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Thread: Musty box smell

  1. #1
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    Default Musty box smell

    I bought a starrett 196B indicator a few months back. The indicator is fine and looks like it will be very handy. Unfortunately the box has that musty smell that is not all that pleasant. It got banged around in the post a bit so it's no great loss to replace it (time being the only factor) if I can't clear the smell, but has anyone got any ideas on how I might make it less odourous?

    Michael
    Last edited by Michael G; 24th Dec 2011 at 11:47 AM. Reason: error

  2. #2
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    Carb soda was the old remedy for smells. Probably 137 space-age anti-pong products now - that all contain carb soda. (Oops, I think the space age is over.)

  3. #3
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    Bryan you crack me up.

    You could seal it up with a wash coat of shellac...that seems to work for me.

    Having said that I am thinking of rubbishing all my metrology boxes in favour of dedicated drawers in a home made chest.

    Greg
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  4. #4
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    You neglect to say if its new or old box.

    If new I'd be taking it back and asking why??? Is such equipment being put into wet/green wood??

    If its old then storage may have been the problem look for mould, wood rot, even signs of rat phiss (seriously its deadly). Sit it out in the sun to remove normal mould damp etc the last one toss it.

  5. #5
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    You could try Fabreeze to get rid of the smell. Meant for fabrics, but might work on wood. ! You can also get odouless animal smaell remover stuff from vetsThey charge like they usually do for it though! Fabreeze only smells girly till it dries. :
    anne-maria.
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    ea Lady

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  6. #6
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by matthew_g View Post
    I just had to read this post..I was busting to see who had a smelly box
    LOL,
    I agree with above about checking it over and putting it out in the sun.
    I have never tried Carb soda, but I have never had a smelly box either.

    Dave

  7. #7
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    I am trying to either ignore this thread or make some pithy comment. What to do? The years are too long and the memory too feeble to offer expert advice.
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

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    Default

    Ignoring it might be better.

  9. #9
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    Apparently so....

    Apologies, and Season's greetings
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  10. #10
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    Default While the family is still asleep...

    Thanks to those who made (sensible) comments. I'll try the sun first and see if that helps. The box is certainly old, so no green wood to worry about -

    Attachment 192294

    The indicator itself is interesting. It's a back indicating dial gauge. Guy Lautard recommended this type of indicator for checking mill tram. I haven't made up an adaptor for it yet, but the photo shows it set up for truing up a bore to the lathe axis. It was much easier to do than use a DTI, probably because it had greater range and could be positioned more conveniently

    Attachment 192295

    A new box should not be a problem. This was yesterday's job - the micrometer did not have a suitable box, so I made up this one from scraps.

    Attachment 192296

    Michael

  11. #11
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    Michael, that box looks like it has a lot of old oil everywhere. The organisms that make that musty odour live in those stains. (Old sewing machines stink up their cases for the same reason. I think you'd need to do something aggressive to clean the interior as a first step.

    Greg
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  12. #12
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    Just a thought but you aren't smelling neatsfoot oil are you?

    Phil

  13. #13
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    Nice box work Michael. Just for giggles, here's the latest horror I received from the Orient. They must be running out of wood.

    Greg please don't bin your boxes. I've got a few things that need homes.

  14. #14
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    Gees Bryan
    That looks like the ones I make...'cept maybe not that good.

    Phil

  15. #15
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    Nilodor (a really tiny bottle in the laundry aisle at Coles) is very good at removing the lingering residue of all sorts of smells. This is a tip gained from an embalmer, in a conversation about 'bucket jobs'...

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