On Wed, 26 Jun 2013 06:27:33 +0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Jun 2013 22:39:27 -0700, franklin.macintosh wrote:

the more recent ones I've bought exude the oil/plastic smell

My DeWalt portable drill always smells like ozone, the moment I use it.

Ozone is generated by motor brushes, maybe especially when there is
sparking between the brushes and the commutator. My Lionel train
smelled of ozone. I miss the smell.

Almost no consumer fans have brushes. (I'm not saying other fans
do.)

Dunno why ... but I'll lurk on this thread to find out what
causes that particular odor ...