stinkin' screwdriver handles

[Stevens]

For some reason the handles on my Craftsman screw drivers smell terrible. When I open that drawer of the tool chest it smells like slicing into a ripe Limburger cheese. Anyone else experiencing that? The screw drivers vary from 25 years old to new the new ones don't have the problem, yet!
Any suggestions as to what to do?
Steve W

 

[Fishslayer]

Pull out that ham & cheese you left in there 25 years ago?

Just throw in one of these...

 

[2fingers]

I have a nut driver set that I got some metal conditioner on back in the 70's and they still stink like rottensocks to this day. Really try not to use them.

 

[sipowicz]

Wash your hands before using them.

 

[jlrhiner]

Now were sniffing tools???

 

[RightArm]

Where you been puttin' 'em?

 

[mr.jbk79]

If I were you, I'd buy a set of Snap On screwdrivers, yeah they are pricey, but if you use them alot you'll appreciate them. They work great and mine haven't smelled in over 10 years I've had them.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Moth balls. That's what you need.

 

[Rule3]

For some reason the handles on my Craftsman screw drivers smell terrible. When I open that drawer of the tool chest it smells like slicing into a ripe Limburger cheese. Anyone else experiencing that? The screw drivers vary from 25 years old to new the new ones don't have the problem, yet!
Any suggestions as to what to do?
Steve W

Yes, I have a few that smell like that. Must by Chinese Plastic. (yes, they are Craftsman) the old ones that I inherited from my Dad do not smell. It is a pretty nasty odor

 

[Hillbilly77]

Now were sniffing tools???

Buy a brand new unopened air tool. Take it out of the box, open up the plastic bag the tool is packaged in and remove the tool. Now sniff... I love that smell.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I think that Rule3 is correct. None of my craftsman screwdrivers have an odor. I bought them over 40 years ago.

It is either that or you should refrain from scratching before using them.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Wood handle that got soaked with hypoid oil? Now that stuff stinks!

 

[jkc]

I've noticed the same phenomenon with some Craftsman tool handles, although it's seemed to have dissipated after many years...

Now, to a more intriguing question --- who can identify the message in Rule 3's avatar? Don't spoil it by blurting out the meaning, just reply in the affirmative if you know what it signifies, and, even better, reply in the negative if you don't. I'll add that I do know what it means, so don't be clever by trying to inform me...

 

[Fishslayer]

Now were sniffing tools???

OK. Now THAT sounded really, REALLY bad!

 

[CJ]

If I were you, I'd buy a set of Snap On screwdrivers, yeah they are pricey, but if you use them alot you'll appreciate them. They work great and mine haven't smelled in over 10 years I've had them.

I have several sets of black handle Snap On screwdrivers purchased new about 30-35 years ago. They don't really have a strong odor but it is there. The oddest thing is the handles sweat. Wipe them down good, go to use them weeks later and they have a strange moist film on them. That sweating will slowly eat the paint off unprotected tool box drawers. I suspect it is from many years of being in solvent and petroleum products. I'd think that after all this time they'd have detoxed themselves dry. I've sometimes wondered if Snap On will warranty them.

 

[Frank46]

Craftsman has a lot of their stuff made overseas. After the last set to with trying to get an exchange on a busted ratchet I said the heck with them and buy the kobold made in china. haven't had to take anything back in almost a year. Half the time you go looking for an american wrench and they don't have it. No problem kobold has it.

 

[Hillbilly77]

...Snap On screwdriver... handles...I've sometimes wondered if Snap On will warranty them.

I can answer this for you - the answer is NO.
Snap-On doesn't warranty screwdriver handles anymore. They will only warranty the blades now.
I'm not exactly sure when they stopped warranting handles, but I know that they don't. I've seen a bunch guys war with the Snap-On guy about broken screwdriver handles.
I haven't broken any handles yet, but I'll know what to expect if I do.

 

[JcMack]

I buy all my hand tools like screwdrivers at the GARY, IN. flea mkt. They have square wooden handles when I can find them and a little rust but the steel is harder than anything you can find now. They do smell however. They smell like the sweat of people that had jobs 40 years ago.

 

[jlrhiner]

Now, to a more intriguing question --- who can identify the message in Rule 3's avatar? Don't spoil it by blurting out the meaning, just reply in the affirmative if you know what it signifies, and, even better, reply in the negative if you don't. I'll add that I do know what it means, so don't be clever by trying to inform me...

Absolutely!

 

[dhallz71]

I can answer this for you - the answer is NO.
Snap-On doesn't warranty screwdriver handles anymore. They will only warranty the blades now.
I'm not exactly sure when they stopped warranting handles, but I know that they don't. I've seen a bunch guys war with the Snap-On guy about broken screwdriver handles.
I haven't broken any handles yet, but I'll know what to expect if I do.

Must have been in the last year. I had a bunch of old handles replaced a little over a year ago. The screwdrivers were at least 30 years old.