# tool box odor

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-box-odor/662499>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 3, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-box-odor/662499 "2013-07-03T02:09:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pjtrenthem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/90db22/32.png) [@pjtrenthem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjtrenthem)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-box-odor/662499/1 "2013-07-03T02:09:44Z")

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I have a couple of tool boxes that smell pretty much like vomit. Obviously the plastic they’re made of. 1. What kind of horrible plastic is this, and 2. why would they use it?

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**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-box-odor/662499/2 "2013-07-03T02:54:59Z")

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Good question. I think I have one of those you’re talking about. It was a cheapo Craftsmen that came with assorted screw drivers. Smelled horrible from day one and still stinks 18 years later.

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**Author:** ![the\_O](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@the\_O](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_O)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-box-odor/662499/3 "2013-07-03T02:56:03Z")

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18 years ain’t bad for “cheapo.”

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**Author:** ![pjtrenthem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/90db22/32.png) [@pjtrenthem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjtrenthem)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-box-odor/662499/4 "2013-07-03T14:21:52Z")

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Absolutely to both replies. Great tool boxes; had 'em for years. Stink like day one.

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**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-box-odor/662499/5 "2013-07-03T14:35:15Z")

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Mine stinks as well- and while it happens to be a Craftsman, I’ve noticed that non-Craftsman tool boxes and even tackle boxes get that same vomitous smell, as do certain rubberized items like ponchos and some raincoats.

I think it’s a breakdown product of some plasticizer or chemical used in rubber or grease or something.

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**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-box-odor/662499/6 "2013-07-03T14:47:26Z")

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I have a fabric tool bag from Harbor Freight that smelled horrible especially when wet. I finally put it into the washing machine with some old junk towels. Much better now.

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**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-box-odor/662499/7 "2013-07-03T15:01:04Z")

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It’s [cellulose acetate butyrate](http://dwarmstr.blogspot.ca/2013/02/why-toolboxes-and-tool-handles-stink.html)

> [@](#):
>
> A thermoplastic, it offers excellent UV and solvent resistance that cellulose acetate doesn’t offer.