I bought mine new about 45 years ago in a combo set at Sears! It is about the only tool from that set that I still have. It is quite unique and useful having a full handle in a stubby design. Best for opening paint cans and other light prying tasks. Mine looks a lot better than what was start with, but not as good as the end result.
The greatest joy I get is restoring the scales of an old pocketknife with hardwood scales from the trees in my yard and giving the knives to people I respect.
@@357magdad I replaced the scales on an old Inox steel knife. The scales were some kind of plastic, maybe Derlin. That knife was ugly when I got it, the scales had shrunk but surprisingly the springs, blades and corkscrew all had good snap. The knife now has Cherry wood scales from MY trees. I liked working on that knife. I have an Edge-pro, so I got the blades shaper then they had been in years. Gave it to a gent I respect. The best part is he wasn't expecting a Christmas present.
Wow, that steel wool stuff works really well; I would never have thought to use it on plastic, thank you for the tip. The finish that you achieve with the rotary tool and polish is next level. Thank you for sharing.
That's an older one as it's marked "Forged" on it. I spoke to a long-time employee at Western Forge (who made this for Sears) and he told me that they stopped hot forging screwdrivers in the mid 1990s. That one is older as I don't spot a date code on it. Western Forge was a joint venture with Sears as the partial investor. While Sears didn't "make" anything, they did invest in companies that would make products for them. Roper, Whirlpool and Western Forge are three examples of that. Money was often provided to these companies to start things up or allow them to expand to keep up with the Sears orders and production.
I have 2 full sets of craftsman Western Forge made screw drivers made in the 90s as well as lots I bought separate .The kits came with the 6 torx tip drivers and 4 way pocket driver . 1 kit is all accounted for in my main tool box and one kit is spread thought mixed in with my other kits or stashed where needed . I told my kids when I go unfortunately they won’t find any $ hidden or stashed but only tons of screwdrivers and flashlights 🤷🏼.
I found your channel when I was just starting to restore old pocketknives. I think our philosophies differ but our love of the old craftmanship is the same.
Nice job and satisfying to watch but I would have left the new blue paint off. I just like the look of a well cared for, yet well used, tool. So does my girlfriend.
What a great job on a Great short bladed screwdriver. One of the more valuable screwdrivers I a surprised it was in a FREE pile! Awesome stuff, thanks!
I just washed 25 mange coated Craftsman screwdrivers in the dishwasher when my wife wasn’t looking. It completely removed the thick layer of white chemical decomposition from all the screwdrivers. This technique is super fast and easy.
Incredible transformation! It’s unbelievable that it came out so clear. Whenever I have tried to restore one with that kind of handle it ended up being scuffed up, but now I realize it was because I used too high of a grit and didn’t polish it. Incidentally, I got G5 epoxy from West Systems, a 2 part epoxy and am surprised how clear it dries when it cures. I bet you could add blobs of it to areas that have big dings in it and then later reshape and polish it up. I will try it one day. The epoxy is very useful and is 5 minute.
I didn't see your comment first, I just posted the same tip to magdad 🙂 It can also work well with superglue, if you build up slowly and don't use activator. It's particularly good on wood (especially if you're applying a clear finish on top). Divots basically vanish in a way they don't if you use any sort of opaque filler.
Nice work. Never heard the word 'mange' to describe the deterioration on plastic handles, but it works. I have a few old drivers with 'mange', but find they stay clean just through use.
I've cleaned the deteriorated plastic and after a while it just seems to come back. I've yet to discover a permanent fix for it. As the plastic breaks down it releases acid. What's weird is it only happens to some handles.
Wow - I never expected that screwdriver to turn out so well! I believe that type of Craftsman handle is one of the best ever designed. Merry Christmas everybody!
You always find great tools to restore,and your methods work really well. Thanks for the tips; hope you find the secret for removing the residual smell on these fungus covered screw-drivers.
Great to come home to two videos from you, thanks so much 👍👍 Man what a transformation on the handle 👏 I gotta try 0000 first next time I get my hands on a screwdriver with a handle like this, the steel wool alone did so much! One thing I wanted to suggest to do about divots like there were here on the domed end, in case you might like to try in future. If you can get the divots clean try filling with successive layers of superglue. You can do it in one shot with epoxy, but that can sometimes have enough of a yellow tinge that you'd see it on a clear plastic handle. Once the glue is filed/sanded flush and then finely sanded some repairs I've done this way (to wood mainly, but also plastic) have become invisible, others you can just barely make out a tide mark around the perimeter but the edge tends to be faint enough you wouldn't spot it at arm's length if you didn't know to look.
Great job on a great Craftsman USA stubby. Looks brand new now! Before the end of the video I was hoping you would say that the terrible smell was gone. I have quite a few of this type acetate screwdrivers that still work great.....just don't get them too close to your nose!
The handles are made of cellulose acetate butyrate. When exposed to excessive heat and moisture, the CAB can degrade into butyric acid, causing “the mange” and the rotten smell.
I have a lot of vintage Craftsman screwdrivers, and there was a certain vintage that all got that same white garbage on the acetate. Thanks for the pointers on removing it!
It happens to a lot of acetate handle tools. The worst one I have is a Vaco. It's really going to pot. Supposedly Snap-On had a huge problem too. Their handles split. I'm not sure if the SO tools were even acetate though?
Nice save, I hope it’s not deteriorating like some of snap-ons. Snap on replaced 5 handles for me. The handles actually crumbled. You do very nice restorations. Thank You
You have dedication. Your restoration materials exceeded the cost of that screwdriver when it was new. You got a good result. But you only have a marginal tool now that it is done. I wouldn't have made the effort! I have 30+ tool chests full of hand tools. I got so frustrated with Craftsman poor quality that I did an almost 100% purge of my Craftsman branded tools in the lathe 70's. About a dozen or two survived the purge. I kept a micrometer, a 1942 drill press, a metal lathe made by Atlas, a ball pien hammer, some specialty wrenches, and a few sockets. I invested time in saving the drill press. That model production lasted only 6 months. WW2 war production killed that product. I reluctantly admit that I really like that drill press. It is far from my best, but it is a nice option for small part work. It is a mid range size of my 5 drill presses. Many tasks require only small holes or light duty work. It is fun to use and sports a fancy repaint job. Craftsman screw drivers of your era had very soft blades. They wear and rapidly damage fasteners when worn. Plastic from that era was especially prone to the mange and smell. Snap-On from that era could get to stinking too. I had a slightly larger stubby blade version of the Snap-On screw driver as your restoration. It had a black triangle shaped handle. That tool was a real tool, but one day I opened the chest drawer and saw that the plastic handle had crumbled. Snap-On replaced the handle with a larger four sided orange handle. It still is a good tool, but I don't enjoy using it. The handle feels too long to me and it isn't marked with the old logo and part number. I tried to clean the mange off of the few Craftsman tool handles that I did keep into the late 80's. They didn't get your loving treatment, but the mange and stink returned very quickly. I discarded them. I was raised to prize Craftsman. In my father's experience, they were the best. Their no questions asked exchange warranty was compelling. Working professionally, that warranty was being exercised weekly. My poor man's budget didn't like double stocking tools so I could complete the workday and exchange the failed tool on the way home. ,(My home lane was directly across the street from the Sears mall store.) I had to find a better professional solution. It was painful, but I began my switch to Snap-On for that reason. I tried other professional brands, and still own many other brands, but I became very loyal to Snap-On for mechanic's tools. I find that most skilled trades have trade specific best brands. I have found owning those brands gain the best performance, durability and user enjoyment. You found your Craftsman in the bargain box. I find many of my premium tools second hand as well. Purchasing used has stretched my buying power accounting for my quality tool horde.
Thanks for watching Paul! Cleaning up old tools is fun! This free pile screwdriver was good practice for when I come across something irreplaceable that I want to save.
@@357magdad Thanks for the kind reply. I tried to temper my tool snob condescension! This is hard for a man that has preached for decades, FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS OWN CRAFTSMAN. You really did put in the extra effort. Even though you chose a brand on my hate list, I was disappointed that you didn't attempt to bring the red back as nicely as the blue. The 0000 steel wool probably lifted more red color than you had hoped. The OEM look from that era had all the lettering highlighted in white. This lettering color was the first to suffer in regular use. I suspect that the fuzzy funk removal sacrificed some of that remaining color. Attempting to restore the lettering would be a task for the purist only. You already gave this tool more honor than it ever warranted. BUT you deserve applause for your effort and dedication.
Merry Christmas! My wife has been taking French on the Duolingo, I can't help but notice that "mange" in French is "to eat." So mange, decomposition is literally eating the plastic!🫣🤣
Thats one of my favorite screwdrivers to use. Big handle and short in length. Ive never had a handle with the mange as bad as the one you did. It came out very nice. I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Looking forward to watching your channel in 2023! 👍🇺🇸
Agree! I've had one of these for several decades, and it's handy as a shirt pocket. Well worth the effort to.clean it up and put it back in service. Merry Christmas!
I like that size of Craftsman screwdriver. Not used often but nice to have when you need it. Really came out nice. I recently removed the mange on a few craftsman then sealed them in spray shellac. I'll have to wait to see if it holds up. To you and your family Have a great, blessed Christmas!🎄🎅☃🙏
I bought 3 flathead and 3 phillips head Craftsman screwdrivers of different sizes to go on the rack hanging off the side of my tool chest. Same handle style as the one in this video. I have probably around a dozen screwdrivers in that tool chest of various makes. But the Craftsman style feel so nice in the hand, they are the ones I want to grab first.
Those are my favorite type of screwdrivers! My wife has one but I am yet to find my own. 0000 steel wool, Flitz, and Plastex are used on almost all of my projects. You infected me with your wood handled screwdriver passion. I recently got 3 interesting ones at my local flea market.
Nice video! Happy new year! I hope you had a nice Christmas! I was curious to see if the mange would come back. I kept watching and you answered my question.
To get rid of the smell, try sealing it up in a tupperware box full of clean, dry, unused cat litter for a day or two. The deodoriser in that stuff is seriously potent, just pick one with a smell that you don't mind... I learned this trick whilst trying to get the mouldy smell out of silicon cookware (it worked a treat)
@@357magdad you are welcome! Thanks for the vids 🙂 To tone down the smell of the cat litter I ran the silicon thing through the dishwasher and found it took the edge off of it somewhat but it was still pretty noticeable...
Another Fine Resto There Magdad!! I almost thought you'd decided not to repaint the blue portion of that handle, after all! I must say, you fooled me pretty good there, for a little bit!! LOL!! 😊 Wishing You & All Your Family, Friends, & Loved Ones, A VERY MERRY & BLESSED CHRISTMAS! 🎄⛄🎁 & A VERY HAPPY, BLESSED, & PROSPEROUS, NEW YEAR TOO!!! 🎉🥂🎊 God Bless, & Highest & Best Regards Always!! Your Subscriber & Faithful Viewer, Ron H. Abilene, TX.
Another great job. Well done. I got a Dremel for Christmas was wondering how you store All the acessories for your Dremel? I’m trying to be more organized.
Great job I have seen a few tools with those plastic handles with that mange on them in the past and always assumed that something corrosive might have been spilled on them but I guess they can just get that way over time somehow.
Thanks! The handles are made of cellulose acetate butyrate. When exposed to excessive heat and moisture, the CAB can degrade into butyric acid, causing “the mange” and the rotten smell.
Looks great. FYI, if you ever come across a used Craftsman 1/4” flat-blade screwdriver, a fun, quick, and useful mod is to pull out the blade and press in a 1/4” hex quick release bit holder (such as HFT #64763 or similar).
Great way to spend my Christmas morning coffee time! Thanks for posting this and for a great year of videos! Hope you and all the MagDads are having a peaceful Christmas Holiday!
Great job on the screwdriver. The handle cleaned up better than new (except for the lettering, of course). That is a particularly handy size screwdriver. It is short enough to get into tight places but still big enough to do some serious work... Now, if they could just do something about that smell... I made the mistake of storing a bunch of acetate-based plastic handled tools in a closed metal tool box... Man!! when you opened the box, the smell would knock you down. Now I keep them in open bins... Merry Christmas,,,
Nice restore...that driver is a really useful configuration for someone restoring things like machines, old furniture, tools or old houses. My mom used to call stuff that looked like your mange "creeping crud". She was a fan of "B" horror movies from the 50s. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and yours!
@@357magdad I'm 60 now. Don't know what happened to them. I would like to find some nice ones that aren't beat on. I have a set of old Craftsman wrenches. You did a good job of cleaning on that screwdriver.
That turned out great. I found that cleaning the plastic handle in ammonia got rid of that vomit smell. I did a video on one a couple months ago using ammonia.
@@357magdad I always have ammonia for cleaning up shellac. What ammonia does to shellac is like magic. It turns the shellac into a milky fluid that isn't sticky. So it's what you use to clean your brushes with. It rinses right out with soap and water.
@@357magdad denatured alcohol thins shellac. For just decomposing shellac ammonia is magic. What's left ain't shellac. It's just a white slime that's water soluble. So it's the best way to clean brushes. Except for the smell. I do it outdoors. Try it out.
Great work Magdad, that was in a poor state but the price was right, well worth the effort as the tip was in such good condition, a tricky line to walk with repairing the dings but you got that just right I think. I received a set of the "Swpeet" abrasive wheels for Christmas so looking forward to trying them out soon ! Thanks for all your excellent content throughout the year, and best wishes to all in the family Magdad !
Merry Christmas to you and yours! That is my favorite Craftsman screwdriver. I will pick one up every time I see one. Thank you for your instructional videos.
The handles are made of cellulose acetate butyrate. When exposed to excessive heat and moisture, the CAB can degrade into butyric acid, causing “the mange” and the rotten smell. Some years of these are worse than others.
I bought mine new about 45 years ago in a combo set at Sears! It is about the only tool from that set that I still have. It is quite unique and useful having a full handle in a stubby design. Best for opening paint cans and other light prying tasks. Mine looks a lot better than what was start with, but not as good as the end result.
It seems like a handy size Brian.
Agreed. I got one last year and I really like it. A stubby with a full handle is very useful.
If I must use a flathead screwdriver, this is the only one that's actually somewhat of a pleasure to use.
looks like that screwdriver has opened more cans of paint than driven screws. Good work giving it a new lease on life
Thanks John! It is actually a handy size for opening cans!
Love the London pattern handle. Fits perfect can not be improved upon.
Thanks for watching!
The greatest joy I get is restoring the scales of an old pocketknife with hardwood scales from the trees in my yard and giving the knives to people I respect.
I've got a few pocket knife projects planned for 2023!
@@357magdad I replaced the scales on an old Inox steel knife. The scales were some kind of plastic, maybe Derlin. That knife was ugly when I got it, the scales had shrunk but surprisingly the springs, blades and corkscrew all had good snap.
The knife now has Cherry wood scales from MY trees. I liked working on that knife. I have an Edge-pro, so I got the blades shaper then they had been in years. Gave it to a gent I respect. The best part is he wasn't expecting a Christmas present.
I’ve never seen Chuck so excited.
Seeing the great results and how you arrive at them are very instructional. Thank you.
Thanks! Chuck loves to polish!
Magdad I love your videos. Scoutcrafter turned me to your ch and I'm glad he did
I'm glad you found my channel! I try to upload a new episode every Sunday - stay tuned!
Wow, a Christmas morning video! That was unexpected but what a treat. Thanks and have a Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas Tony!
Wow, that steel wool stuff works really well; I would never have thought to use it on plastic, thank you for the tip.
The finish that you achieve with the rotary tool and polish is next level.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Isaac! I've gotten excellent results using 0000 steel wool + Flitz + PlastX !
Quality time spent on a 5.oo screwdriver.
That's an older one as it's marked "Forged" on it. I spoke to a long-time employee at Western Forge (who made this for Sears) and he told me that they stopped hot forging screwdrivers in the mid 1990s. That one is older as I don't spot a date code on it. Western Forge was a joint venture with Sears as the partial investor. While Sears didn't "make" anything, they did invest in companies that would make products for them. Roper, Whirlpool and Western Forge are three examples of that. Money was often provided to these companies to start things up or allow them to expand to keep up with the Sears orders and production.
Thanks for watching and thanks for the info!
I have 2 full sets of craftsman Western Forge made screw drivers made in the 90s as well as lots I bought separate .The kits came with the 6 torx tip drivers and 4 way pocket driver . 1 kit is all accounted for in my main tool box and one kit is spread thought mixed in with my other kits or stashed where needed . I told my kids when I go unfortunately they won’t find any $ hidden or stashed but only tons of screwdrivers and flashlights 🤷🏼.
@@SHAWN220 Good investment. Tools made well last a lifetime.
@@googleusergpWhirlpool makes Roper as well as many other Brands
Bought one in 1966. Used for adjusting the valve lash on engines.
It is a handy size screwdriver. I think they still make it today.
I found your channel when I was just starting to restore old pocketknives. I think our philosophies differ but our love of the old craftmanship is the same.
Cleaning up old tools and pocket knives is fun!
Nice job and satisfying to watch but I would have left the new blue paint off. I just like the look of a well cared for, yet well used, tool. So does my girlfriend.
Thanks for watching Jeff!
What a great job on a Great short bladed screwdriver. One of the more valuable screwdrivers I a surprised it was in a FREE pile! Awesome stuff, thanks!
Thanks ScoutCrafter! I was happy to find it!
I just washed 25 mange coated Craftsman screwdrivers in the dishwasher when my wife wasn’t looking. It completely removed the thick layer of white chemical decomposition from all the screwdrivers. This technique is super fast and easy.
Check out my latest "mange" video:
th-cam.com/video/-GXTsXRyNjc/w-d-xo.html
Looks great. Think I'll try restoring some tools. I do vintage pocket knives.
Cleaning up old tools is fun! Check out my pocket knife playlist!
th-cam.com/play/PL2LUCgmdqpXOJ085tzQW-pBKJVOd67-UR.html
Incredible transformation! It’s unbelievable that it came out so clear. Whenever I have tried to restore one with that kind of handle it ended up being scuffed up, but now I realize it was because I used too high of a grit and didn’t polish it. Incidentally, I got G5 epoxy from West Systems, a 2 part epoxy and am surprised how clear it dries when it cures. I bet you could add blobs of it to areas that have big dings in it and then later reshape and polish it up. I will try it one day. The epoxy is very useful and is 5 minute.
The epoxy trick sounds like an idea worth trying!
I didn't see your comment first, I just posted the same tip to magdad 🙂 It can also work well with superglue, if you build up slowly and don't use activator. It's particularly good on wood (especially if you're applying a clear finish on top). Divots basically vanish in a way they don't if you use any sort of opaque filler.
Nice work. Never heard the word 'mange' to describe the deterioration on plastic handles, but it works. I have a few old drivers with 'mange', but find they stay clean just through use.
Thanks for watching!
Your screwdriver turned out perfect thank you for the video
Thanks!
Wow, what a difference, I've seen screwdrivers that had that mange look before. U did a amazing job on that screwdriver.
Thanks Jeffrey!
I've cleaned the deteriorated plastic and after a while it just seems to come back. I've yet to discover a permanent fix for it. As the plastic breaks down it releases acid. What's weird is it only happens to some handles.
Wow - I never expected that screwdriver to turn out so well! I believe that type of Craftsman handle is one of the best ever designed. Merry Christmas everybody!
Thanks Rick! That handle is an iconic design.
@@357magdad But that smell! I thought it was just me! 😆
Absolutely.
Menards house brand uses the same flavor handle. They are imported but I really like them. Reminds me of the craftsmans.
Craftsman screwdrivers with that handle are my favorite. I've never found any that I like better.
You always find great tools to restore,and your methods work really well. Thanks for the tips; hope you find the secret for removing the residual smell on these fungus covered screw-drivers.
Great to come home to two videos from you, thanks so much 👍👍
Man what a transformation on the handle 👏 I gotta try 0000 first next time I get my hands on a screwdriver with a handle like this, the steel wool alone did so much!
One thing I wanted to suggest to do about divots like there were here on the domed end, in case you might like to try in future. If you can get the divots clean try filling with successive layers of superglue. You can do it in one shot with epoxy, but that can sometimes have enough of a yellow tinge that you'd see it on a clear plastic handle. Once the glue is filed/sanded flush and then finely sanded some repairs I've done this way (to wood mainly, but also plastic) have become invisible, others you can just barely make out a tide mark around the perimeter but the edge tends to be faint enough you wouldn't spot it at arm's length if you didn't know to look.
Thanks for the superglue tip!
Love the vintage Craftsman look :-). Well done sir
Thanks! It is an iconic handle design.
Great job on a great Craftsman USA stubby. Looks brand new now! Before the end of the video I was hoping you would say that the terrible smell was gone. I have quite a few of this type acetate screwdrivers that still work great.....just don't get them too close to your nose!
The smell never really goes away...
I hve that same driver, one of the best, i use it all the time....bought in 1979 at the recommendation of my VoTech teacher!
Mine also has the same white film, no idea what its from...just from age.
The handles are made of cellulose acetate butyrate. When exposed to excessive heat and moisture, the CAB can degrade into butyric acid, causing “the mange” and the rotten smell.
I have a lot of vintage Craftsman screwdrivers, and there was a certain vintage that all got that same white garbage on the acetate. Thanks for the pointers on removing it!
Thanks Bill! I bet they had a flawed formula for a while.
It happens to a lot of acetate handle tools. The worst one I have is a Vaco. It's really going to pot. Supposedly Snap-On had a huge problem too. Their handles split. I'm not sure if the SO tools were even acetate though?
That really came out great! I do like wood handles better in general, but that plastic handle really came out great!
Thanks Chris!
Beautiful job, especially the blue. No known cure for the plastic handle mange. The WF is for Western Forge, the maker.
Thanks Thomas! I try to grab every Western Forge Craftsman I see at the yard sales!
Great job and tips! I’m going to restore the first screwdriver I ever bought. Thanks!
Thanks for watching! I'd love to see some photos of your project! 357mdad@gmail.com
Nice save, I hope it’s not deteriorating like some of snap-ons. Snap on replaced 5 handles for me. The handles actually crumbled. You do very nice restorations. Thank You
Thanks! This is why I am a fan of wood handle tools!
I think I'm gonna start restoring smaller tools. These larger ones are testing my patience at every turn. It's beautiful!!
Thanks! I've got limited space and budget, so I typically work an smaller projects.
Astonishing results. I have a few that are getting the craftsman mange. Going to have to see if I can clean them up like you did to this one.
Give it a try! The 0000 steel wool + Flitz does a nice job! The PlastX really brings out the translucence.
Thank you for this video.. I'm currently enjoying watching it..
I'm glad you are enjoying the video Brian!
Looks great! I like the In the Heatish of the Nightish style music in the background!
Thanks Bill! Mrs Magdad and I enjoy picking out the music!
@@357magdad it was perfect! Great choice!
i used to take those back to sears and they would replace them. never thought about the polish. nice restoration
Thanks for watching! Cleaning up old tools is fun!
You have dedication. Your restoration materials exceeded the cost of that screwdriver when it was new. You got a good result. But you only have a marginal tool now that it is done. I wouldn't have made the effort!
I have 30+ tool chests full of hand tools. I got so frustrated with Craftsman poor quality that I did an almost 100% purge of my Craftsman branded tools in the lathe 70's. About a dozen or two survived the purge. I kept a micrometer, a 1942 drill press, a metal lathe made by Atlas, a ball pien hammer, some specialty wrenches, and a few sockets. I invested time in saving the drill press. That model production lasted only 6 months. WW2 war production killed that product. I reluctantly admit that I really like that drill press. It is far from my best, but it is a nice option for small part work. It is a mid range size of my 5 drill presses. Many tasks require only small holes or light duty work. It is fun to use and sports a fancy repaint job.
Craftsman screw drivers of your era had very soft blades. They wear and rapidly damage fasteners when worn. Plastic from that era was especially prone to the mange and smell. Snap-On from that era could get to stinking too. I had a slightly larger stubby blade version of the Snap-On screw driver as your restoration. It had a black triangle shaped handle. That tool was a real tool, but one day I opened the chest drawer and saw that the plastic handle had crumbled. Snap-On replaced the handle with a larger four sided orange handle. It still is a good tool, but I don't enjoy using it. The handle feels too long to me and it isn't marked with the old logo and part number.
I tried to clean the mange off of the few Craftsman tool handles that I did keep into the late 80's. They didn't get your loving treatment, but the mange and stink returned very quickly. I discarded them.
I was raised to prize Craftsman. In my father's experience, they were the best. Their no questions asked exchange warranty was compelling. Working professionally, that warranty was being exercised weekly. My poor man's budget didn't like double stocking tools so I could complete the workday and exchange the failed tool on the way home. ,(My home lane was directly across the street from the Sears mall store.) I had to find a better professional solution. It was painful, but I began my switch to Snap-On for that reason. I tried other professional brands, and still own many other brands, but I became very loyal to Snap-On for mechanic's tools. I find that most skilled trades have trade specific best brands. I have found owning those brands gain the best performance, durability and user enjoyment.
You found your Craftsman in the bargain box. I find many of my premium tools second hand as well. Purchasing used has stretched my buying power accounting for my quality tool horde.
Thanks for watching Paul! Cleaning up old tools is fun! This free pile screwdriver was good practice for when I come across something irreplaceable that I want to save.
@@357magdad Thanks for the kind reply. I tried to temper my tool snob condescension! This is hard for a man that has preached for decades, FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS OWN CRAFTSMAN. You really did put in the extra effort. Even though you chose a brand on my hate list, I was disappointed that you didn't attempt to bring the red back as nicely as the blue. The 0000 steel wool probably lifted more red color than you had hoped. The OEM look from that era had all the lettering highlighted in white. This lettering color was the first to suffer in regular use. I suspect that the fuzzy funk removal sacrificed some of that remaining color. Attempting to restore the lettering would be a task for the purist only. You already gave this tool more honor than it ever warranted. BUT you deserve applause for your effort and dedication.
Merry Christmas! My wife has been taking French on the Duolingo, I can't help but notice that "mange" in French is "to eat." So mange, decomposition is literally eating the plastic!🫣🤣
Merry Christmas! Mrs Magdad is studying Spanish on Duolingo!
Thats one of my favorite screwdrivers to use. Big handle and short in length. Ive never had a handle with the mange as bad as the one you did. It came out very nice. I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Looking forward to watching your channel in 2023! 👍🇺🇸
Agree! I've had one of these for several decades, and it's handy as a shirt pocket. Well worth the effort to.clean it up and put it back in service. Merry Christmas!
Thanks Roger! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Larry!
Nice Job 👍 Magdad ! Merry Christmas to You and Mrs. Magdad and Magdaughter and Chuck !
Thanks! Merry Christmas Wayne!
I like that size of Craftsman screwdriver. Not used often but nice to have when you need it. Really came out nice. I recently removed the mange on a few craftsman then sealed them in spray shellac. I'll have to wait to see if it holds up. To you and your family Have a great, blessed Christmas!🎄🎅☃🙏
Thanks Mike! Merry Christmas!
Although a lacquer might work equally well shellac is supposed to be king at sealing off that smell.
Unbelievable outcome. Really good job!
Thanks!
Can’t beat free LOL! Looks pretty good. Hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! 🎉
Thanks! I'm working on another free pile find right now! Happy New Year!
This video reminds me that it's time for my annual tool cleaning.
Thanks for watching! Cleaning up old tools is fun!
Man, that Flitz is pricey stuff! I guess it works. 😮
Use coupon code CHUCK and save 20% on your www.flitz.com order!
Super job...looks brand new...
Didn't think it had a prayer but there it is ...🖖
Thanks Chuck!
I bought 3 flathead and 3 phillips head Craftsman screwdrivers of different sizes to go on the rack hanging off the side of my tool chest. Same handle style as the one in this video. I have probably around a dozen screwdrivers in that tool chest of various makes. But the Craftsman style feel so nice in the hand, they are the ones I want to grab first.
Thanks for watching Jake! That handle is an iconic design!
Those are my favorite type of screwdrivers! My wife has one but I am yet to find my own. 0000 steel wool, Flitz, and Plastex are used on almost all of my projects. You infected me with your wood handled screwdriver passion. I recently got 3 interesting ones at my local flea market.
I'm glad I got you into wood handle screwdrivers!
Wow Magdad that screwdriver has so much Christmas Shine now. The extra fine steel wool and flitz hit your project out of the park!
Thanks Stephen!
Merry Christmas to you and Chuck, as well as Mrs. Magdad and Magdaughter!
Thanks! Merry Christmas!
Great job, sir.✌🏻
Thanks!
Beautiful!
Thanks!
Nice video! Happy new year! I hope you had a nice Christmas! I was curious to see if the mange would come back. I kept watching and you answered my question.
Happy New Year Robert!
Glad too see the results of the Plastx, I just bought some recently. It looks good. Brand new beginning.
I've had good results with the PlastX!
It’s looking nice
Thanks Robert!
It reminds me of the one that was stinking up my tool box Nice to have the small rotary tools for polishing and and for working on small stuff🎄🎄🎄🎄
I found that cordless Dremel in the free pile!
Well done King, your the man,that screwdriver is awesome!
Thanks!
Nice resto, quickly earned my subscription!
Thanks for subscribing! I hope you enjoy my content!
Nice one Magdad👍👍👍
Thanks!
Interesting. Not crazy about the heavy blue paint, but a good job.
Thanks for watching Jeff!
To get rid of the smell, try sealing it up in a tupperware box full of clean, dry, unused cat litter for a day or two.
The deodoriser in that stuff is seriously potent, just pick one with a smell that you don't mind...
I learned this trick whilst trying to get the mouldy smell out of silicon cookware (it worked a treat)
Thanks! I'll have to give it a try!
@@357magdad you are welcome!
Thanks for the vids 🙂
To tone down the smell of the cat litter I ran the silicon thing through the dishwasher and found it took the edge off of it somewhat but it was still pretty noticeable...
Merry Christmas Magdad. Thanks for all the great tips and videos!🎄
Merry Christmas Frank!
Another great restoration. Pretty impressive how the handle turned out. Merry Christmas to you and your family. And Chuck. 😀🎄
Thanks! Merry Christmas Robert!
Nice work on the plastic Craftsman handle. I've been following what you because I have a number of cloudy driver tools.
Thanks Michael!
Another Fine Resto There Magdad!!
I almost thought you'd decided not to repaint the blue portion of that handle, after all! I must say, you fooled me pretty good there, for a little bit!! LOL!! 😊
Wishing You & All Your Family, Friends, & Loved Ones,
A VERY MERRY & BLESSED CHRISTMAS! 🎄⛄🎁 &
A VERY HAPPY, BLESSED, & PROSPEROUS, NEW YEAR TOO!!!
🎉🥂🎊
God Bless, & Highest & Best Regards Always!!
Your Subscriber & Faithful Viewer,
Ron H.
Abilene, TX.
Thanks Ron! Merry Christmas!
Another great job. Well done. I got a Dremel for Christmas was wondering how you store All the acessories for your Dremel? I’m trying to be more organized.
You're gonna love your new Dremel! Check out my rotary tool tips and tricks video:
th-cam.com/video/FEx3QtiM5-0/w-d-xo.html
A Magdad video…an excellent gift this beautiful Christmas morning.
Merry Christmas!
You did a great Job God Bless my friend!
Thanks!
That screw driver came out excellent! Merry Christmas!
Thanks! Merry Christmas!
Great job I have seen a few tools with those plastic handles with that mange on them in the past and always assumed that something corrosive might have been spilled on them but I guess they can just get that way over time somehow.
Thanks! The handles are made of cellulose acetate butyrate. When exposed to excessive heat and moisture, the CAB can degrade into butyric acid, causing “the mange” and the rotten smell.
@@357magdad oh 👍 thanks that’s why they have that smell now I understand 👍
Looks great. FYI, if you ever come across a used Craftsman 1/4” flat-blade screwdriver, a fun, quick, and useful mod is to pull out the blade and press in a 1/4” hex quick release bit holder (such as HFT #64763 or similar).
Sounds like a great Mod!
Great way to spend my Christmas morning coffee time! Thanks for posting this and for a great year of videos! Hope you and all the MagDads are having a peaceful Christmas Holiday!
Thanks John! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Bud!! Nice job!! I wonder what "Super Clean" would have done with that Mange!!☻
Merry Christmas RoadKing!
Great tip about the black in the blue ... I think it matches the factory color bedder
The blue was just too blue by itself.
Great job on the screwdriver. The handle cleaned up better than new (except for the lettering, of course). That is a particularly handy size screwdriver. It is short enough to get into tight places but still big enough to do some serious work... Now, if they could just do something about that smell... I made the mistake of storing a bunch of acetate-based plastic handled tools in a closed metal tool box... Man!! when you opened the box, the smell would knock you down. Now I keep them in open bins... Merry Christmas,,,
Thanks Edward! Merry Christmas!
Even new sometimes the lettering wasn't 100%
That was beautiful work! Great job!
Thanks!
Nice restore...that driver is a really useful configuration for someone restoring things like machines, old furniture, tools or old houses. My mom used to call stuff that looked like your mange "creeping crud". She was a fan of "B" horror movies from the 50s. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and yours!
"Attack of the Creeping Crud" I love it! Merry Christmas Ralphie!
I got a whole set of these for Christmas in the late sixties.
My dad had a full set from about that time.
@@357magdad I'm 60 now. Don't know what happened to them. I would like to find some nice ones that aren't beat on. I have a set of old Craftsman wrenches.
You did a good job of cleaning on that screwdriver.
Lovely job. Hope you are having a Merry Christmas. My best to you, Mrs Magdad, Magdaughter and the entire Mag fam.
Thanks Ben! Merry Christmas!
Coolness!! I have a couple set aside waiting to see what you do with these; now I have some instruction on what to do on mine!! Coolness!!
Thanks Rob! I bet yours will turn out great!
Great restoration. I love Craftsman Acetate handled screwdrivers (they smell). My favorite screwdrivers are of course wooden handled.
Thanks Jess! Wood handle tools are my favorite too!
That turned out great. I found that cleaning the plastic handle in ammonia got rid of that vomit smell. I did a video on one a couple months ago using ammonia.
I forgot about trying your ammonia trick! I'll have to get some for the next "mange" project!
@@357magdad I always have ammonia for cleaning up shellac. What ammonia does to shellac is like magic. It turns the shellac into a milky fluid that isn't sticky. So it's what you use to clean your brushes with. It rinses right out with soap and water.
@@1pcfred I use denatured alcohol to clean up shellac.
@@357magdad denatured alcohol thins shellac. For just decomposing shellac ammonia is magic. What's left ain't shellac. It's just a white slime that's water soluble. So it's the best way to clean brushes. Except for the smell. I do it outdoors. Try it out.
Close to looking like a new one, great job .
Thanks Larry!
Hard to believe how much better that mangy old screwdriver got. Well done Magdad! Merry Christmas!
Thanks David! Merry Christmas!
It's a nice screw driver.ive seen em before I like short stub screw driver
More power.....
The full size handle is nice!
Great work Magdad, that was in a poor state but the price was right, well worth the effort as the tip was in such good condition, a tricky line to walk with repairing the dings but you got that just right I think.
I received a set of the "Swpeet" abrasive wheels for Christmas so looking forward to trying them out soon !
Thanks for all your excellent content throughout the year, and best wishes to all in the family Magdad !
Thanks Andy! I hope you have success with those abrasive wheels!
Merry Christmas to you and family. Thanks for sharing with us your Christmas time.
Thanks Bill! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!! Screwdriver turned very nice.
Thanks Alan! Merry Christmas!
Nice, Magdad. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Sue!
Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New year
Merry Christmas and happy New Year James!
I have one of those. I have had it since new, well over 40 yrs now. 😊😊😊😊😊
I can see how it would be a handy tool!
Great job I have a few Stanleys I have to work on.
I bet they will clean up nice!
You did a great job on the Craftsman Magdad!
Thank You for sharing!
I hope You and your family have a Merry Christmas
Thanks Jack! Merry Christmas!
Very nice
Thank you!
Love plastix! Restores old taillights.
I used it on my headlights!
I think its just translucence. It looks great! Thanks for another great video! Merry Christmas 🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and yours! That is my favorite Craftsman screwdriver. I will pick one up every time I see one. Thank you for your instructional videos.
Thanks James! Merry Christmas!
Nice work, Merry Christmas to you and the whole 357 MAG bunch!
Thanks Al! Merry Christmas!
Nice clean up! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Vic!
Merry Christmas. I hope you have a good time with your family and next year you can continue doing what you like.
Merry Christmas! I was nice to be able to get together with family this year.
Thanks for the Xmas present. Nice work as always.
Merry Christmas!
Looks like skydrol got to it. I have same tool for 30 years.
The handles are made of cellulose acetate butyrate. When exposed to excessive heat and moisture, the CAB can degrade into butyric acid, causing “the mange” and the rotten smell. Some years of these are worse than others.