell of an asphalt plant that has been wiped down with carb cleaner. Upon further inspection, the smells appear to emanate from the plastic mat that is on the top of the unit. The drawer liners seemed fine.

I pulled the mat off the top, and was greeted by an oily film between the mat and metal case. I decided to scrub the mat and case with grease cutter, but the mat does not want to come clean of the oily residue.

Any tips from owners? I will probably replace the mat, thinking about some vinyl coin flooring from Home Depot. And talking to HF about the problem.

Not here to stir the pot, but looking for a good solution to the problem.

 

[mikester]

How about the rubber floor runner material that has the lines in it ? I think Home Dumpo sells it off a roll by the yard.

 

[PugetDude]

Too bad you didn't purchase your tool chest in Overland Park...

 

[unslow1]

Actually after buying that HF 56" and working out of two different Snap on boxes prior I would say you underestimate that HF box. It will hold up just fine. The smell of the mat I can't help you with. I tossed all the mats and drawer liners. Then put in their solid ones that come in a roll.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

I have a friend in the tire distribution business. He says when they get a truck load of Chinese tires in, same smell as HF. From what I read, Chinese rubber industry uses a higher sulphur content in their mix to speed up curing and reduce time in the mold. Don't know this for fact, but it is what I've read and that rubber does have kind of a sulphur smell.

 

[measuredtwice]

I have a friend in the tire distribution business. He says when they get a truck load of Chinese tires in, same smell as HF. From what I read, Chinese rubber industry uses a higher sulphur content in their mix to speed up curing and reduce time in the mold. Don't know this for fact, but it is what I've read and that rubber does have kind of a sulphur smell.

A company importing rubber coated weightlifting plates had the stinky rubber plates analyzed by a lab and it contained used crankcase oil. Partial quote below. I've also read other articles saying something similar.

Manufacturing in China originally seemed like a good idea. That was before poison pet food, catfish raised in sewer water tainted with banned antibiotics, and faulty tires made without the gum-strip that binds the belts of a tire to each other. Lately, newspapers have reported toys painted with lead-based paint, and toothpaste containing a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze. Now there’s talk of the fear that our oil rig construction and bridgebuilding industries may have used substandard structural steel tubing, imported from China, that does not conform to ASTM specifications. You think it couldn’t happen to you? Go on the internet and type: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/sports.html Are there any companies that you recognize? Although we have never had a product recall, we have had our share of problems when manufacturing in or importing goods from China. One time we got a load of rubber dumbbell plates that smelled like the Ganges. We tried the normal odor removers like “Natures Miracle” and “Stink-A-Way,” but to little avail. Finally, out of desperation, we sent a plate to the Lab for analysis. The finding: the rubber mixture contained used crankcase oil. I don’t know, maybe the factory thought that this was a form of recycling. Some products are just too risky to be made in China.

 

[ZRX61]

Don't forget the issue with the steel in the new Bay Bridge.

 

[MileHighRover]

Nearly everything rubber from HF has that smell. Very distinct. Talking to HF about it won't change a thing because they're not going to stop buying from China. Toss the mat and put something else on top. The box is still the best you'll find for the money.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Unless you like the smell of asphalt, you will at least need to change out those liners for something less aeromatic... I used cut down yoga mats... but yes, it's the Chinesium rubber offgassing.

 

[blazemaster83]

I cant stand the smell of HF, I couldn't imagine working there just for that reason. Try setting the mat outside for a week, it should help a bunch.

 

[Ton ton]

Don't forget the issue with the steel in the new Bay Bridge.

Which Bay Bridge are you talking about? Just curious.

 

[M635_Guy]

My HF smells like... nothing, or at least nothing overpowering. I sorta remember what I keep hearing abouthere, but it's been long gone from all three stores in my area.

My USG 26" rubber is also scent-free and dry, though it's at the back of my garage where it's not in the sun.

I'm actually going to make a mat from oiled leather for the tray on my USG 5-drawer cart, the top of my 26" chest and make a 2-sided ~24"x36" work tray - something soft I can put parts/fasteners/tools on. It might fail spectacularly, but seems like it might be fun and a half-hide (12-17 sq. ft.) was under $40 shipped.

 

[nh_yota]

I cant stand the smell of HF, I couldn't imagine working there just for that reason. Try setting the mat outside for a week, it should help a bunch.

Working at HF in the State of California causes cancer.

 

[tdkkart]

I suspect they just inject the smell into their air handlers so we're not disappointed when we walk in the door. Come to expect it ya know.......

Actually, my nearest Harbor Freight is nearly 80 miles round trip from my door, in a direction I have no other reason to go, so I rarely visit.

 

[dnschmidt]

My HF doesn't stink at all here at Bell Road and 32nd Street in Phoenix. Oh MY, maybe I've got Covid-19 as loss of smell is one of the symptoms. Probably never know as you’ve got to die in the streets out here to get a test. Apparently, Arizona feels that testing people that are already on ventilators is the best Covid-19 response.

 

[GeeTeeOhh]

How about the rubber floor runner material that has the lines in it ? I think Home Dumpo sells it off a roll by the yard.

Thanks, I'll look into it...as well as some of the other ideas.

I took the mat outside and scrubbed it, it will stay there for a week or so, then to the trash if it still reeks.

 

[Voi]

 

[Knotgoalie]

The odor is akin to the chemical cleaner used on school hallways known as "Barfium" to all those who have been subjected to it.

 

[zippster]

Is it just me but did Kmart smell the same way in the 80's. (Yeah, I'm old)

 

[klitzke]

So I just bought that toolbox last fall. It’s a great toolbox and I use it professionally like many of my peers at other companies.

I used alcohol to wipe the mat and box down pretty quick to kill the stank. That seemed to do a lot! I do know that I tossed the mat pretty quick after in favor of a horse stall mat from Fleet. So maybe I’m not remembering well...?

Either way good luck with the top! I will recommend the horse stall mat personally. I’ve been using them exclusively for about 4 years now.

 

[Shiftless]

Which Bay Bridge are you talking about? Just curious.

The Bay bridge connects San Francisco to Oakland to the East.
The Golden Gate bridge connects San Francisco to Marin county to the North.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

The HF smell isn't any worse than the smell in the flip flop aisle at Stop& Shop when I was a kid. For some reason, new cheeepo flip flops, especially the ones with a straw top, have smelled the same since I was in grade school.

I do, however, kind of like the smell of real Craftsman screwdriver handles.

Tommy

 

[Ton ton]

Thanks, shiftless.

 

[Speed-Racer]

Replace the liner, lots of really good reviews on the NSI material which is USA made liner and does not smell.

https://nsimaterialsgroup.com/collections/tool-box-drawer-liner-material/products/tb-liner

 

[pizza]

imagine working in a place that rich in VOCs. seriously, that **** can't be healthy.

off the top of my head, the smelliest stores i've encountered are..

• harbor freight
• tire places like pep boys
• fitness supply places that sell rubber mats and rubber coated weightlifting plates
• those moronic stores in malls that sell scented candles and cosmetics (can smell it from many yards away)

nice air quality

 

[WittHay]

Once in a while , Princess Auto brings in a pallet load of rubber mats and the whole area smells. The stores are more like big box stores so the whole place doesn't stink up but still bad enough. The rubber mats are made locally from recycled rubber in hopefully 1st world conditions but rubber still smells when piled up.

I found that the made in USA top tool box mats used by Snap-on and Mac are good. No real smell or oil coming from them. Not sure how you can find a cheap source or the OEM for those mats

 

[egdede]

They sell airplanes there? I thought they were the Canadian HF?

 

[Old Man Roger]

I do, however, kind of like the smell of real Craftsman screwdriver handles.
Tommy

You can't be serious? They smell like puke!

 

[Paco Pena]

A week or two in the sun should be a big improvement. Some rubber floor mats for the car do the same.

Paco

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Don't forget the issue with the steel in the new Bay Bridge.

I am just about finished reading 'The Great Bridge' by David McCullough about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. Perfect timing! I know you're referring to a different bridge but there was a fiasco with a low bid contractor supplying inferior steel wire for the cables of the suspension bridge.

 

[Elsinore13]

The stench was so bad I never let the mats enter my shop. As I unboxed the chests I tossed the top mats in the bed of my truck to throw in the dumpster at work. I procrastinated on the tossing and even weeks later out in the Texas sun, the damn things still stunk like nothing else.

I always associated the smell with old stale gasoline but someone above mentioning used motor oil in the Chinesium could be the culprit.

 

[AA/FC]

Its because all Chinese rubber products are made from their recycled condoms. Remember, China limits the number of kids each family can have.... So there are PLENTY of used condoms in that country. Lol. And also keep in mind, China has very little natural rubber production in their country, they need to import a majority of their natural rubber so you can be sure they're using every used condom they can get their hands on. Lolol.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Its because all Chinese rubber products are made from their recycled condoms. Remember, China limits the number of kids each family can have.... So there are PLENTY of used condoms in that country. Lol. And also keep in mind, China has very little natural rubber production in their country, they need to import a majority of their natural rubber so you can be sure they're using every used condom they can get their hands on. Lolol.

And here I was worrying that the used motor oil would be toxic

 

[WittHay]

They sell airplanes there? I thought they were the Canadian HF?

Just a picture trying to show that the US made non directional mats used by American tool box manufacturers are good quality and dont smell

Princess Auto is a Canadian store that has a mix of US and Taiwan tools along with the usual Chinese shop equipment. There bring in a assortment of Canadian made products. You can buy Hobart welders there along with getting hydraulic hoses made up.

Harbor Freight to me is a Asian import store that happens to be owned by a American

 

[nh_yota]

Ocean State Job Lot and Big Lots smell just as bad as Harbor Freight.

 

[BSWS]

I just sniffed the underside of the mat on my HF box, after a year the smell is still there.

I used to fly from one job site to the next so 2 or 3 times a month I'd have to buy a new 2 wheel hand truck from a big box store. While hauling that in the back of a rented SUV the same smell from the tires was nauseating at times. I'm reminded of it as soon as I open the door at HF, but at least it's not quite as intense.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, A cheap tool or a cheap rubber mat should smell cheap.

 

[PugetDude]

IMHO, A cheap tool or a cheap rubber mat should smell cheap.

In this case, perception IS reality.

 

[Matt The Hammer]

Anyone make a moisture absorbing mat for tool boxes? I toss those 'do not eat' packs in the drawers all the time to help prevent rust. But if there were mats that did that - absorb rather than give China rubber smell - that would be great.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I bought some closed cell black foam to use for things like kneel pads in my canoe from Princess Auto, my Jeep stank to high heaven just bringing it home. A few years' later, it finally finished off gassing. Where I worked the company brought in 1/8" rubber sheets for gaskets, of course my tool boxes got 1/8" rubber liners.


Princess Auto has the advertising slogan " The unique world of Princess Auto " It's pretty accurate way of describing it. While it has some standard stock, like it's impact sockets, it has a lot of surplus stock their buyers find. I've bought the last of the made in USA Pony FA clamps on sale. You never know what you'll find. It's another store where they won't let you out the door until you spend $100, I've never been stopped.

As it started on the prairies, there is a lot of farm type stuff.