After rolling around on the cement working on my most recent project on an old 2007 Xterra SUV, I decided I wanted a rolling mechanic's seat. Most of these guys are on three or four wheels, and seats that are 17 inches high, just about right for all kinds of mechanical and detailing work.

Anyway, I ran down to my local auto/industrial supplies retailer, and purchased a small unit with a drawer. Paid a little more because I thought it might be a little better then the exact same internet varieties, but it wasn't, so I took it back. I doubt it would have lasted very long, and thought the extra $69 could go toward a more durable chair.

So far I'm batting zero, most everything available in this type of garage accessory are pretty cheaply made as far as I can tell.

So do you guys have/use/purchased a truly durable rolling mechanic's seat for Driveway cement DIY working on cars ? As far as I can tell, so far, they just don't exist.

Any ideas or recommendations appreciated, esp from those who have something that works for them working on vehicles from the ground on their driveway without a lift inside a garage, esp. for wheels/bearings/brake work etc. where you're not standing up over the engine.

I was just thinking the same ... after both finding it difficult in my older age getting down low to work on my cars and after seeing one at Costco and wondering if it was worth it quality wise.

Will be following too.

I'll have to check he brand when I get home, mine has 4 wheels & 3 drawers in a mini box at the base, also has a recessed tray at the top.

So far, seems to be holding up well, though one of the drawers tends to slide open when the chair rolls.

Edit: Brand is Pro-Lift. The toolbox is thinish metal, but suits my purpose well enough. It's a height adjustable padded seat, too.

I've got their lay down creeper too, and it was low enough for getting under my sport suspension Mercedes (on Jack stands, obviously)

Think this is it
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pr...&gclsrc=ds&gclsrc=ds

No drawers but an organizing tray.
https://www.griotsgarage.com/k...neumatic-creeper-ii/

 
I have a Sunex rolling mechanic's seat, 4 wheels and a tray at the bottom. The seat goes up and down on a piston, and I've found the right height for just about any low job. I don't know if they even still make it, as I've had mine for 20 years. It is not as fancy (nor expensive) as some I've seen, but it works, well. I've seen the same seat under other brands, too.

For under the car, I just use a piece of cardboard.

I have a Craftsman I bought about 20 years ago for $50 if memory serves. It's been great, especially for changing tires as kneeling for me is a no-go. Mine has a tray underneath that's handy for tossing tools, lugnuts, gloves, etc.

What Craftsman sells now looks like junk. I did see this one that looks like it's made with a steel frame. The seat may wear out first but that seems easily replacable:
mechanic seat

I have a Snap On that I bought about 20 years ago. Still going strong after being used in an industrial environment for 10+ years and at home after my retirement. Nothing particularly fancy about it but apparently good materials as it has held up well. Padded seat, tray at base and a drawer under tray. I bought Snap On because the truck stopped at our plant but the vast majority of my purchases from them has been very suitable for my use.

No matter whether you acquire a rolling stool or a creeper NEVER use or purchase one with steel wheels. A shop mechanic local to me burned to death from a tragic gasoline fire(from fumes and/or a drip) ignited by a spark generated by a steel wheel moved across their concrete shop floor. He was under the car when he moved his creeper...and never got to one of their fire extinguishers. That was several decades ago and perhaps those are no longer common, but...

I picked one up about ten years ago at our local tractor supply. I have spent countless hours on that thing and it is still going strong. Four hard rubber wheels, padded seat and a tray. It was $25.

quote:

Originally posted by bettysnephew:
I have a Snap On that I bought about 20 years ago. Still going strong after being used in an industrial environment for 10+ years and at home after my retirement. Nothing particularly fancy about it but apparently good materials as it has held up well. Padded seat, tray at base and a drawer under tray. I bought Snap On because the truck stopped at our plant but the vast majority of my purchases from them has been very suitable for my use.

I probably have an older Snap On rolling seat. It's not fancy but very durable. It's been used around our shop for over 30 years and is still in use even though we have lifts. The new ones have a drawer under the seat and are pricey. Try finding an older one at garage sales, fleabay,ect.

I have a SnapOn I've had since 1993, so going on 30 years old.

It has a round seat and a red padded seat cover.

The seat cover itself is fine but the cushion material has broken down. It's a simple matter to remove the upholstered cover, then I'll go down to a local upholstery shop and get some really dense foam.

I keep getting ads for a Dewalt brand roll around creeper seat, I have no idea if they are any good or not.
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quote:

Originally posted by Orthogonal:
No matter whether you acquire a rolling stool or a creeper NEVER use or purchase one with steel wheels. A shop mechanic local to me burned to death from a tragic gasoline fire(from fumes and/or a drip) ignited by a spark generated by a steel wheel moved across their concrete shop floor. He was under the car when he moved his creeper...and never got to one of their fire extinguishers. That was several decades ago and perhaps those are no longer common, but...

I have one at work that I use sometimes.
I have four creepers at work. I had one with pneumatic tires at home for working out in the dirt.

I have a Snap-on stool at home that I've had since the mid 90's.
I went with a 4 wheel adjustable stool at work from Mac.

Personally, this it one of the few things I’d layout the coin for a Snap-On item.

OP, I had someone weld rollers onto my old motorcycle stand…works perfect. I put a piece of plywood on it and a towel over than and I can roll around in bliss like a kid at the doctors office..

You could always get one of these. I really want one, even though I wouldn’t use it too often.

quote:

Originally posted by Orthogonal:
No matter whether you acquire a rolling stool or a creeper NEVER use or purchase one with steel wheels. A shop mechanic local to me burned to death from a tragic gasoline fire(from fumes and/or a drip) ignited by a spark generated by a steel wheel moved across their concrete shop floor. He was under the car when he moved his creeper...and never got to one of their fire extinguishers. That was several decades ago and perhaps those are no longer common, but...

Orth, that's very good to know. Thanks man.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
OP, I had someone weld rollers onto my old motorcycle stand…works perfect. I put a piece of plywood on it and a towel over than and I can roll around in bliss like a kid at the doctors office..

Hhmmm, sounds good, given a motorcycle stand would be strong and compact. I'm gonna study that. Thanks Mike.

I like the Traxion 700 seat. I've bought a dozen or so of then, and everybody's always stealing them. They don't tip easily over a screw or air hose, roll easily, the seat is comfortable, the tray wide enough for tools and parts without losing the part, and they work really well. Every time I show up with one in a shop, others want it.

https://traxionproducts.com/pr...ts/progear-race-seat

I also use the aerocreeper.

https://aerocreeper.com