Customs Ergonomic Creeper

I am currently in the middle of a very in-depth build of a 1963 Econoline Van. Unfortunately, my cancer diagnosis has delayed the build. I fully expect to be back on the build within the next 6 months. As the result of the cancer I suffered some broken vertebrae which have been addressed. I am looking for information on a creeper that will be safe and comfortable for my new set of cir***stances. The price no doubt will be costly but I am willing to pay for comfort. Has anyone out there purchased such a creeper, all info/reviews welcomed.

Thanks

 

You can buy a Rotary car lift cheaper than this chair! But it is cooool.

 

Something like this might be better than the standard old school creeper. Never used one and rarely use my old school one. Card board is my go to. From what I can gather from the photos it doesn't appear to be adjustable when your on it.But a heck of a lot cheaper than the Human Hoist pictured in the above posting.
https://www.amazon.com/AeroCreeper-...rds=adjustable+creeper&qid=1672350783&sr=8-16

 

I am messed up pretty good, I can roll around on a creeper, the problem with me is getting on and off.

 

Several versions that might work Ergonomic Creeper - Google Search
I don't think I could get up off some of those molded ones anymore.
I've had what was "the good" SnapOn padded creeper with the adjustable headrest for 30 something years but the side rails dig into my shoulders.

 

I’m not as spry as I used to be, at work a few weeks back I had to get on my **** to see into a control box and change some settings. Got done, had to kind of roll to the side then host myself up.
Young man was walking by, “sir are you okay, did you fall”?

I thanked him for his concern, told don’t age.

 

I think that’s most everyone’s problem on this site ! When I drop something on the floor I tell it to **** off 2-3 times before I bend over to get it !!




We have all 3 of these at work and they do work , ya still have to get down on them and up off them is the issue I have .


What I like using is large pieces of card board , at work we also get large prices of a heavy duty foam in 1/2” thick 4’x4’ sections that work well .

Other then the fancy chair @Bandit Billy posted your other option would be to put handrails down a wall or bench to help you get up and down .

At work I just grunt and swear and the young guys laugh at me !

 

When I was younger, I always wondered why my dad used cardboard but now the reason gets clearer every day.

 

In my world, I have determined that an ergonomic creeper is called a four post lift. My Advantage lift has been a game changer, much more so than my slightly older two post lift.

As for creepers, I much prefer a clean, dry, heated floor and a large piece of cardboard to any creeper. The four post lift is best, though, by far.

 

The dogbone style can be easier to use if you need to get off to the side to your knees before standing up like I do…

 

I'm sorry but that creeper does not fall within the Hamb traditional guideline.

 

Traditionally hotroders were much much younger..

 

And I thought I was out of touch using cardboard. I've had several creepers in the past, never liked any of them. Always moving when I had to really put out loosing or tightening something. Were handy for getting under and back out, just miserable to work on. A lot of times I'd roll off of it to work, then roll back on it to come out, or just shove it out of the way. Like a lot of you, getting up is sometimes hard.

 

1245.00 cost, so not cheap. 8.5" clearance on just the unit, so not especially low to the ground. Highly rated for comfort and safety.
https://www.eidosergonomics.com/product/model-107-lowmaster/

 

My wife always asks me why don't I use the Craftsman creeper she bought me a long time ago with the backrest that inclines instead of the cardboard I have been using for years now. I try to explain but....................................
I'm glad to see how many others here do the same thing. The cardboard just works better. Even though I could never afford it I do really like that Human Hoist.

 

Sometimes the creeper fights you. Tonight, the loaded transmission jack stayed still and the creeper moved....

 

The days when I thought creepers were fun, I could not vote nor drink.

 

I remember when my hair would always get caught in the creeper wheels. Got to where I wouldn't use it after tearing out chunks of hair. That's not a problem anymore. Now it's my fat *** that's a problem. Cardboard bicycle boxes for me now.

 

Obviously, there are a variety of creepers that feature a trick or two but reading between the lines I think that there is not enough focus on the "comfort" factor so far. I suspect that bones, muscles, and nerves may be hyper-sensitive and in delicate condition. Maybe a layer of memory foam and/or the blue gel stuff may be part of the answer. Something that supports the back evenly with no "hot spots" to cause issues.

Here's one example I found with a one minute search........
https://www.amazon.com/Gel-Seat-Cushion-Back-Relief/dp/B07JQ2V33Q

 

Thebronc ,
I understand completely,,,,,,I’m recovering from lymphoma in my spine .
They removed the tumor and a vertebrae,,,,I’m better now,,,,,it’s been a year clean so far after the last radiation .
My greatest problem was walking again,,,,,and moving my legs .
And being so weak from all the treatments that I can hardly do anything,,,I didn’t realize the weakness last as long as it has .
I have to pull my self back up by my arms and upper body,,,,,what a struggle.
I’ve learned to adapt and usually just lie down in a blanket,,,,one if those moving blankets from Harbor Freight,,,,they are cheap and work great .
Then I pull my self up after scooting from underneath the vehicle .

It gets better,,,,,,just a little at a time .

I use the at***ude from Gunny Highway,,,,,,,”Learn to adapt,,,,Overcome,,,,”,,,,,!
I’m still trying,,,,it just takes all the nerve you can muster to keep going .

Good luck,,,,,,and I’m sure you can overcome this lifestyle change .
We all have to .

Tommy

 

Good post! It looks like they have a wide variety of products that might apply. Not cheap, but they look like quality and USA made!

 

I don't have any suggestions for you, but I admire your spirit towards getting back at it. The one thing I would suggest is when you've narrowed down your choice(s), consult your doctor to get input as far as padding, etc. is concerned. Good luck and keep on keepin' on!

 

I have 4 creepers now. I use them more for dollies. One 50 years old. A Mac one. One with an adjustable head rest from my kid he got from his salesman and a Lisle creeper I won at a car show that`s made in Clarinda Iowa. The family-owned company is over 100 years old and makes good tools in Iowa. Creepers don`t work to well in gravel in the driveway. I have more trouble with dizziness when getting up. Slow and easy.

 

This is one of the main reason I cut off my long hair about 25 years ago! I suppose I could grow it back now that I have a 4-post lift and rarely use a creeper. This thread is a good reminder that I could use a new creeper though and happen to have a birthday coming up soon and can never think of what to tell anyone I need...

 

Yep, used a creeper way early in my hot rod career, for about 10 minutes. Never again. I'm with the cardboard
crew and also s**** carpet crew. In Denver the cold garage floor can still penetrate the cardboard in the winter.
Where there's a will, there's a way, especially with Hambers......

 

http://coldgon.com/coldgon-products/
After using these at work I almost never use a creeper. Coldgon pads are way better the cardboard. I have three I use regularly. One small kneeling pad I keep in the trailer, and a medium and large pad in the garage.
My biggest problem with creepers was getting shirt sleeves and hair fought in the wheels. The dog bone creepers eliminated that problem, but are hard to get out of. The wheels are enclosed in pods that make it difficult to roll off the side of.

 

For kneeling I use an old foam boogie board. Preferably not the hard bottom ones. Buy them at yard sales for around a buck or so. Always keep a couple of extra on hand because after awhile the foam begins to disintegrate and I replace it from one of the extra ones.

 

Yes, getting our long hair caught in the creeper wheels was always a pain in the ****! One time when I was 17 or so & putting a trans in my 66 Impala, in the driveway I had to have my Mom come out & cut my ponytail out of the creeper wheel! That ****ed!

As I transition into semi-retirement from transporting over the next couple of years, I will probably grow my hair long again (Feel blessed to still have my full head of hair with only some grey)!

WOW the prices of some of those creepers is Scary!!!! Again blessed to not have any health issues & don't have any trouble getting up off of mine, but like Guthriesmith said...This thread reminded me that I need new casters for both my creeper & roll around seat!

KUDOS to the O.P. for his positive at***ude knowing that he will be back working on his van soon! May God be with you in you battle!

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/