| Hello and welcome back to our short series on | | | | here is what you want to look for. You will want |
| auto mechanics tools for the new auto mechanic | | | | to find one that has ball bearing casters that can |
| weekend warrior. In previous articles we have | | | | rotate in 360 degrees. Locking casters are the |
| covered the basic tools you should consider | | | | supreme choice, but aren't required. If made out |
| buying if you are getting into automotive work | | | | of steel, examine the welds to ensure that they |
| and what to look for when buying them. In | | | | are even and complete. If there is padding on it, |
| today's article we are going to talk about | | | | look at the covering very well. If it appears to be |
| creepers. The reason for a discussion on creepers | | | | very thin, avoid it. Thin vinyl covering becomes |
| is that often I see guys spend a lot of money on | | | | torn or ripped very quickly and that can be |
| a creeper and get very little benefit out of it. If | | | | uncomfortable to lay on. Also, because of the |
| you don't know what a creeper is, it's just | | | | fluids in the car, if they soak into the foam |
| basically a board with casters under it that will | | | | padding, you may never get it out meaning that |
| allow you to lie on your back and move around | | | | you may have to buy a new creeper. So trust |
| easily. | | | | me, examine the covering that's over the padding |
| If you are one of those fortunate enough to | | | | very well. The last thing would be to actually lay |
| already have some carpentry skills and tools, you | | | | on it if you can. Make sure it's comfortable for |
| can build one of these yourself for less than what | | | | you to lie on and move around on. |
| they cost in a store. I've seen them done with | | | | There you have it. Now you have a better idea |
| plywood and roller skate wheels although I would | | | | of what to look for in a creeper, or maybe a |
| suggest something a bit sturdier than that. Building | | | | start on making one your own. I'll tell you that the |
| a 2x2 or 2x4 frame with plywood on top is a | | | | one I use almost daily is homemade, but only |
| good start. Putting some industrial carpeting on | | | | because I wanted memory foam padding. That's |
| the top of it, an old blanket, or vinyl covered | | | | completely a choice issue, but no matter which |
| padding is also to good options to improve the | | | | direction you go having a comfortable creeper is |
| comfort of your home made creeper. | | | | easy and can be pretty inexpensive. |
| Now, if you have your heart set on buying one, | | | | |