I've HAD IT with Creepers!
- Thread starter maxpower_hd
- Start date
four.cycle
Well-known member
I had no idea there was so much hate for creepers.
Amost every one we sold came back. Crunched, flattened, demolished, or otherwise destroyed. I stopped carrying them in the stores - too many comebacks.
Old refrigerator boxes work great, and the wheels on them always go where I want them to go.
Amost every one we sold came back. Crunched, flattened, demolished, or otherwise destroyed. I stopped carrying them in the stores - too many comebacks.
Old refrigerator boxes work great, and the wheels on them always go where I want them to go.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
sparky 1971
Well-known member
This will probably sound ridiculous, but I love my Harbor Freight creeper. As a 300 pound heavyweight, the red creepers would either break or wouldn't roll very well and would wind up tipping over. I tried several and wound up throwing them in the dumpster. I've had the new creeper several months and have probably used it 15 times. It rolls perfect, any direction I want when I want. If it gives up the ghost, it's only $35, I will buy another.
www.harborfreight.com
300 lb. Capacity Low-Profile Creeper, Gray
Amazing deals on this 300Lb Capacity Low Profile Creeper, Gray at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
it will **** out eventually. My advice instead of spending the money on an identical one to replace it get the Lisle plastic creeper instead. It’s extremely durable and much better quality plus it’s available in big wheel and standard small wheel versions. I had an HF and replaced it with the Lisle.
the traditional metal frame or wood back creeper is ****.
the traditional metal frame or wood back creeper is ****.
This will probably sound ridiculous, but I love my Harbor Freight creeper. As a 300 pound heavyweight, the red creepers would either break or wouldn't roll very well and would wind up tipping over. I tried several and wound up throwing them in the dumpster. I've had the new creeper several months and have probably used it 15 times. It rolls perfect, any direction I want when I want. If it gives up the ghost, it's only $35, I will buy another.
300 lb. Capacity Low-Profile Creeper, Gray
Amazing deals on this 300Lb Capacity Low Profile Creeper, Gray at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
Certified Drunk
Well-known member
It's not the creeperI have a problem with, its getting back up on my feet after being on the floor.
Ton ton
Well-known member
I use a plastic creeper from my local Carquest , no pinched skin yet. Hopefully you can find something better than what you are currently using.
ttpete
Well-known member
I've had a Geiger creeper for years. It's hardwood with steel corners and proper creeper casters. You could run over it without any damage. Google "Geiger creeper" for pix.
My HF creeper just lost one of the middle casters (looks neatly cut-out - lol), so this is timely.
Desertskyy
Well-known member
I have been rolling with this one for about 25 years. Not sure if it is still made. You can buy replacement wheels for it. At one time you could even buy the replacement board and head rest.
andyvh1959
Well-known member
I've used my creeper more for moving **** around the shop than under my back.
I might consider a creeper like some brands/styles commented in this thread. But I still hate the damn things.
I might consider a creeper like some brands/styles commented in this thread. But I still hate the damn things.
Radio Flyer
Well-known member
same here
I used cardboard 20-30 years ago, and it's fine until you want to move around. For me, it's a lot easier to roll around, or out, from under a vehicle on even my cheap old metal frame HF? creeper (I'm 160-170 lbs) than it is to crawl around on cardboard. Plus I have airspace between my back and a damp concrete floor.
The posts about hair getting caught in the wheels made me laugh. I have short hair, so no issue for me, but years back I had my GF, with long hair, on a creeper for some reason and she got all tangled up!
The posts about hair getting caught in the wheels made me laugh. I have short hair, so no issue for me, but years back I had my GF, with long hair, on a creeper for some reason and she got all tangled up!
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
Wear coveralls and a stocking cap, and you kill 80% of the issues with creepers. Clean the concrete under the car (air or squeegie or flat scraper and broom or whatnot) and that's another 10%. My old wooden KAL creeper can't bite me when I've taken away the parts that it can bite. My only issue is it's not comfortable on these old bones.
I can relate to your GF Steve, I got my hair caught in my creeper and had to try to maneuver the creeper wheel up off the ground, while under my truck to free my hair. I literally was trapped, working by myself, for a few painful minutes. I have used cardboard since and just grab the vehicle to slide myself around. Now that I have my trucks undercoated in Woolwax, I am rethinking the creeper, and how to get my hair ******* to keep it out of the wheels.
andyvh1959
Well-known member
Another garage gripe: trouble light. Whoever designed the traditional trouble light obviously rarely ever actually worked on anything. The old style trouble light with the fixed hook, round back, curved cage around the light bulb barely ever directs the light in the right way, and usually swings away from where you want it.
The back of the bulb shroud should be flat so when it lays on the floor it stays put facing up. The light shroud should pivot so it can lay on the shop floor angled to direct the light if needed. The cord into the light housing should pivot so the light doesn't fight the set of the cord.
But then, modern battery pack shop lights with flat bottom, pivoting lens head, magnetic base address all that.
The back of the bulb shroud should be flat so when it lays on the floor it stays put facing up. The light shroud should pivot so it can lay on the shop floor angled to direct the light if needed. The cord into the light housing should pivot so the light doesn't fight the set of the cord.
But then, modern battery pack shop lights with flat bottom, pivoting lens head, magnetic base address all that.
I don't have hair to speak of, and even with a couple layers of cardboard the garage floor isn't great for longer sessions. I have really liked the low height and comfort of the HF creeper, though I'm a bit disappointed in the middle wheel breaking out of it. Since the side of the garage I work on is pushed toward the door by a set of shelves, I am pretty routinely dropping those wheels off the lip at the end of my garage floor to the driveway or dragging myself up from the driveway to get under the car. That probably didn't help much.
For now, I'm still rolling on five wheels, but I'll probably be giving the Lisle a shot when things get worse.
For now, I'm still rolling on five wheels, but I'll probably be giving the Lisle a shot when things get worse.
My QuickJack was my 50th, but still requires a creeper
I have been rolling with this one for about 25 years. Not sure if it is still made.
I have been using the same creeper for about the same amount of time,had many skin pinches over the years
also in addition to getting clothes caught up in the wheels.
I am on my 4th set of wheels, the Lisle wheels don't last very long when used on rough concrete, the last set of wheels
I bought were not the lisle wheels but a urethane alternative I found on amazon, time will tell how long they will last.
I wish I could trash the thing and get a 2 post lift but that's not going to be possible for a while.
scooby074
Well-known member
I have both a Bone and a Mac (Whiteside) 6 wheel.
Bone is comfortable, rolls over everything, but is hard to get out of.
Whiteside is a little less comfortable. Catches on clothes sometimes. Harder on neck. Wont roll over a dime lol. Way easier to get out of.
Bone is comfortable, rolls over everything, but is hard to get out of.
Whiteside is a little less comfortable. Catches on clothes sometimes. Harder on neck. Wont roll over a dime lol. Way easier to get out of.
Ton ton
Well-known member
I would recommend starting a trouble light thread, trouble light threads are not very common in garage journal.
wkndwarrior29
Well-known member
I'm curious if anyone on here has experience with the viking creepers? JDTCO posted about them a couple of times and the fanboys went nuts. Priced reasonably on amazon.
Amazon.com: American Forge Viking 57100 HDPE Mechanic Creeper with 6 Casters, 42" Length, 440 lbs Capacity : Industrial & Scientific
Buy American Forge Viking 57100 HDPE Mechanic Creeper with 6 Casters, 42" Length, 440 lbs Capacity: Plate Casters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
I love it..... Cool if $19,900 is loose in one’s pocket!
Wish I had a dollar for everytime I burnt my arm on one of those stupid lights, I hated using them but have not used one in years, next to creepers, I think I hate them the more..
I'm not really sure how it happens but under the right (or wrong) conditions, the skin on my arm gets caught in the wheels, I try to be more careful these days because when it happens, it sure does hurt...How in the hell are you guys pinching skin with a creeper?I get the destroyed wheels but never pinched skin.
andyvh1959
Well-known member
At least now with an LED light bulb in the old trouble light you won't burn you arm on it.
Hat lights, headband lights are also so-so, seems they still don't project enough light, plus I sweat enough as it is, so now a hat or headband getting me to sweat in 90F summer heat is another challenge. A hat working under my pickup is more PIA than its worth. I have seen an LED headband that is thin, and projects light 180 degrees around the head that may be worth trying.
Hmm,...maybe a group of LED puck style lights under a vehicle. One magnetic based light near on each rim or frame section projecting a flood beam up under the vehicle?
Hat lights, headband lights are also so-so, seems they still don't project enough light, plus I sweat enough as it is, so now a hat or headband getting me to sweat in 90F summer heat is another challenge. A hat working under my pickup is more PIA than its worth. I have seen an LED headband that is thin, and projects light 180 degrees around the head that may be worth trying.
Hmm,...maybe a group of LED puck style lights under a vehicle. One magnetic based light near on each rim or frame section projecting a flood beam up under the vehicle?
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Firebrick43
Well-known member
Still holding up 9 years later?
I have to do something, as my POS HF creeper just broke a wheel off.
Anyone use a crepex fastback or stealth longterm?
How about a griots?
Holding up.... hanging on the wall.
I usually just put down a piece of cardboard for oil changes.
When the Mustang goes up on jack stands, I put down a piece of office carpet. So it's not much different than laying on the floor.
Stick-man
Well-known member
WOAH! Man, can I relate to you!!!
I like the plastic Jeepers Creeper the best. Yeah, the wheels aren't the biggest, but it is the most comfortable I have tried, for the price.
F that bone creeper! I had the Bone Rough Rider and yeah, it rolled great....... But it sucked a$$ for working overhead. Those high corners would prevent me from raising my arms to work so everything doesn't fall in my face. One day I got so pissed, we fought, and it kinda went to pieces! Absolute waste of a lot of money.
I like the plastic Jeepers Creeper the best. Yeah, the wheels aren't the biggest, but it is the most comfortable I have tried, for the price.
F that bone creeper! I had the Bone Rough Rider and yeah, it rolled great....... But it sucked a$$ for working overhead. Those high corners would prevent me from raising my arms to work so everything doesn't fall in my face. One day I got so pissed, we fought, and it kinda went to pieces! Absolute waste of a lot of money.
finn
Well-known member
A good sweeping, then a couple layers of cardboard works best for me. Tried carpeting but it’s difficult to scoot on it. Same with rubber pads..
Stop and sweep mid job if the cardboard gets messy.
Haven’t used a creeper in years.
Stop and sweep mid job if the cardboard gets messy.
Haven’t used a creeper in years.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Never owned one before, but a local auction produced 2 that I won. Both are Torin Big Reds that are in next to new shape. I’ll try them both out and keep one and give one to my SIL. One has a couple of extra features the other more of a plain Jane. I might prefer it to laying on cardboard with a layer of grease, oil and other ****.
Very comfortable to lie one, could go to sleep if I’m not careful. Definitely restricts your shoulder movement. The other problem is that it rolls too easily. You need to brace yourself somehow if you’re really trying to pull or push something. Also, I have enough trouble getting up and down off the floor, without having to worry about something skating out from under me while I’m doing it.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I save any large pieces of cardboard for this reason, especially the double thick stuff.
FullRaceMerc
Well-known member
I have a Torin big red. But my rough asphalt driveway is murder on creeper wheels.
I usually use a moving blanket instead. Protects my elbows from the asphalt. Good traction when I need to apply force. More clearance than a creeper. Wash or replace depending on how bad it gets. I carry one when offroading. It doubles for revovery strap deadening & creeper duties And take one bungied to my hand truck when I go to the junkyard.
I usually use a moving blanket instead. Protects my elbows from the asphalt. Good traction when I need to apply force. More clearance than a creeper. Wash or replace depending on how bad it gets. I carry one when offroading. It doubles for revovery strap deadening & creeper duties And take one bungied to my hand truck when I go to the junkyard.
Dad always had a stash of cardboard boxes to lay on since the apron in front of the shop was gravel. Back in HS, I was changing my oil one day and grabbed a nice big triple-wall sheet from stash. Dad wandered by to see how I was doing and was aghast when he saw the sheet of cardboard I'd chosen. He said something like "Don't use the good cardboard for oil changes!". It took me a moment to realize he was serious, but about the same time he realized how silly he sounded and we both cracked up. To this day (close to 25 years later) whenever we're together and see a nice heavy box, one of us will undoubtedly make a comment on how nice the cardboard is, but that we shouldn't use it for oil changes.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Silly?? You need to treat the good cardboard with respect!
Love it, that's a great story
Silly is probably the wrong word. He probably realized in the moment that it really wasn't something worth getting upset about. From that point on, I did make sure to use the single wall cardboard for oil changes though.