Does your mallet stink?

[Salty]

Just wondering if anyone else has a stinky rubber mallet from HF?
I finally had to put it in a plastic bag. It smells like stinky rubber. You know the smell.
But hey, I bought that thing nearly 2 years ago...and it still stinks.
I considered throwing it away but I was afraid they would bring it back to me because it would smell up the landfill!

[AlanWS]

Mine has a layer of tape on it because it stank, and left marks. The tape gets reapplied now and then.

[LinuxRandal]

Not that mallet, but my fathers 40+ year old Xcelite screwdrivers, STILL stink. (and the new ones do too)

[SHADOWFOX]

I considered throwing it away but I was afraid they would bring it back to me because it would smell up the landfill!

That's hilarious!! My stomach still hurts from laughing.

[dkerfoot]

I worked for an office furniture manufacturer for many years. One time they switched glue suppliers and had millions of dollars worth of panels (cubicle walls) returned because the glue started stinking after about 3 months.

[docrowan]

I've got one and mine doesn't stink - at least I've never smelled it. Not going to, either. My neighbors think I'm weird enough without them seeing me smell my hammers.

[footprintsinconc]

LOL! that may actually be a feature. keeps unwanted beings out of the shop, maybe even thiefs!!!

[Tom Slick]

everything made of rubber from HF stinks, in fact the entire store smells like stinky rubber!

[cwithboat]

And here I thought you had misspelled wallet.

[eccentrictinkerer]

Not that mallet, but my fathers 40+ year old Xcelite screwdrivers, STILL stink. (and the new ones do too)

Up 'til now I thought I was the only one with stinky screwdrivers! They're Xcelite, bought new 20 years ago. Must be something in the plastic, but you'd think that 20 years would make them stink less.

I'm sure if I put a dead fish in the tool cabinet it would stop smelling in less than a year!

[dkerfoot]

They're Xcelite, bought new 20 years ago. Must be something in the plastic, but you'd think that 20 years would make them stink less.

Yes! In an office I used to work in we had a few miscellaneous tools we kept in an airtight box that included an Xcelite screwdriver. They were universally referred to as the "Stinky Tools." We'd even have people from other offices ask if they could borrow the stinky tools by name. I guess the one good thing about them was that they were always returned - and as quickly as possible!

Just for clarity, I think what people are talking about here is not simply a strong rubber or plastic smell, but something more like rotten eggs. It isn't exactly a rotten egg smell, but it is more like that than just a normal rubber smell. Definitely a stink, not just a smell if that makes any sense.

[Rand]

Isn't sulphur used to vulcanize rubber?

[DIYJC]

Oh how funny! I have a Craftsman screwdriver passed down from my dad that is like that. Thing must be nearly 40 years old or more. I remember him complaining about it years ago when I was a young boy. He would have got a laugh out of this post! Think I'll step out in my driveway next time my neighbors are about and smell a few hand tools for effect!

[rjwaldren]

I had too laugh the other day...as I caught myself sniffing a mallet - Thanks alot!

[BobSch]

I had too laugh the other day...as I caught myself sniffing a mallet - Thanks alot!

Better than being caught licking it!

(Another Xcelite smelly tool owner.)