Rolling Mechanic/Garage Chair?

[Jbear]

Hey All,
I have been using a small folding stool to sit on when I do stuff low to the ground on the vehicle (and some other work). It has worked, but I am ready for something more versatile and sturdy. There are a ton of rolling chairs out there. Some look pretty good, and some look like hot garbage. I'm just looking for the opinions from AI...actual intelligence rather than the usual AI-BS.
Not looking to spend 300-500 on a Vyper or anything like that. Just a simple Vevor/DNA/Traxion level stool. Storage options are looking like a decent thing to have. Five wheels seems more stable, and a couple of wheel brakes wouldn't hurt (although I could change the wheels). I do not understand the wire rack storage thing though. What am I missing with that?
Last thing...do you like a bit of a back to the seat, or do you prefer just a round seat (unless or course you like the box looking ones that don't adjust height)?
Anyway...got a fav...I'd love to hear about it!
Thanks all!

 

[Bunsen Honeydew]

No storage tray, but I used a pedicure chair. Height adjustable, padded, with low back. $80 - 100 on Amazon. I did replace the casters with better ones.

 

[Jbear]

Appreciate that. I'm pretty sure I'd like some degree of storage.

 

[Jagmandave]

I don't see the storage need, mine has a tray to put stuff in under the seat but I can't really reach it when sitting on the seat - which I did change - I put an inexpensive lawn mower seat with a low back on it, helps when scooting it around and offers a little support. Def more comfy than the rectangular block of foam that passed for a seat. Mine came from HF originally, 30 years ago. Still going strong.

This one, but with the mower seat where the flat one was.... https://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-roller-seat-3338.html

The seat is probably 25 years old, hence the cracks in the vinyl.....

 

[Jbear]

I'm gonna try the Vevor version of the Traxion. Got a coupon which makes it $84. I'll let you know my thoughts.
Thanks again!

 

[RTM]

I bought two HF rolling stools at GS in the last year, $5 each. One is a fixed height rectangular stool with storage underneath, maybe 12-15" high. The other is round 5 wheel adjustable height, maybe 15-20", no storage space via a circular tray .

Both have gotten more use washing and drying dogs than anything else so far. Well worth the investment.

 

[whateg01]

I had a plastic one with what seemed like 1/2" casters. It was better than nothing though. Bought the hf one with the 4 casters and it's been good. I don't use the tray under it as much as I thought I would but some stuff ends up there. One thing I've noticed on some is they use a cheap plastic for the casters that doesn't last long on rough concrete. Replacing with rollerblade wheels is game changing! Did the same with my creeper for the same reason.

 

[Notgrownup]

I just bought an Icon rolling stool, I got it with a 15% off coupon. It rolls really god and sits good. I also have an office chair that I got a long time ago. It is comfortable.

 

[TobeyA]

It's a stool, not a chair, but I use this one from Harbor Freight and really like it. The casters are large enough to roll smoothly. I also have a similar Caterpillar brand that is a little nicer, but it wasn't $180 when I got that one several years ago. The HF version is nice enough. Just be prepared to attach the storage bins with a couple of extra sheet metal screws.

https://www.harborfreight.com/compact-detail-seat-57317.html?_br_psugg_q=detailing+stool

 

[Mirage]

^ detailing stools are great, trays for tools and parts and bottle holders for cleaners/brake cleaner. I've got a similar one my dad got me.

 

[Bert_]

I pulled a nice office chair out of a dumpster once. It's probably from the '70s, it's green and made with a lot of metal. Works nice in the garage.

 

[MFortie]

I have an old Craftsman rolling chair and the wifey bought me a Vyper for Christmas one year. No comparison between the two. The Vyper is SO much better than anything else I’ve ever sat on!

 

[Skellyii]

I don't see the storage need, mine has a tray to put stuff in under the seat but I can't really reach it when sitting on the seat - which I did change - I put an inexpensive lawn mower seat with a low back on it, helps when scooting it around and offers a little support. Def more comfy than the rectangular block of foam that passed for a seat. Mine came from HF originally, 30 years ago. Still going strong.

This one, but with the mower seat where the flat one was.... https://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-roller-seat-3338.html

The seat is probably 25 years old, hence the cracks in the vinyl.....

I used to have one of those a few years ago that I picked up at a garage sale. It seemed pretty unstable, it tipped over several times when I was using it. I ended up donating it and got one of these:

https://www.harborfreight.com/pneumatic-adjustable-roller-seat-46319.html

Which I've had better luck with.

I noticed the brake disc on your shelf, does that add to the stability?

 

[Steve_P]

I have the same HF #46319 in the post above. It's obviously minimalist but it works for me since I'm rarely using it. If I was using it every day, or even once a week, I'd get something nicer.

 

[zimman]

I'm waiting for someone to post the $1500 chair the Youtubers use.
Zim

 

[dscheidt]

don't see the storage need, mine has a tray to put stuff in under the seat but I can't really reach it when sitting on the seat

When I used one of those chairs, I put some commonly used ppe on the shelf. Box of gloves, safety glasses, ear muffs. Much more likely to use them for a ‘quick’ job if I didn’t have to walk to get them.

 

[Skellyii]

I'm waiting for someone to post the $1500 chair the Youtubers use.
Zim

So, if you start a Youtube channel, you get the $1500 chair as a bonus?

Asking for a friend.

 

[Roert42]

I like the ones with the round pad with no back. Don't have to worry about orientation if I'm getting on and off a lot, ect. Pneumatic adjuster is good, can raise it up to sit at the work bench or lower it down for working on brakes, ect. Don't use the tray much, but it doesn't get in the way either.


I have a rectangle one the wife got me with a tray and drawer. never use it. drawer is pretty much useless unless you always use that stool for a certain task. I find the rectangle ones also don't roll a smooth, for whatever reason they also ways try to spin when rolling.

The round ones might try to spin when rolling, but orientation doesn't matter so I don't notice it.

 

[zimman]

So, if you start a Youtube channel, you get the $1500 chair as a bonus?

Asking for a friend.

They're calling it "Garage Enthusiast" LMAO
And somewhat cheaper than $1500 but you could try harder if you wanted.
Zim

Garage Chair & Stool, Garage Creeper | USA Built | Vyper

Garage chairs, garage work chairs, garage stools with wheels, and garage creepers for the guy with a real shop in the garage. 400 lb capacity, full lineup.

www.vyperindustrial.com

 

[Skellyii]

They're calling it "Garage Enthusiast" LMAO
And somewhat cheaper than $1500 but you could try harder if you wanted.
Zim

Garage Chair & Stool, Garage Creeper | USA Built | Vyper

Garage chairs, garage work chairs, garage stools with wheels, and garage creepers for the guy with a real shop in the garage. 400 lb capacity, full lineup.

www.vyperindustrial.com

Alas, my tastes, and my budget are limited.

I had to settle for this classic Craftsman stool which I added casters to. Estate sale find, $50 plus another $20 for the casters.

Works great!

 

[bcschief]

I dislike the single post seat as they usually bend and brake on us big guys, I have an older Craftsman 4 post seat I bought back in 2008 or so similar to this https://www.zoro.com/westward-creep...3p.ds&gad_source=7&gad_campaignid=21560877581

 

[Beerhippie]

Search for @KwikFab's stool build!

 

[KwikFab]

40, male, size 9.5 shoe, banana for scale

 

[KwikFab]

They're calling it "Garage Enthusiast" LMAO
And somewhat cheaper than $1500 but you could try harder if you wanted.
Zim

Garage Chair & Stool, Garage Creeper | USA Built | Vyper

Garage chairs, garage work chairs, garage stools with wheels, and garage creepers for the guy with a real shop in the garage. 400 lb capacity, full lineup.

www.vyperindustrial.com

Yeah **** those guys

Cheap particle board (at least for the backrest), and vinyl wrapped cushions for over $600 is a huge pass in my book

 

[yhprum]

I was going to make my own version of this for a mechanics stool. Might add some form of a stackable spacer with a cushion.

 

[Jbear]

This is what I'm gonna try:

VEVOR Pneumatic Roller Seat – 300 LBS, 18"-23" Height

VEVOR pneumatic roller seat supports 300 LBS and adjusts 18"-23" for comfort. Upgrade your workshop today, order now for smooth mobility and easy repairs!

www.vevor.com

 

[larry4406]

40, male, size 9.5 shoe, banana for scale

Watch out @PelicanPines - banana for scale.....

 

[PelicanPines]

40, male, size 9.5 shoe, banana for scale

@larry4406
66, male, size 10EEE, Eggplant for scale

 

[Caa311]

Alas, my tastes, and my budget are limited.

I had to settle for this classic Craftsman stool which I added casters to. Estate sale find, $50 plus another $20 for the casters.

Works great!

I have two of those, I never thought about putting wheels on them. Always dragging them around the bench to get it just right.

 

[zimman]

Mine is the Elementary School 1500 available from most thrift shops for $5.00
Zim

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

Mine is the Elementary School 1500 available from most thrift shops for $5.00
Zim

Virco chair with casters - for the win! They are pretty comfortable for a molded plastic chair.

 

[whateg01]

Virco chair with casters - for the win! They are pretty comfortable for a molded plastic chair.

Until they crack and pinch the back of your leg when you stand up! Also we didn't have wheels on our chairs

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

Until they crack and pinch the back of your leg when you stand up! Also we didn't have wheels on our chairs

I've never seen them with casters but a quick web search proved they are OEM.

 

[zimman]

Virco chair with casters - for the win! They are pretty comfortable for a molded plastic chair.

Found that on Rt 50, Rosebud Missouri sitting outside at the antique store. Score!
Zim

 

[The Cobbler]

Keith Rucker in You Tube just did a video on shop stool he got for Christmas , A Vyper

 

[cvairwerks]

We've got chairs and stools from Eidos at work. Nice, but I hate the shelves and catch trays on them. Always getting an ankle hit or caught on them while trying to move around under the jet.

 

[bigredcornhead]

Honestly, i have a had a ton of hydraulic cylinder stools, while they are great they will all eventually fail. I opted for a screw style medical stool and have been very happy with that for multiple years now for most sitting and work around the shop. For wheel and tire work i found one of these no frills metal non adjustable stool from like the 60s, and just upgraded the caster to poly wheels.

 

[whateg01]

I definitely want bigger Wheels than inch and a half or 2 in nowadays. In the driveway it's a necessity but even in the shop on the smooth floor bigger Wheels roll so much nicer

 

[Beerhippie]

I definitely want bigger Wheels than inch and a half or 2 in nowadays. In the driveway it's a necessity but even in the shop on the smooth floor bigger Wheels roll so much nicer

Aw, the little guys roll just fine... until they hit a piece of wire, sand or off-cut from a zip-tie, when they just dump you on your face.

 

[whateg01]

Aw, the little guys roll just fine... until they hit a piece of wire, sand or off-cut from a zip-tie, when they just dump you on your face.

I was a new tech at the time and we had a $75k spectrum analyzer on an old tektronix cart with tiny casters on the front. That cart had the equipment out over those tiny casters. I was pushing that cart back to the "parking lot" and somebody had strung an extension cord across the walkway. That whole thing landed on its face. I was already having a bad day. Boss sent me home for the day. I thought I was fired. Fortunately I wasn't but man!