Dr_Pain
Certified Finest Installer
I've seen the subject of work stools being tossed around quite a bit lately , and read many opinions and preferences. Obviously I do have some of mine as well. It does seem that the same opinions are tossed around, but no real breakdown comparison is being offered. I would like to take this opportunity to present the subject and interject my opinions in the matter, and would like to present my argument discussing the:
1) Ergonomics
2) Cost
3) Construction
4) and Function
Being a physical therapist by profession I do support heavily the "proper ergonomics" argument, but if you were to ask my "complete" opinion on the subject this post would be a lecture that could get quite hairy. Trust me this review does not need to be that complication since we are all looking for the same thing, that is a cheap, safe and functional tool which we can abused day in day out, and replaced economically (if need be). I've evaluated several seats over the years, from the cheapo Harbor Freight option to the most expensive Kreepstool, and came to an honest conclusion on the subject. Here is what I have tried so far
1) Standard creeper seat (I believe it was from Sears for around $25)
2) An adjustable pneumatic creeper seat (from Harbor Freight for about $25)
3) An adjustable Traxion (purchased online $125)
4) Kreepstool (borrowed valued at $180)
**One I wanted to try before writing this review was the Racatac but at $225, I did not see the value of the investment despite the ergonomics
Without dragging this review let me give you my winner and personal recommendation, that is the Northern Tools "Big Red" seat (made my Torin), which can be purchase for $50 (less if you use the discount coupon). But WHY?? In evaluating all of those seats I evaluated them for cost, function and ergonomics, and I feel the Torin "Big Red" was the best without breaking the bank.
Here is a side by side of 3 creeper seats I have in my shop (two of which are destined for the landfill)
So what makes it a winner??
Construction:
If I was to expand on the list above this is what I would say about it: It is made of chrome plated steel which will tolerate the constant environmental exposure, regardless if it is sprayed down by accident, or doused in chemicals. A plastic tray insert is provided for tool storage, which won't corrode if water is allowed to sit for days or if you have an inadvertent product spill. The same can't be said about the HF cheapo seat. Unlike some of the more economical seats, this seat uses Allen head bolts which is much better than the cheap nuts which tend to back out with use. Unlike most seats, this particular creeper is set on 3" wheels which are much more functional then the standard 2" which are only rated to 250 lbs. To be honest, the bottle holder is a nice added bonus (and useful) but extremely flimsy. The rest of the seat on the other hand is SOLID. For those questioning the fact that I am not considering an adjustable height seat, let me be honest and say that I NEVER use that function (and neither does most people I spoke to). A backrest would be good, but how many times do we opt to sit in our creeper and lean back on the back rest??? In terms of function the Big Red seat rolls with great ease. It is not as easy as the Traxion to roll over extension cords, but it is definitely better than the five wheel HF cheapo (which every caster tends to go in their own directions <--- what a pain)
At $50 it is almost 2x what I would pay for the HF cheapo, but its value is self evident in the fact that I normally have to replace a seat/year (because the wheel bearings fall apart or gets chewed up so bad). At 6'6" and 235lbs I am close to the max for the cheapos, whereas the Big Red is rated to 400lbs.
As you can see from the pictures included there is no real comparison in the quality. You can also see the quality of the wheels
From the picture you can see there is a slight difference in height between all of them (less than 1"). While detailing, the lower you get the less bending at the waist you have to do, however there comes a point when the position of "knee to chest" (from sitting so low) becomes functionally hindering.
My rear is definitely appreciative of the extra width of the seat but not as much as with the extra padding
Do I have anything bad to say about the seat? Surprisingly I don't. I like its heavy construction, 3" sealed bearing caster (rated for heavy loads); I like the wide, well-padded seat and height. I like the fact that it has a plastic tray and that it is chrome plated for durability. Although the bottle/cup holder is pretty flimsy, it is usable and functional .
So why would I even consider purchasing a Kreepstool for 4x the price, or a Racatac for 5x the price? Well, I would not!!!! The Kreepstool sits too high to do most wheel well and wheel work. It does have a decent amount of storage, but I have a habit of never storing much stuff in my creeper seat because it will invariable get sprayed as I go around the car with the power washer. The seat back is ergonomically preferred (under perfect conditions) but would only be used in very select seated position (for resting). Polishing a panel sitting in the Kreepstool still requires you to lean forward to put the machine on paint and to apply down pressure so the backrest becomes a non-issue.
When selecting a creeper seat, you have to consider its realistic applications, and to be honest I do not see the cost/benefit value of any seat above $50 as they WILL get abused and will need to be replaced. Conversely, you get what you pay for. To decide on a $25 stool from HF which is not rated for normal oversized people makes no sense either. Best to spend a little more and get something you won't have to replace yearly.
Hope you enjoyed my review. Here is a glamor shot of the stool in action over the weekend. Note the CarPro red masking tape which I will review, and the PF2500 (my preferred compound) sitting nicely in the cup holder.
1) Ergonomics
2) Cost
3) Construction
4) and Function
Being a physical therapist by profession I do support heavily the "proper ergonomics" argument, but if you were to ask my "complete" opinion on the subject this post would be a lecture that could get quite hairy. Trust me this review does not need to be that complication since we are all looking for the same thing, that is a cheap, safe and functional tool which we can abused day in day out, and replaced economically (if need be). I've evaluated several seats over the years, from the cheapo Harbor Freight option to the most expensive Kreepstool, and came to an honest conclusion on the subject. Here is what I have tried so far
1) Standard creeper seat (I believe it was from Sears for around $25)
2) An adjustable pneumatic creeper seat (from Harbor Freight for about $25)
3) An adjustable Traxion (purchased online $125)
4) Kreepstool (borrowed valued at $180)
**One I wanted to try before writing this review was the Racatac but at $225, I did not see the value of the investment despite the ergonomics
Without dragging this review let me give you my winner and personal recommendation, that is the Northern Tools "Big Red" seat (made my Torin), which can be purchase for $50 (less if you use the discount coupon). But WHY?? In evaluating all of those seats I evaluated them for cost, function and ergonomics, and I feel the Torin "Big Red" was the best without breaking the bank.
Here is a side by side of 3 creeper seats I have in my shop (two of which are destined for the landfill)
So what makes it a winner??
Construction:
- Chrome plated heavy gauge steel square tubing
- Plastic tray insert
- Allen head flush bolts with lock washer
- Sealed bearing 3 INCH wheels
- Wide padded seat
- Bottle holder/cupholder
- Max weight capacity is 400lbs
If I was to expand on the list above this is what I would say about it: It is made of chrome plated steel which will tolerate the constant environmental exposure, regardless if it is sprayed down by accident, or doused in chemicals. A plastic tray insert is provided for tool storage, which won't corrode if water is allowed to sit for days or if you have an inadvertent product spill. The same can't be said about the HF cheapo seat. Unlike some of the more economical seats, this seat uses Allen head bolts which is much better than the cheap nuts which tend to back out with use. Unlike most seats, this particular creeper is set on 3" wheels which are much more functional then the standard 2" which are only rated to 250 lbs. To be honest, the bottle holder is a nice added bonus (and useful) but extremely flimsy. The rest of the seat on the other hand is SOLID. For those questioning the fact that I am not considering an adjustable height seat, let me be honest and say that I NEVER use that function (and neither does most people I spoke to). A backrest would be good, but how many times do we opt to sit in our creeper and lean back on the back rest??? In terms of function the Big Red seat rolls with great ease. It is not as easy as the Traxion to roll over extension cords, but it is definitely better than the five wheel HF cheapo (which every caster tends to go in their own directions <--- what a pain)
At $50 it is almost 2x what I would pay for the HF cheapo, but its value is self evident in the fact that I normally have to replace a seat/year (because the wheel bearings fall apart or gets chewed up so bad). At 6'6" and 235lbs I am close to the max for the cheapos, whereas the Big Red is rated to 400lbs.
As you can see from the pictures included there is no real comparison in the quality. You can also see the quality of the wheels
From the picture you can see there is a slight difference in height between all of them (less than 1"). While detailing, the lower you get the less bending at the waist you have to do, however there comes a point when the position of "knee to chest" (from sitting so low) becomes functionally hindering.
My rear is definitely appreciative of the extra width of the seat but not as much as with the extra padding
Do I have anything bad to say about the seat? Surprisingly I don't. I like its heavy construction, 3" sealed bearing caster (rated for heavy loads); I like the wide, well-padded seat and height. I like the fact that it has a plastic tray and that it is chrome plated for durability. Although the bottle/cup holder is pretty flimsy, it is usable and functional .
So why would I even consider purchasing a Kreepstool for 4x the price, or a Racatac for 5x the price? Well, I would not!!!! The Kreepstool sits too high to do most wheel well and wheel work. It does have a decent amount of storage, but I have a habit of never storing much stuff in my creeper seat because it will invariable get sprayed as I go around the car with the power washer. The seat back is ergonomically preferred (under perfect conditions) but would only be used in very select seated position (for resting). Polishing a panel sitting in the Kreepstool still requires you to lean forward to put the machine on paint and to apply down pressure so the backrest becomes a non-issue.
When selecting a creeper seat, you have to consider its realistic applications, and to be honest I do not see the cost/benefit value of any seat above $50 as they WILL get abused and will need to be replaced. Conversely, you get what you pay for. To decide on a $25 stool from HF which is not rated for normal oversized people makes no sense either. Best to spend a little more and get something you won't have to replace yearly.
Hope you enjoyed my review. Here is a glamor shot of the stool in action over the weekend. Note the CarPro red masking tape which I will review, and the PF2500 (my preferred compound) sitting nicely in the cup holder.
