Need a new Creeper

['52Chevy]

Well my creeper gave up the ghost today. It was a metal frame Power Torque from O'Reilley's. Had adjustable headrest, other than that nothing special. Bought it about 16 months ago, but only has a 1 year warranty. I hadn't realized it had been over a year, so I took it into O'Reilley to warranty it, but it's out of warranty. The failure was all 3 welds on the right side cracked. Likely started a while ago(and were never welded great to begin with).

Anyway of course they tried to sell me another one, but I don't want another one that's going to break just after the warranty period. I also know they are more expensive in store than from other online sources. I bought this one when an unexpected project came up, and I didn't have one.

After I said I didn't want one of these again, and was looking at the other options(they have a plastic one like Harbor Freight sells) but for $75. Anyway the associate tried to tell me to buy a Snap-on.

So to the point of the post. What creepers does everyone recommend? I did like the adjustable headrest. I am considering a plastic one from HF or similar. But just curious what everyone's opinions are. This is just for at home garage use.

 

[Wrench97]

Great excuse to buy a mig welder?

I use the lisle plastic creepers have decent luck with them they last about 2 years used everyday.

 

[WWheeler]

 

[619DioFan]

I bought the plastic one from HF based on it having a 300 lb capacity ( I am 6'4'' and 280 ) got on it and it flexed down to the floor and would not move. instead of taking it back I welded up a metal frame for under it ( already had the metal ) once reinforced it has worked ok.
Just an FYI in case you are a bigger guy.

 

[Skyman]

My advice is to buy one that has bends in the frame that allow the frame to dip down lower beneath your shoulders, and buy one that has an adjustable tilt headrest. Here's one to consider: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHT8151341?impressionRank=3

 

[ItsNemo]

I'm another Lisle Jeepers Creepers user....but if it's just a few broken welds, seems like a good excuse to fix it and not spend money on another creeper just yet.

 

[scooby074]

I have 2. A Mac (Whiteside) and a Bone. Theyre both great. The Bone will really lock onto your back and let you roll over most things that stop standard creepers. The Whiteside is much easier to get out of. Neck support is essential if youre going to be under a car for a while. The bone has no support so it does get a bit hard on the neck after a while.

 

[Qualitytools]

Try the Dog Bone creeper, works well they have different ones.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Try the Dog Bone creeper, works well they have different ones.

Out of business.

The Lisle plastic creepers are widely rebranded for a reason, they work and are decent quality.

The cheap HF and similar knockoffs are junk.

Snap Ons are mainly white side relabels with some unique to Snap On models

 

[Qualitytools]

Out of business.

The Lisle plastic creepers are widely rebranded for a reason, they work and are decent quality.

The cheap HF and similar knockoffs are junk.

Snap Ons are mainly white side relabels with some unique to Snap On models

I just saw your post so I had to look and this is what I found:

The Bone™ Creepers

100% American Made Mechanics Creepers

www.bonecreeper.com

i purchased mine back in 1997!

 

[RedneckWelder]

I just saw your post so I had to look and this is what I found:

The Bone™ Creepers

100% American Made Mechanics Creepers

www.bonecreeper.com

Just because the website is up doesn’t mean anyone’s home. There have been threads on here about it. The guy behind them died a couple years ago.

I found out when I tried to buy one to try.

 

[Qualitytools]

Just because the website is up doesn’t mean anyone’s home. There have been threads on here about it. The guy behind them died a couple years ago.

I found out when I tried to buy one to try.

Good information, thanks for sharing. I got mine at the SEMA show and it’s signed in the back by the guy that invented it. Too bad, it’s a good product.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Good information, thanks for sharing. I got mine at the SEMA show and it’s signed in the back by the guy that invented it. Too bad, it’s a good product.

The small companies that are essentially one man driven typically do their thing very well but tend to not have as much luck with succession unfortunately.

When my father died suddenly five years ago we had to immediately shut his business down and could not complete the in process work (but refunded the money for those jobs) and had to cancel incoming work. We hated leaving his regular customers in a lurch but what do you do when all three of us kids were well into our own careers and were living out of range of his market?

I still have hope that another company will take over but I doubt it at this point. The high quality extremely durable built for the rough environment creeper market is not exactly flush with choices.

 

[65k10]

Regarding Bone creepers, I did find this video from Sema 22 that indicates that they are supposed to be back in production by Shinn Fu America.

Going to SFA's website does show several models under their Pro-Lift line. https://www.shinnfuamerica.com/ProductCategory/CreepersandSeats/28

The trouble is I can't actually find any for sale. Hopefully they are just behind since I would like a second Rough Rider.

 

[zmotorsports]

I had an older Snap-on with the adjustable headrest for 20+ years but gave it to my son a few years ago when he purchased his home. I then bought the new Snap-on low profile with larger casters and LOVE this thing. It is also a bit wider than the previous model and has the recesses or lowered rails around the shoulder area. This is exceptionally helpful as my shoulders don't get pinched while moving around under a vehicle working on something. Granted, with a 2-post lift I try not to work on things needing a creeper these days but a good quality creeper is still a must at my shop as I still use one quite a bit.

Here is a link to the Snap-on creeper I now have.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

They also make one with an adjustable headrest but I didn't get that option with my latest creeper. I found myself not using it much in the previous creeper.

 

[M635_Guy]

I bought the plastic one from HF based on it having a 300 lb capacity ( I am 6'4'' and 280 ) got on it and it flexed down to the floor and would not move. instead of taking it back I welded up a metal frame for under it ( already had the metal ) once reinforced it has worked ok.
Just an FYI in case you are a bigger guy.

I'm a bigger guy too, and what eventually happened was one of the middle wheels snapped off. I can't really blame it since I was rolling up and down the lip at the transition from my driveway and garage, which is about half an inch, but especially making that poor thing climb the lip with my ~275lb was more than the small, narrow plate with 2 bolting points could deal with. It would probably have been fine with a life of level surfaces. (I didn't have any problems with sagging)

I replaced it with the 400lb-rated Icon, which is MUCH stiffer and far nicer. And the wheels are bolted at 4 points each vs. just two. It's performed very well for me.



I really like the magnetic plates on either side of the headrest - great for lights.

 

[71goldss]

I’m impressed with the looks of that Icon creeper. If only I liked using creepers! Oh well!

 

[Wrench97]

I had one of those Pittsburg creepers here at the house the wheels lasted about 12' on the rough concrete driveway..........................

 

[nadogail]

Why buy a new Creeper when you can repair and possibly improve your old one? My creeper was found broken in the alley, I brought it home and replaced the broken pine board with a piece of Oak, about 23 years ago.

 

[WWheeler]

If shopping for one Creepex's creepers ought to be on anyone's short list of considerations.

I don't typically use a creeper myself very much BUT one of the major reasons I don't l;ike them is while on one I never could get any leverage to turn a wrench because all of the wheels on the damn creeper move in any direction. I'd have to slip off of the creeper too often to do whatever it was I rolled under there to do. Creepex claims to have solved that issue because the large wheels at your hips don't swivel. Only the swivel under your head does, a design which affords you to get some leverage on a wrench and also looks to make them extremely mobile and go over obstructions like cords and cracks better.

I've almost pulled the plug on the Fastback Pro but never got over the price. I see they now have a newer cheaper model, the FastBack Stealth. I wonder if I buy this one will it also stay hanging on the wall while I use an HDTV box instead?

Creepers Archives - Creepex INC.

creepex.com

 

[zmotorsports]

If money is not object, while I was purchasing my recent Vyper welding stool I happened to notice that they also make a creeper.

I'm not sure I like the cloth back support but I like other features of it being low profile and having the wheels covered.

LAY-DOWN CREEPER

Being the hard worker you are, every tool you use on a daily basis must be able to keep up with you. Let's just cut to the chase, that tiny little creeper you have isn't keeping up with you. That's why we built the Vyper Lay-Down Creeper like a tank so it can handle the abuse you put it through...

www.vyperindustrial.com

Not exactly practical for the majority of us but I just had to post it up as a consideration. You know, in case you had $600 burning a hole in your pocket and didn't know what else to spend it on.

 

[M635_Guy]

That thing looks really nice. $190 delivered ain't cheap, but doesn't strike me as too much for such a cool design. I'd rather they put magnetic plates on there vs. their own lights, but...

 

['52Chevy]

Great excuse to buy a mig welder?

I use the lisle plastic creepers have decent luck with them they last about 2 years used everyday.

I'm another Lisle Jeepers Creepers user....but if it's just a few broken welds, seems like a good excuse to fix it and not spend money on another creeper just yet.

Why buy a new Creeper when you can repair and possibly improve your old one? My creeper was found broken in the alley, I brought it home and replaced the broken pine board with a piece of Oak, about 23 years ago.

If I had a welder I would fix it. Figured it's a good time to upgrade for a better option.

If shopping for one Creepex's creepers ought to be on anyone's short list of considerations.

I don't typically use a creeper myself very much BUT one of the major reasons I don't l;ike them is while on one I never could get any leverage to turn a wrench because all of the wheels on the damn creeper move in any direction. I'd have to slip off of the creeper too often to do whatever it was I rolled under there to do. Creepex claims to have solved that issue because the large wheels at your hips don't swivel. Only the swivel under your head does, a design which affords you to get some leverage on a wrench and also looks to make them extremely mobile and go over obstructions like cords and cracks better.

I've almost pulled the plug on the Fastback Pro but never got over the price. I see they now have a newer cheaper model, the FastBack Stealth. I wonder if I buy this one will it also stay hanging on the wall while I use an HDTV box instead?

Creepers Archives - Creepex INC.

creepex.com

This seems to be the winner! I'm not buying right now because I'm about to be gone for 6 months but this seems ideal for my smaller work space.

 

[Walkers]

Great excuse to buy a mig welder?

I use the lisle plastic creepers have decent luck with them they last about 2 years used everyday.

I like the way you think. Unfortunately it is just not grandiose enough. It is a great excuse to put in a 2 post lift! No room? Then it is a great excuse to build a shop!

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I have the Snap on creeper nice and comfortable, upgrade but more $ vs the blanket and cardboard. My labor comfortable while working.

 

[driftpin]

Picked up a HFT red plastic creeper in a ongoing clean-out at an industrial area in Miami. It needed a bit of repair, but since it's done OK by me, for my 200+ lbs. Same time, I also got a benchtop HFT media blaster, which my 705 Saylor-Beall has no problem supplying with air. It also needed some parts, but it's doing what I need, OK. I like 'free.'

 

[zendriver]

I like the Icon creeper.

Not used it extensively yet, best thing I like about it, it is designed to be super comfortable to work laying on my side.