Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 5:34 pm
Does anyone have a tool box, probably plastic, that smells like nasty old cheese when you open it up. I have experienced this with a couple smaller tool boxes. What's the deal??
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Re: Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 5:36 pm
By chance do you have Sears screwdrivers with plastic handles in the box?
Re: Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 5:48 pm
GOOD LORD it's another set of stinky Craftsman's!!!!!
I have an old set of nut drivers that when cooped up smell like, well, I'd say that "nasty old cheese" is a very kind and not too incorrect of a description.
I have an old set of nut drivers that when cooped up smell like, well, I'd say that "nasty old cheese" is a very kind and not too incorrect of a description.
Re: Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 7:18 pm
OMG, the amber colored c'man screwdrvers smell like this (or worse)...
I donated my old ones off, because (1) they cammed out my screws, and (2) a new set of Carslyle drivers at Napamwere all of $20 on sale. Seriously... old tools are kinda cool, but like Acetate Film, once it's gone, it's WAY gone.
Sure, it broke my heart, until the first time I used them...
I donated my old ones off, because (1) they cammed out my screws, and (2) a new set of Carslyle drivers at Napamwere all of $20 on sale. Seriously... old tools are kinda cool, but like Acetate Film, once it's gone, it's WAY gone.
Sure, it broke my heart, until the first time I used them...
Re: Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 7:42 pm
Here is what the internet says :
The problem is that as those handles get old, they start releasing butyric acid and free acetic acid. Butyric acid, in particular, smells like smelly socks. It's a carboxylic acid, and the bad part is that it migrates within your confined toolbox, which means other tools absorb some of that nasty stink.
Xcelite nutdrivers are famous for that.
The problem is that as those handles get old, they start releasing butyric acid and free acetic acid. Butyric acid, in particular, smells like smelly socks. It's a carboxylic acid, and the bad part is that it migrates within your confined toolbox, which means other tools absorb some of that nasty stink.
Xcelite nutdrivers are famous for that.
Re: Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 8:25 pm
Dang. All this time I've been searching for a pair of my grandson's gym socks. 
Re: Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 8:34 pm
I've had some of those stinking plastic handled tool sets get moldy too. Some types of mold love those organic acids. jb
Re: Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2020 12:37 am
Even Snap-On black handles will begin to "sweat" and shrink and finally craze and disintegrate. If they are in a drawer or toolbox the gasses given off will rust and corrode other tools nearby. I have had several nice tools ruined by disintegrating screwdriver handles of many different makes.
Re: Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2020 1:14 am
I have had some Snap-on handles do that while others right next them have survived just fine. Snap-on did replace them for me.
Re: Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2020 2:01 am
Never smelled the smell except for a new milwaukee (chink-sorry china) drill that smelled of burnt plastic as soon as ya run it.
JB, I have some of those nut drivers and a Stanley screwdriver too! They look terrible.
Scott, same here.
JB, I have some of those nut drivers and a Stanley screwdriver too! They look terrible.
Scott, same here.
Re: Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2020 2:37 am
Well, that explains a lot. I have had that problem with a small plastic toolbox that I keep "household" tools in. Never could figure out why it smelled like that, never noticed that with any other box. I finally figured out how to cure the problem, I leave it open most of the time. 
Dave
DaveRe: Smelly Tool Boxes
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2020 9:58 am
Not a toolbox, but one year I opened my tackle box for the first time of the season and discovered that I forgot to toss the unused catfish bait. I haven't made that mistake since.