xcelite tools

[k...@notreal.com]

I have an old xcelite nut driver set that I haven't used for a while.
I opened the case and it smells worse than fresh dung on your boot. I
can't imagine even the DOD being able to make something that would
still smell so foul after 50 years. I gusts it's no wonder that I
haven't used them in a while.

I have a Ridgid Pro tool box that was pretty bad but after a few years
it's tolerable.

I know xcelite tools stink but is this normal? I can't imagine why
people would buy them.

[Joe Gwinn]

Those handles were made of Cellulose Acetate Butyrate plastic, which
is now decomposing. Butyrate plastic is very tough, molds well, and
is cheap. It was very common in screwdriver handles back in the day.

Joe Gwinn

[Leon]

A lot of plastic handle tools off gas a musty mildewey odor.

I have some old Craftsman screw driver handles that stink.

[k...@notreal.com]

On Sat, 19 Mar 2022 12:38:25 -0500, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
wrote:

This isn't a musky or mildewy smell. This is _really_ bad. What gets
me is the case isn't sealed. I'd think the stink would have
dissipated.

<https://www.amazon.com/Xcelite-HS618N-NUT-Driver-Set/dp/B07CX5417W/ref=sr_1_1>

>
>I have some old Craftsman screw driver handles that stink.

I have some of them. Yes, some of them stink (all Craftsman tools
stink, but...) but not like this!

[k...@notreal.com]

On Sat, 19 Mar 2022 11:16:01 -0400, Joe Gwinn <joeg...@comcast.net>
wrote:

You're likely right but these are _really_ bad. They don't feel like
they're decomposing. I know some plastic gets tacky or gooey when it
ages. I've thrown away several tools and even computer keyboards
because the plastic or "rubber" is decomposing.

[Clare Snyder]

On Sat, 19 Mar 2022 12:38:25 -0500, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
wrote:

I think it was a matter of price - the material was cheap and easy
to mold. They likely had tons of it on the market before they found
out how poorly it stood up long term and how bad it stunk. They were
also not counting on the tools hanging around for 50 years!!!!!
(although they were bad enough adter 10 or 15!!!!!

[Joe Gwinn]

Yeah. Mouse pads too.

One thing - the Butyrate handles clean up well using only hot water
and a bit of soap. I have not had any smelly ones lately, so I don't
know if this also eliminates the smell.

There were few alternatives to Cellulose Acetate Butyrate plastic 50
years ago. It is still widely used today.

Apparently, what is used today is Cellulose Acetate plastic (no butyl
group).

Joe Gwinn

[John McGaw]

In my experience, all of the old-school Xcelite transparent yellow handles
wind up with a cloudy coating, sometimes sticky, but always smelly over the
years. I've probably got four of five that fit that description in my shop
right now. I'm not sure what plastic they used but it definitely had some
bad characteristics.

--
Noli sinere pessimi nequissimique te tristificare!

[k...@notreal.com]

On Sat, 19 Mar 2022 18:28:51 -0400, Joe Gwinn <joeg...@comcast.net>

I'll give it a shot and report back. It's a nice set and works really
well (hollow shaft). I'd like to keep it but not with that skunk
stink.

[J. Clarke]

On Sat, 19 Mar 2022 18:28:51 -0400, Joe Gwinn <joeg...@comcast.net>

50 years ago was 1972. There was a huge range of plastics available
in 1972.

[Joe Gwinn]

Sure, but how many were suitable? The various screwdriver
manufacturers will have done trade studies.

Joe Gwinn

[Clare Snyder]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2022 18:04:06 -0400, Joe Gwinn <joeg...@comcast.net>

Into the sixties it was still the most economical and easy to mold
plastic generally available to industry that was impact resistant
enough to use for tool handles. (also somewhat resistant to chemicals
likely to be encountered in use)

[J. Clarke]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2022 20:40:07 -0400, Clare Snyder <cl...@snyder.on.ca>

Being most economical is not the same though as being "what was
available".

[Clare Snyder]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2022 23:01:20 -0400, J. Clarke

Let me rephrase it -

Into the sixties it was still the most readily available economical
and easy to mold plastic that was impact resistant enough to use for

tool handles. (also somewhat resistant to chemicals likely to be
encountered in use)

Yes, there were better plastis available, but they were either one or
more (and often all) of the following:

More expesive, more difficult to mold, less impact resistant or less
resistant to some common chemical likely to be encountered in use.

The more advanced polymers in use today were NOT in common use in the
late sixties and early seventies for low value articles like knife and
screw driver handles.

Lucite is quite extensively used today for these objects - but it is
CASTm not moulded as it is not thermoplastic. It became available
during the second world war and was used for aircraft windows and
canopies etc - and it took a while for it to perculate down to small
parts manufacturing, where injection molding was the common method of
production.

Top end screwdrivers are now made of nylon. Those used by mere mortals
are made from polypropylene.

The fancy soft touch grips are polyurethane in the nylon handles and
PP/EPDM allow for PP handles.

Hard grades of polyurethane or "Hytrel/Arnitel" type elastomers could
also work very well.

PVC will be susceptible to chemical attack from some chemicals
typically used in automotive workshops. They get gummy and uggly in a
hurry when subjected to petroleum products, solvents like acetone and
brake Kleen, or even many electronic contact cleaners.

[J. Clarke]

On Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:37:57 -0400, Clare Snyder <cl...@snyder.on.ca>

You clearly have never made a canopy for a homebuilt aircraft if you
think acrylic is not thermoplastic.

[Clare Snyder]

On Mon, 21 Mar 2022 17:34:43 -0400, J. Clarke

I stand corrected.. - and it can even be injection molded and
extruded - at least certain formulations

[Leon]

You clearly are being an ass.