Do Your Screwdrivers Stink? Restoration

This video will tell you why old plastic handled tools may stick and show you a possible solution to fix the issue. This may or may not be a long term solution. Time will tell.

Two years ago I restored an old Craftsman screwdriver that have a thick somewhat gummy opaque film covering the entire handle. It turned out great and I was very proud of it because it was used by a dear old family member. A year goes by and I notice a terrible smell in my toolbox. Took a moment of sniffing each tool but the handle of the old Craftsman was the source.

Vintage clear handled screwdriver were usually made from cellulose acetate butyrate, a material created about 1930. Its primary ingredient (cellulose acetate) is made by reacting the cellulose from wood pulp with various acids. Under the right circumstances—the presence of various types of bacteria, moisture, and warm temperatures, all readily found in Alabama or most anywhere on the planet. Normally a very resilient type of plastic, cellulose acetate plastics can degrade quite easily, giving off a stink some describe as dog vomit.

Total time invested in the seven drive handles restoration was about 1-1/2 hours. It can be done a bit quicker if not for making a YouTube video.

All video was captured and edited using an iPhone 8 Plus, Shure MV5 Microphone, an iMac with iMovie and Photoshop.

Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:22 - What makes an old screwdriver stink?
2:00 - Development of a fix for stinky screwdriver handles
6:47 - restoration of stinky driver handles
9:27 - Prep for clear coat application
10:57 - Presentation of the restore screwdriver handles
11:19 - Ready to work!
11:35 - Parting shot



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DISCLAIMER: I am not sponsored. I do not endorse any products or services. Nothing is for sale. My videos are strictly for entertainment. I don't recommend the use of any techniques or procedures that may be dangerous or could inflect serious bodily harm. If you view my video(s) you are acknowledging that you have read and understand this disclaimer in full.