Custom Mechanics Creeper?

[DanMan90]

Has anyone ever played around with the idea of fabricating a custom creeper? I have used a bunch and they have never been particularly pleasant to be on, I guess it does beat the concrete though.

Anyways, as a mechanical engineer I have access to some 3D CAD software and have been playing around with some ideas to fab a creeper. Same basic idea as all of the ones you can purchase, just wider, larger casters, more ergonomically friendly, and I am toying with the idea of integrating LED's onto the frame to act as a large shop light. As I don't have the skills (or a capable welder for Al) at the moment, they will just be plans for the time being. Once I finish the drawings, I would be more than happy to share them with anyone interested in giving it a go.

Just figured I would post and see if anyone is interested/has ever attempted this before. Helpful criticism and your opinion is more than welcome.

I will post pictures tonight of the design progress thus far.

 

[lilredex]

I wanted one that would just clear the ground, here is the result.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3427395#post3427395

 

[1949 caddyman]

I like one that can tilt your head up as needed. I have a Harbor Freight that dose. The wheels wore out, replaced them with better ones & it works ok but a higher quality one is on my list of things I would like. All the onesI found for sale look the same as what I have so a higher quality one sounds nice! Subscribed!

 

[vintagespeed1956]

would be a fun project. outrigger swiveling skate wheels, flush mount LEDs down both sides, run off a rechargable drill battery..... yeah i like it! extra points for SS or alum.

 

[DanMan90]

Here are some preliminary pictures. Like I had mentioned, same basic concept just wider, better casters, etc. Right now it would sit approx. 1/2" from the ground. The casters I will most likely use are:

http://www.coolcasters.com/product/...-clear-dark-blue-100-64-cldb-bl-sp-nb-2-12-in

@110lbs/caster I think they would do well. I like the plate idea more than the stem I think.

And it is modeled with 1"x1" with 0.125" walled aluminum stock.

 

[turfgnome]

if I was building a creeper it would have some of the features of this one.

 

[Blazinzuk]

I plan on building one.

Was gonna do something similar with leds. But mine will be steel. I don't like light creepers. I was also planning on using something similar to the cool casters.

 

[DanMan90]

I plan on building one.

Was gonna do something similar with leds. But mine will be steel. I don't like light creepers. I was also planning on using something similar to the cool casters.

Just curious, why do you not like light creepers?

 

[Catmochanic]

Have you seen this one yet...?

 

[Capt Chrysler]

Have you seen this one yet...?

I have wanted one of these for years! They just can't seem to get it to market.

Capt. Chrysler

 

[DanMan90]

I have, maybe that will be my next project once I get myself a house. Lol for now a durable, useful creeper is what I'm going for.

 

[wagzilla]

I have had about 15 creepers I don't like most of the wheels the one's that had nice wheels are sitting to high, the bearings are always falling out and I'm a light guy 163lbs I do like the idea of led lights that would work well. I don't like when my shirt gets stuck under the wheel?? better pads would be nice water proof ? magnetic tray??
most people don't want to spend big money on a creeper, I would speed upto $300 or so ???

James

 

[Griff93]

I've thought repeatedly about making one. I really don't like any of the store bought ones that I've used that well. If I ever make one, it will have brakes. The idea kinda went to the back burner after getting a 2 post lift but I still have an occasional need for one. I used a creeper several times today. A built in bolt tray would have been really nice today. A couple of led lights that could be aimed would be great as well. I've thought about cutting one out of aluminum 3/16" sheet on my plasma table. Maybe I'll get to building my own version of a creeper one day.

 

[DanMan90]

I think it could definitely be water resistant using a vinyl covering, not sure about waterproof. I would need to see whats available for materials.

T-Shirt getting caught underneath is potentially resolved with the creeper being wider and having the pad extend to the frame of the creeper. It would also help with things not falling down the sides and ending up beneath you.

Adjustable headrest is an option. I can see if I can figure out a low profile way of putting a mechanism in there for adjustable height.

A tray, potentially magnetic is a possibility. My only thoughts are I don't want it TOO wide or it may be difficult to maneuver. Maybe have a swing out tray from beneath that latches in place?

Hmm, the possibilities!

 

[owenst7]

Has anyone ever played around with the idea of fabricating a custom creeper? I have used a bunch and they have never been particularly pleasant to be on, I guess it does beat the concrete though.

Anyways, as a mechanical engineer I have access to some 3D CAD software and have been playing around with some ideas to fab a creeper. Same basic idea as all of the ones you can purchase, just wider, larger casters, more ergonomically friendly, and I am toying with the idea of integrating LED's onto the frame to act as a large shop light. As I don't have the skills (or a capable welder for Al) at the moment, they will just be plans for the time being. Once I finish the drawings, I would be more than happy to share them with anyone interested in giving it a go.

Just figured I would post and see if anyone is interested/has ever attempted this before. Helpful criticism and your opinion is more than welcome.

I will post pictures tonight of the design progress thus far.

As a fellow engineer, but with welders and tube benders, I had aspirations to design my own for a while. Then someone showed me a Jeepers Creeper by Lisle. They come with 2" or 4" urethane casters that are excellent. I'm just going to add lights to that now. There's a bunch of single diode spot LEDs out now. Figured I'd install a couple of those on there and incorporate an m12 lithium battery or something similar.my shirt never gets caught in the wheels on this one and it's still narrow enough that it doesn't get hung up on jackstand and stuff while I'm using it. Its got a nice pad for your head also.

I like the plastic because its not as hot/cold as metal but doesn't absorb water and oil like wood. The HDPE holds up very well to welding/grinding slag also.

If you were going to make one, I'd suggest looking at a sheet of HDPE or polypropylene from a local supplier for the section you lay on, even if it has a metal frame. HDPE is extremely durable and one of the most chemically inert materials you can get. UHMWPE has 50% greater tensile strength than stainless aircraft cable. Its tough stuff.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

I rolled Snap On creepers from the mid 90's. They don't see the heavy day to day use they did. But, never any problems.

With my back today I would like to buy the power one listed above.

Capt. Chrysler

 

[2mJps]

I have built 3 creepers and used about every brand their is but i went back to a heavy duty old school creeper. makeing it wider.lower or biger wheels just makes problems its gets hung up or rolles to good. Its inpossable to find any thing in one with trays unless you remember just were you put it.I would be realy surprised if any one ever makes any thing realy good.

 

[vintagespeed1956]

...A tray, potentially magnetic is a possibility. My only thoughts are I don't want it TOO wide or it may be difficult to maneuver....

why not trays down both sides between the rails for the wheels and the pad you lay on? where your hand would be naturally.

 

[bczygan]

I have the HF plastic one.

It flexes with my 230# 6'3" frame.

The casters don't work too well on the blacktop on the street where I do my auto repairs.

In addition, it raises me up above the ground, requiring me to lift the car even further up for clearance.

Plus, I have to be careful when changing fluids, so I don't get any on it.

So it has sat in the automotive shed, unused.

I find that a discard-able piece of cardboard or an old ruined blanket work better.

If I did use one, it would be a shell, custom fitted to my body, like astronauts seats. It would rotate about it's longitudinal axis to allow me to rotate side to side. Moving side to side or even front to back is difficult, so it would have electric powered movement. Don't know how you would control it yet.

One problem when working under the car, is finding a way to brace yourself, so it would need a way to lock it in place. And some kind of arms, like an exoskeleton for my arms, would provide bracing.

Lifting and moving my head into different positions is difficult under there, so some kind of mechanical aid would help. Something balanced to the weight of my head, so it would help with re-positioning and support.

Headgear with lighting and musical entertainment would also be needed.

It should have a pad with heating and cooling capability, so I could take little naps when needed or desired.

And a cup holder with extended straw for refreshment.

An attached magnet tool holder would be required, on a movable arm, so I could relocate it.

Getting up and down are difficult as I age, so a full body exoskeleton or the chair linked above would help with that.

Or I could just get a lift.

Bill

 

[owenst7]

I have the HF plastic one.

It flexes with my 230# 6'3" frame.

The casters don't work too well on the blacktop on the street where I do my auto repairs.

In addition, it raises me up above the ground, requiring me to lift the car even further up for clearance.

Plus, I have to be careful when changing fluids, so I don't get any on it.

So it has sat in the automotive shed, unused.

I find that a discard-able piece of cardboard or an old ruined blanket work better.

If I did use one, it would be a shell, custom fitted to my body, like astronauts seats. It would rotate about it's longitudinal axis to allow me to rotate side to side. Moving side to side or even front to back is difficult, so it would have electric powered movement. Don't know how you would control it yet.

One problem when working under the car, is finding a way to brace yourself, so it would need a way to lock it in place. And some kind of arms, like an exoskeleton for my arms, would provide bracing.

Lifting and moving my head into different positions is difficult under there, so some kind of mechanical aid would help. Something balanced to the weight of my head, so it would help with re-positioning and support.

Headgear with lighting and musical entertainment would also be needed.

It should have a pad with heating and cooling capability, so I could take little naps when needed or desired.

And a cup holder with extended straw for refreshment.

An attached magnet tool holder would be required, on a movable arm, so I could relocate it.

Getting up and down are difficult as I age, so a full body exoskeleton or the chair linked above would help with that.

Or I could just get a lift.

Bill

Why can't you get fluids on it?

 

[Capt Chrysler]

If I did use one, it would be a shell, custom fitted to my body, like astronauts seats. It would rotate about it's longitudinal axis to allow me to rotate side to side. Moving side to side or even front to back is difficult, so it would have electric powered movement. Don't know how you would control it yet.

One problem when working under the car, is finding a way to brace yourself, so it would need a way to lock it in place. And some kind of arms, like an exoskeleton for my arms, would provide bracing.

Lifting and moving my head into different positions is difficult under there, so some kind of mechanical aid would help. Something balanced to the weight of my head, so it would help with re-positioning and support.

Headgear with lighting and musical entertainment would also be needed.

It should have a pad with heating and cooling capability, so I could take little naps when needed or desired.

And a cup holder with extended straw for refreshment.

An attached magnet tool holder would be required, on a movable arm, so I could relocate it.

Getting up and down are difficult as I age, so a full body exoskeleton or the chair linked above would help with that.

Or I could just get a lift.

Bill

Call Tony Stark and see if he has an old Iron Man suit for sale.

Capt. Chrysler

 

[FANTM58]

I'm thinking about adding larger wheels to mine , or building one with large wheels.
That's a major downfall with the ones I have. Always getting stuck in the expansion
Joints in my garage floor. But that being said, in my new shop I'll have saw cut and caulked
Expansion joints , not troweled.
And I have a plastic one, and I hate it ! I'm only 180lb but it still distorts and bottoms out with weight I it . The one I have that gets the most use is one that has an adjustable head rest
And folds into a roller seat.! It still has its issues
It's heavy and the wheels are to small, that's the one I'm gonna retro fit larger wheels on
And go from there, and design mine off that pattern !

 

[bczygan]

Why can't you get fluids on it?

It's messy and I don't like having to clean it up.

Now, I admit that in the past, I have spilled half the oil on the ground, when doing an oil change. That's why the street in front of my house has a big stain.

But now I have a much better drain pan, and I hate spilling stuff on myself or my equipment. The creeper is very cleanable, but I never have to clean it, because I don't use it.

As an aside, my wife says it's called a creeper because of the guys that us it...

Bill