Decent creeper without breaking the bank?

[signcrafter]

I've been using my old wooden craftsman creeper I got many years ago. The wheels are **** and half the bolts have fallen out. I think it's time to upgrade to something that works a little better.

What are my options without spending a fortune? Is the HF one halfway decent? Seems like it's the same plastic one sold everywhere under different names. Or is there one on amazon that works better?

 

[stonemason80]

I've had the HF one for a few years and it's worked great.

 

[Highlux]

Grabbing an oar...Im in the same boat. I got serious back issues now. Im looking at ones that tilt up so I can not have to crane my neck so much. Something to hold a few tools too. Suppose one could build one...

 

[usmc_noma]

I've had the HF one for a few years and it's worked great.

Ditto on the HF one. Three years and its still good to go. The only thing I could think of that would be an issue would be a weight limit but I'm only 185lbs.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I've been using my old wooden craftsman creeper I got many years ago. The wheels are **** and half the bolts have fallen out. I think it's time to upgrade to something that works a little better.

What are my options without spending a fortune? Is the HF one halfway decent? Seems like it's the same plastic one sold everywhere under different names. Or is there one on amazon that works better?

The low end stuff is probably similar among the plastic creepers (torin, hf, maybe atd). Depends on how much you want to spend. Just look at the reviews on amazon.

These are (probably)your best bet if you want to spend more:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C6Q8M0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JYYPO2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The second one looks like it would be good for non smooth surfaces. Whereas most creepers need a smooth surface to roll (at least from the one I owned in the past). But...expensive. You should check them out before you buy if you can.

Or you could just put some foam tiles down underneath the car and lay on that; somewhat cheaper but not really resistant (that I know of) to chemicals and oil.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

The Omega folder up above is a good folder, seen similar with the truck brands stamped on them.

Hands down I will recommend the Lisle 'Jeepers Creeper' to no end. Same creeper Matco sells for twice as much, casters are 10x smoother than the HF creeper (last one I was on would barely roll on flat cement, and I'm only 150lbs).

The Lisle creepers are pretty much bulletproof. Second day I had mine, I set it up against a bench. Was pulling out a tanker truck with a tanker trailer, and found out when I walked back into the shop my new creeper had fallen down and been run over by the drive axles of the truck, and all 4 trailer axles. Bent the caster all the way back so it indented the wheel shape into the plastic. Took a heat gun and pry bar to it and it 10 minutes, it was as good as new. Haven't had an issue with it since, no bearing noise or anything. Also comfortable enough that I've nearly fallen asleep under a couple of truck jobs when it was cool on a hot day.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SR0V2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[928'er]

Had a creeper for years and never found a need for it - finally gave it to a friend who had had a stroke. Waste of space as far as I'm concerned.

 

[PT Doc]

I bought a craftsman professional years ago. Obviously it is rebadged but I like it. The frame has a ve bend right about where your arms end up and this make it pretty comfortable. Not the thickest foam but very comfortable. Some memory foam in there would be nice.

 

[signcrafter]

Had a creeper for years and never found a need for it - finally gave it to a friend who had had a stroke. Waste of space as far as I'm concerned.

Do you have a lift or are you saying crawling around on concrete is better then rolling around on a creeper? Creepers are a lot nicer to roll around on rather then scoot around on hands and knees.

That lisle jeepers creepers looks pretty nice. Is it worth double the HF one?

 

[mrborohachi]

+ on Lisle I believe they make the Matco ones

 

[ihateminimumwage]

That lisle jeepers creepers looks pretty nice. Is it worth double the HF one?

Absolutely. The casters are excellent, which was the weak point of the HF creeper I was on a couple of weeks ago (wheels were binding up and getting stuck on flat ground).
It got me around full shifts on a beat up cement floor with all kinds of gravel and grease packed into the wheels, just pressure washed it off and it was good as new.
I was weary of spending so much on a plastic creeper, but was sold after it had a tanker go over it and came out fine

+ on Lisle I believe they make the Matco ones

They do. Usual Matco, just stamps their name on it and charges 2-3x as much...

 

[bwringer]

I have a HF creeper (this one). It's comfy and strong, but the wheels are indeed the weak point. It has the red plastic wheels, and they don't seem to be the greatest.

I use it very seldom, but the wheels are already showing damage and don't roll all that well.

That said, it wouldn't surprise me if HF starts selling creepers with better wheels at some point in the near future. I notice they now show a plastic low-profile creeper with grey wheels for the same price.

 

[signcrafter]

I FINALLY pulled the plug on the lisle jeepers creeper. I got tired of mine and I got the new one yesterday and wow is all I can say. It's a major upgrade for me. It rolls so smooth and is pretty comfy. I got the yellow one so I should always be able to find it. Thanks to everyone who recommended this creeper!

 

[K-Dog]

Its amazing how comfortable a big piece of cardboard could be...

 

[RedneckWelder]

Its amazing how comfortable a big piece of cardboard could be...

You can have all the cardboard you want...when we poured a cement pad and were able to use creepers it was a godsend. Cardboard on cement, grass or gravel just doesn't compare...

Love my HF creeper, now just wish I had a lift.

 

[motofool33]

i got the traxion widebody creeper it rolls around nice almost too nice on a flat floor.

cumfy and supportive back pads for long use cant complain shipped for 80$

 

[jowwo]

Its amazing how comfortable a big piece of cardboard could be...

Fifteen years with a dirt driveway, I loves me some cardboard! Now I have a cement garage floor and the cheapy creeper I have is a pretty nice change. The next step is one of those high dollar suckers? Cool

 

[signcrafter]

Its amazing how comfortable a big piece of cardboard could be...

You should upgrade to a piece of ridgid insulation. Cheap and can lay the whole thing under the car.

 

[isr2kba]

I've had this creeper for nearly 15 years and it has seen a lot of use; though it really doesn't clean up very well anymore I reach for it all the time. It rolls on rough pavement and smooth concrete. I also occasionally use it as a dolly. I weigh over 200 usually and aside from clearance issues which I can't blame on the creeper, it performs perfectly.

Thing is that I bought a deluxe craftsman creeper with all the padding on the same day. The craftsman is in nearly new condition because I used it about five times.

 

[joedodge]

Lisle all the way had mine for 7 years plastic ones are more durable and more comfortable

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Shouldn't even be a debate here. Lisle is the only way to go. Made in the USA...or at least mine was.

 

[carterbeauford]

I don't think the Lisle creepers will stand up to the amount of abuse one of these things will

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...i_sku=630100&gclid=COr_yfLAs74CFS8OOgodhyQALQ

 

[jmm]

Another vote for the Lisle. Mine is Mac branded, it's comfortable and more durable than other creepers I've used. My Mac driver warranties bad wheels and the head rest, too. Score!

 

[K-Dog]

Pick up a Human Hoist and do a review on it. They are only about $1K from what I've read.

http://humanhoist.com/

Yeah that is pretty awesome.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I don't think the Lisle creepers will stand up to the amount of abuse one of these things will

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...i_sku=630100&gclid=COr_yfLAs74CFS8OOgodhyQALQ

Run it over with a full Kenworth fuel tanker truck and trailer and let me know how it holds up.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I FINALLY pulled the plug on the lisle jeepers creeper. I got tired of mine and I got the new one yesterday and wow is all I can say. It's a major upgrade for me. It rolls so smooth and is pretty comfy. I got the yellow one so I should always be able to find it. Thanks to everyone who recommended this creeper!

Glad to hear OP, it only took you 5 months!

Enjoy the new creeper!

 

[Ruger_556]

Lisle... Debate over

 

[NorDel Garage]

I had a nice Craftsman seat/ creeper combo unit. It was alright but so heavy. I sold it and bought Bone Rough Rider creeper. What a great creeper! I have a Quik Lift and I am in heaven! I also have the Harbor Freight one , it is ok but the wheels , as mentioned leave something to be desired. I should have bought the Lisle brand.

 

[carterbeauford]

Run it over with a full Kenworth fuel tanker truck and trailer and let me know how it holds up.

I do use it to roll farm implements around the shop. Thing is unusually indestructible for the price.

 

[jmm]

A google search turned up maybe the bestest creeper ever!

Dude, that thumbnail looks like that chick's brains...you fill in the rest. Hope I didn't destroy that for anyone.

Those dogbone creepers are like 30 bucks more expensive than the Lisles and they don't have a head rest! I laid on one at NT once. Not impressed. If it works for you though, why not?

 

[signcrafter]

Glad to hear OP, it only took you 5 months!

Enjoy the new creeper!

Took a while but finally got it!

I looked into the bone creepers and even read some stories on here about their great customer service and warranty. But I just can't justify that much money right now. The lisle was on the upper end of what I wanted to spend but I'm happy I spent the extra over the HF one.

 

[ScurvyPete]

Dude, that thumbnail looks like that chick's brains...you fill in the rest.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[K-Dog]

A google search turned up maybe the bestest creeper ever!

She is never gonna fit under that car...

 

[ADSR]

You should upgrade to a piece of ridgid insulation. Cheap and can lay the whole thing under the car.

I did this once. Just don't use it while welding under there. Don't ask how i know this.

 

[ttpete]

I lucked out at an estate sale and scored an ORIGINAL Jeepers creeper, the kind made with hardwood and steel corners that carry the casters. Not light, but real stout. Looks like it was never used except in the home garage. Stole it for $10.00.

 

[aaronrkelly]

https://scontent-b-iad.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/1234608_4602791247121_1868806363_n.jpg

Ive had lots of creepers....none of them held up. Then again Im a big guy.....maybe your a little guy.

Finally found the answer - proudly made in the USA as well. They send a 4 page color flyer with the creeper that explains where each factory is that makes each single piece of the creeper, down to the bolts.....it also tells how many employees they have etc. They are proud of it.

Paid about $115 - love it.

http://www.bonecreeper.com/products.html

 

[cagullett1]

Got my Lisle 2 days ago from Sears. They were matching Amazon's $65 price. I added a $10 tool item, then got $15 off and $14 in points. $46 for both items was a steal! To top it off, I had enough points to make it FREE! My pregnant wife actually spent more than 10 minutes in the garage today, she enjoyed laying on it and found it to be very comfortable.

 

[signcrafter]

I got a chance to use my creeper today and I LOVE it! I had to drop the front axle in a 2000 F150 and then drop the oil pan. This thing is amazing when you're used to using cheap ones! A great purchase and thanks again for all the recommendations. The bone creeper also looks nice but I just can't justify the price.

 

[Qualitytools]

Dude, that thumbnail looks like that chick's brains...you fill in the rest. Hope I didn't destroy that for anyone.

Those dogbone creepers are like 30 bucks more expensive than the Lisles and they don't have a head rest! I laid on one at NT once. Not impressed. If it works for you though, why not?

I have the earlier Dog-bone, smooth laying surface with a head rest, rolls very easy. I was buying a car form a guy and saw it leaning against the wall in his garage and I asked about it. He said it's for sale for $25, he purchased it from the owner of Dog-bone at the Vegas show and it is autographed in the back. Nice creeper I had not heard of it back in 1997 and did not know how expensive they were. Oh and I got the car for a good price too

 

[4x4gearhead]

I have used this one for almost ten years, its starting to get a little rough but has gotten a lot of use. The wheels are fine still but the padding is starting to rip (every day use). For the money I am more than happy.

Here's the link; http://www.sears.com/craftsman-40-in-creeper-metal-frame/p-00951158000P