Mysterious case of rusting screwdrivers

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Rodent pee will do that.

 

[Pete.]

Same thing happened to my brother's toolbox, over a long time. Everything that was plated went furry. I'll ask him what caused it - he did tell me but I forget.

 

[Sammy7]

Had the same issue again it was found to be an old plastic handle.

 

[richie00boy]

I do buy up, old , decent brand screwdrivers. That could explain it. Any way to tell which one / ones are doing it?

It might be difficult as you have washed them now, but sniff the handle of each one, if you get a vinegar smell that's the culprit. In my case I also found the handle was slightly oozing where the shaft goes into the handle.

What I would do in the meantime is put all the screwdrivers out in a line on some kitchen roll and monitor.

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

On the subject of Camphor.
This seller is accepting £3.75 for 2 by 3 packs of 8.

pardon the interuption

 

[Blobber]

I've always said I would never own tools that look like the handles are made of boiled sweets, looks like I made the right decision for once!

 

[arther dailey]

The cause is those coloured transparent handles breaking down and releasing acetic acid. I've had it happen to me with an old Stanley screwdriver, started causing other tools in the box to rust. Unfortunately there is no cure - they just keep gassing off once they start. You might find it's one particular screwdriver that's the culprit, but could be more.

100% agree. had the same , one screw driver handle had started to melt

 

[plewlandsbob]

Am 100% sure it is not a rodent problem. This is drawer in toolbox, that screwdrivers are kept. Pretty random / inaccessible place to go , for a pi££, even for a mouse.

 

[plewlandsbob]

Dug out all the translucent handle screwdrivers, in my garage. Found this one in box of old screwdrivers, that needs a bit of cleaning up. An old Steadfast stumpy Philips.

 

[plewlandsbob]

And this one was in screwdriver drawer. I cleaned it up yesterday. But it smells of vinegar. So have wiped all the screwdrivers and laid them out on some paper roll. Will keep checking back on them.

 

[plewlandsbob]

The 2 suspect handles, along side another Steadfast screwdriver. You can clearly see, the 2 small ones have , an orange peel look about them.

 

[Pete.]

I would take that lot on the table, select 6 or 8 that I'm likely to use and bin the rest.

 

[Farside]

Interesting. I have a Steadfast 'driver the same as that big one. It's been indestructible so far, but I'll keep an eye on it. Might be a particular age of resin was susceptible to decaying like this.

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

bin the rest.

Wash your mouth out!

 

[Screwdriver]

I would dunk those handles in some acetone. Should bring them up shiny and new. Plus it might stop the rot.

 

[arther dailey]

Wash your mouth out! View attachment 503421

the point being the fumes from the "rotten" ones will rust out everything including your tool box if metal .

 

[brightspark]

Any acid anywhere remotely near will do that. I’d used some brick acid to clean some horseshoes and left it in the open container. My nice spanner set was nearby….

so the horse shoes didnt bring you any luck

 

[richie00boy]

And this one was in screwdriver drawer. I cleaned it up yesterday. But it smells of vinegar. So have wiped all the screwdrivers and laid them out on some paper roll. Will keep checking back on them.View attachment 503402

The 6th one up from the bottom on that photo, the bulbous one, that's very similar type to the one of mine that's gone. I've thought about sawing off the handle and putting another one on, but got no further than thinking about it as I don't have a 3d printer or lathe to make a replacement handle.

 

[plewlandsbob]

That one smells ok and is not leaking any liquid, but it has a mouldy like appearance. Will get a closer pic tonight, when I check them.

 

[plewlandsbob]

I would dunk those handles in some acetone. Should bring them up shiny and new. Plus it might stop the rot.

Do you just dip them in or do you have to let them soak , for a while?

Do you need proper acetone or is wife's, nail Polish remover from tesco, good enough? Never used acetone before.