Weird Smell in Shop

[Fuddyduddy1952]

You might have phantosmia, a condition where you smell things that aren't there. I'm pretty sure I have it because I often smell smoke that isn't there.

Could it be mildew from a roof or wall leak? Maybe something in storage like a paint can that has rusted through and is leaking.

Thanks for "phantosmia" which I'll now say to the wife when I expell gas in the car.

 

[Runner]

Thanks for "phantosmia" which I'll now say to the wife when I expell gas in the car.

Actually, that works because one of the things that is typically smelled by people having phantosmia (besides smoke) is poop.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

If it makes a sound I'll say "Ah-ha! Auditory hallucinations and phantosmia".

 

[Engineer42]

If it makes a sound I'll say "Ah-ha! Auditory hallucinations and phantosmia".

Might as well add misophonia to the list.

 

[etpm]

Maybe it's synesthesia and he is perceiving some faint sound as a smell. As long as we are discussing "ia" conditions and all that.
Eric

 

[bcp]

Assistant teacher arrested for allegedly stinking up his school with fart spray

A 32-year-old South Carolina assistant teacher has been arrested on charges he spraying his school with a substance that smells like poop.

abcnews.go.com

Someone playing a joke on you?

Bruce

 

[grsthegreat]

1). When I first started smelling it I thought it was me. But it was only in that one area.
2). That is kind of my best guess of what it is. But it never had AWFUL death smell. Just that beef stew/BO smell.

I was thinking it could be like a mouse nest or something. BUt I have never heard or seen a mouse in my shop. Do mouse nests smell like body odor?

If your beef stew smells like BO…. I dont want your recipe

 

[grsthegreat]

Obviously never had by aunt's beef stew!
A black snake was in a closet a few years ago. It had a metallic odor like copper.
Do you have a pet dog or borrow one to help locate it?

You sure that snake wasnt a copperhead

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

You sure that snake wasnt a copperhead

Only if it was Al Jolson reincarnated.

 

[Runner]

Just thought of another possibility. The plastic on tools really stinks, especially the ones from China. Also, any rubber parts like tires on lawn spreaders, etc. Every time I walk past my toolbox, I can smell the Harbor Freight stuff in there and it smells just as the OP describes.