Found the best garage stool ever

[Cryptic1911]

Sooo there was a thread a while back about finding a good garage / mechanics stool. A bunch of options were tossed around, but mostly the same cheap chinese stuff we’ve always used and broken. Someone in there suggested a stool from vyper chair.. I looked at the site and was like damn that’s nice, but I’m not spending that much on a stool. Welllll, after continuing to look for a cheap nice stool and failing miserably, I finally gave in and ordered a usa made vyper “robust steel” (low seat) stool.

It came in yesterday, and I gotta day it’s worth every damn penny. The machining and powdercoating were perfect, the nuts and bolts were grade 5, the casters roll like butter, and the stitching on the seat was very nice as well. Sometimes you get exactly what you pay for and this was one of those times

Assembly was a breeze since everything lined right up and I didn’t have any sketchy bolts or threads that needed retapping, which seems to always happen with the cheap junk

They even included a hand written christmas / thank you card, which was a nice touch.

btw- these guys also do usa made electric motors for reasonable money as well from vyper motors














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[bri_man57]

Looks nice for sure!!!

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[Cryptic1911]

Looks nice for sure!!!

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It's beyond nice

 

[nadogail]

I use a Medical Exam Stool from Office Depot.

 

[ewrjontan]

I like it. How high does it go?

 

[Cryptic1911]

looks like 15"-23"

 

[MattN03]

It looks really nice, but I'd miss having a tray I think.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'm impressed but oh HELL NO I'm not spending over $500 on a garage stool.

It really does look nice though, no question.

 

[cbrxfr67]

Looks awesome! Someday I'll stop using cat litter buckets,...

 

[Cryptic1911]

I'm impressed but oh HELL NO I'm not spending over $500 on a garage stool.

It really does look nice though, no question.

Mine was the cheaper low stool, but I said the same thing.. then ended up buying one anyways

 

[Jagmandave]

Nope, there has to be some semblance of monetary sense here - and $521 for a roll around stool just does not make sense to me.....I don't care if it's gold plated.

It's for the damn shop, it's going to get filthy dirty, banged up and have oil and grease all over it.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Nope, there has to be some semblance of monetary sense here - and $521 for a roll around stool just does not make sense to me.....I don't care if it's gold plated.

It's for the damn shop, it's going to get filthy dirty, banged up and have oil and grease all over it.

I totally hear that.. trust me, I really didn't want to spend $400 on a stool, but I got tired of spending $100 on garbage and having to replace it

 

[MrSurly]

I probably wouldn't spend that on a stool either, howEVER, I've seen China-quality stools priced at $250 and up simply because they had Harley Davidson or similar on them.
One could make the case that this is a twenty year machine with legit replaceable bearings and casters versus a HF p.o.s. that hits the dumpster every year or two. I like it, it looks like a real quality piece that is all too rare these days. No reason to dump on a guy's Berretta because you buy Mossbergs.

 

[Jeepster04]

It looks really nice, but I'd miss having a tray I think.

Yeah, I like my little craftsman unit that he has pictured there. My garage isnt bit enough for the Vyper unit nor is my wallet.

 

[quadrcr87]

I like it! I don't think I would miss the tray as I hardly use mine. My only gripe is the cost. I could weld up a pretty nice stool for way less $ but I would need to find a nice cushion and height adjuster.

 

[strength_and_power]

I’ve seen both the short and the tall versions at my buddy’s shop. It’s a solid piece as stated above. Worth the price? Matter of opinion. No way I could make a one off as nice for what they are selling them for. Factoring in materials, time spent gathering said materials, taking it to powdercoat, having an upholstery shop do the seat, yeah, I will probably have one in the next few months


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[Dustball]

How's the base diameter working for you? It seems awfully wide where it'd interfere with my feet.

 

[Jagmandave]

My little HF seat has lasted decades, but then I'm not making my living with it. Still, it gets used a LOT!

I'm not casting aspersions on anyone else, it's just too much money for the use to me.

 

[didit]

It really is nice but my spending priorities wouldn't allow it. My shop stools are all repurposed freebees.

 

[javyLSU]

I’m partial to mine:

 

[brownbagg]

mine a five gallon bucket

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I am already buying Festool machines. It took a bit of mental adjustment. Once you have tasted exquisite quality it is hard going back to stuff that is marginal.
Who knew that something as simple as a shopstool could be executed so well.

 

[driftpin]

Yes a good-looking product. That's > I would spend, but it looks very well-made.

I have a couple tall stools, one's a Craftsman w/a back, bought on-sale for ~$50. The foam isn't very-supportive.

One I use the most is a HFT low-boy they run on-sale for $19, and I actually like the little guy. It's easy to move on if you need, and it's comfortable for me.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've seen similar stools in medical offices and hospitals, with five heavy duty legs so they don't rock or wobble. There are a number of different brands at varying prices, do a search on "medical exam stool". You may also find used ones at medical or office supply stores.

 

[like2wheel]

I've seen similar stools in medical offices and hospitals, with five heavy duty legs so they don't rock or wobble. There are a number of different brands at varying prices, do a search on "medical exam stool". You may also find used ones at medical or office supply stores.

I picked one of these up recently at a liquidator, along with a rollerblade wheel conversion set. Only grabbed them because they were ridiculously cheap. Now I see the quality difference. And glides like the wind. If anything happened to it I would replace it in a heartbeat.
By far my favorite stool ever.

 

[MrSurly]

do a search on "medical exam stool"

Oh, no you don't. I'm falling for that one. Have you seen what google can do with even the most innocent search terms?

 

[mmb617]

I won this in a drawing at my local Advance Auto a couple years ago. I think they retail for around $40. I don't have much use for it since I have a lift but it was free.

I'd never spend hundreds of dollars for a roller seat but I'm not telling anyone else how to spend their money. The one the OP posted does look really nice.

 

[bradpac]

Being tall (6'4") and fat (350lbs), garage stools with big, easy rolling casters is a nice thing to have. I bought one of the Traxion 400lb rated seats and it lasted a few months before the gas shock wore out I replaced the shock with a HD unit off amazon, but the height adjustment doesn't work which is annoying and I just dug it out from th e2 years it's sat under the bench and the seat foam is no longer firm. Junk.
So, $400 might be my next purchase although 5 gallon buckets, or the floor is what I am used to.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Oh, no you don't. I'm falling for that one. Have you seen what google can do with even the most innocent search terms?

I wouldn't have posted it if I hadn't tested it first myself. All I found was a bunch of stools for sitting on.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I made my own shop stools. Not shown, I have a BMW 5 Series reclining driver's seat on a rolling base.

 

[joey1320]

I saw this one and like it. Not sure if I want to spend the money.
Great stool

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...er-shop-stool-with-casters-41562?cm_vc=-10005

 

[GCS]

It's beyond nice

SaWeet!!


I checked these out also after the original post on the stools.

Why didn’t you order one with a backrest?

I was also wondering how stable the 4 wheel stool is. I’m sure the 5 arm(wheel) is sturdier, but how much?

 

[TMcCay]

That looks damn nice! I am envious for sure.

 

[HenryAZ]

I have two Safco stools, one high, one low, with screw lifts. I prefer the screw over the hydraulic piston because I'll never be having to replace a piston. The high has a seating range of 25" - 33", and the low 17" - 25". I replaced the casters on both with those roller blade type that really roll easily on a concrete floor. So easily, that with my garage floor having a very slight slope, the stool will roll away on its own when I get up if I don't park it against something.

Safco has a range of lab/work type stools, most with hydraulic lift. They are very high quality, and a bit pricey (under $200 at Amazon).

Safco 3433BL high base lab stool with screw lift, at Amazon.

Safco 3432BL low base lab stool with screw lift, at Amazon

 

[MrBreeze]

I'd spend $500 on a stool if I could be assured the padding is dense enough not to break down or where your "sit bones" end up pressing through the foam and to the board below. The closest I've been able to come was to pull the cover off mine and put 4 layers of a high quality yoga mat cut into circles.

You will have to give us an update after some use if this truly is the "best garage stool ever" - I sure hope so!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I have a nice vintage lab stool from Penn State, but I'd really love to get a yellow Cosco stepstool chair like the one that was in my grandfather's kitchen. IDK how I didn't think to get it when the estate was settled.



Tommy

 

[Rich1028]

I have a nice vintage lab stool from Penn State, but I'd really love to get a yellow Cosco stepstool chair like the one that was in my grandfather's kitchen. IDK how I didn't think to get it when the estate was settled.



Tommy

I have the same one from when I was little.
mine has the steps fold out just like that one.
I got another one from A Friend, but the seat lifts up to climb.

 

[jrbpit1]

I bought this off the MAC truck. It is made in Ohio and seems to be well made. Was about $165.00. I really like it. It will probably outlast me, I’m a weekend warrior.


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[rsparks64]

Looked like an erector set kit when it came in, but it turned out nice. That stool should last for many years. I have a stool basically identical to that Craftsman and added a thicker cushion last year and recovered with the help of the wife. I like the hydraulic mechanism a lot and use the bottom tray while wheeling around the cars doing detailing, particularly the wheels and exhaust tip. I also have one of the Dewalt adjustable stools that I like a lot and my neighbor liked it so much he bought one. It gets high enough that I can work at my benches and it goes down far enough to some work on lower objects, but not quite as low as the Craftsman stool. That stool costs about a quarter of what you spent and the only thing that might wear out in a few years would be the seat cushion or cover.

 

[Cryptic1911]

How's the base diameter working for you? It seems awfully wide where it'd interfere with my feet.

I was concerned about that too, but you're sitting up a little higher so it's not really an issue. My other thing that I hated with the little ones is that I'd keep my feet real close and lean, then when the casters swiveled they would go off center and the damn things would want to tip. Can't do that with this one

I am already buying Festool machines. It took a bit of mental adjustment. Once you have tasted exquisite quality it is hard going back to stuff that is marginal.
Who knew that something as simple as a shopstool could be executed so well.

Exactly.. I've done it a few times.. bit the bullet on a honda track snowblower and cried the whole time, but the first time it snowed I was like I don't give a **** what this cost, it was worth every penny. Sometimes you just get tired of spending money on **** that doesn't work like it should

SaWeet!!


I checked these out also after the original post on the stools.

Why didn’t you order one with a backrest?

I was also wondering how stable the 4 wheel stool is. I’m sure the 5 arm(wheel) is sturdier, but how much?

I considered it, but I'm usually leaning forward working on something rather than sitting back, so it wouldn't get used much. Plus I'd probably be smashing it into stuff

I'm not sure on their 4 vs 5 wheel setup. I just know that I never liked 4 wheel stuff on smaller chairs since it makes it easier to tip

I'd spend $500 on a stool if I could be assured the padding is dense enough not to break down or where your "sit bones" end up pressing through the foam and to the board below. The closest I've been able to come was to pull the cover off mine and put 4 layers of a high quality yoga mat cut into circles.

You will have to give us an update after some use if this truly is the "best garage stool ever" - I sure hope so!

That was one of the reasons I bought this. It's padded like a real seat, rather than some polyfill on top of plywood with vinyl stretched tight over it. The cheapy craftsman I also still have flattens out pretty good and the damn edge of the seat gets me in the *** bones every time if ya know what I mean. I think this one will hold up considering how well crafted the rest is