Creeper Tool Cart / Tray

[CarsonConcepts]

I've been doing a fair bit of work from my Lisle Jeepers Creeper lately as I've been tearing down and parting out a car I recently picked up. I kept finding that I'd roll under with a hand full of tools, and end up with tools, bolts, and parts scattered under the car. This usually meant that the wrench I needed was now under the creeper, or I had to make several trips back under the car to get everything. So I decided to make a tool tray to keep things organized, and allow me to have everything in one place.

It's made out of angle iron from an old bed frame with a 3/4" plywood center covered in 1/8" rubber matting, old desk handles on the ends and a extra set of HF casters. The ends face "in" to support the plywood, while the sides face "out" to support the casters and HF magnetic rails. This also negated the need for angled cuts or notches to make the corners. The size was based on the materials at hand; 18" long (length of mag rails) x 11" wide tray area (width of the rubber material).

I plan to knock it apart and paint the metal frame after I get a chance to use it for a little while and see if I want to make any changes or additions. I've already started thinking of ideas for some sort of light source.

According to my garage buddy Tipper, I've really made a mobile dog bed for hanging out under the car with me.

~ Carson

 

[cowboy73]

I like it! What kinda dog is Tipper?

 

[PJNJ]

Looks really good and it is a great idea. I'm always trying to drag a tool tote/tray and magnetic parts tray around under the car just to keep the tools, nuts, bolts and small parts together. With what you made it should be much easier. The only suggestion is maybe a pair of locking wheels when you don't it want to possibly roll away from you. As for a light source - how about a tray off one end just wide enough to hold an LED strip light so it doesn't move around.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

Tip is a Cairn Terrier & Poodle mix. He's around 10 years old and loves hanging out in the shop, supervising. Always laying on the work bench watching, or trying to help under the car by laying on me or licking me in the face.

PJNJ - Thanks for the ideas. I was thinking of finding better casters anyways (had these ones laying around). I'll have to keep an eye out for some ~1.5" locking ones.

As for the light, I was thinking something like your led strip light idea or trying to find a magnetic base light with and articulating head of some sort. Need to poke around Amazon or Google Images for some ideas.

~ Carson

 

[evildky]

I actually have a wheeled tool tray that is purpose built, has a magnetic sheet in the middle and handles that fold flat, about half the size of the one you built. Thinking it came from sears but it's been 20 ish years and I really couldn't say for sure.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

Have any pictures? It'd be nice to see some others for ideas and inspiration for anyone looking to build something similar.

~ Carson

 

[Rico.]

According to my garage buddy Tipper, I've really made a mobile dog bed for hanging out under the car with me.

wned:

Nice one Tipper....


That is a very nice idea.... Creepers are awkward enough to work from
so anything that makes life a little bit easier when working under a car
definitely gets a from me.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

Since I added this to another thread I figured I'd update this one as well.

Painted the frame with some Duplicolor Graphite Wheel paint I had around, and painted the underside of the plywood with cheap semi-gloss black. Coloured in the staples with a wood splinter and the black paint as well so they blend in.

As for light, I've been using one of the Kobalt "HyperCoil" lights that were on clearance a while back. With out the flexible arm part, the built in magnets stick nicely to the side of the tray and allows me to aim the head around where I need it.

So far everything has been working out quite well with it.