Thoughts On Shop Stools?
 

I'm thinking of getting a shop stool, nothing I would have contemplated when I was younger. I've looked at and rode the Park adjustable shop stool and it seems fine. I've looked at Northern Tool and I see other options that are much cheaper. It appears as though all shop stools have an adjustable range of about 4 inches, the main variation is the maximum height. I'm thinking once you find the height you like it will be set at that height and rarely if ever changed. Any input & insight you guys may have on the topic of shop stools would be appreciated. Thanks

I have issues with being on my feet all day, so I find a shop stool indispensable if I'm working in a shop. I use a rolling stool on casters for jobs at lower work height such as working on the drive train with a bike in the work stand.
last year, I worked 2 days a week for a LBS during the peak season, and although the owner didn't like the idea of mechanics sitting down on the job, I had to make it a condition of continued service.
Just having the chance to get off my feet even for short periods of time made the job doable for me.

I have a z-creeper- works as a regular creeper when working on cars, and folds into a z shape for use as a stool- perfect height for working on bike drivetrains.

only time i sit is when lacing wheels

Northern has so many to pick from and Park is IMHO, expensive.

I use this, a bit slick, but at under $50, I'm not complaining. Wheels are indispensable.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TMM5DO/..._M3T1_ST1_dp_1

http://www.harborfreight.com/pneumat...eat-46319.html

This does the job.

Make your own.
Get an old steel frame, has to be steel.
Make sure it has a seat post, and seat.
Take every thig of the frame, wheel, brakes, crank, etc.
Cut the frame, cut the top tube where it meets the seat tube, cut the down tube where it meets the bottom bracket.
Spread the rear section so the drop outs are about 18 inches apart. Toss the rest of the frame.
reinstall the seat post and seat, adjust the height and angle. And there you go, custom bike themed shop seat.

My "rolly" stool. I think I paid $2 for the boat cushion at a rummage sale. Rest was re-purposed stuff. Milk crate, scrap plywood wheels, 1x2 scrap a few drywall screws. I have the base cut to use a small crate also. Crate is removable to use as a step stool without rolling.

I found an old office chair with rollers at a Goodwill for $5 and took the back off---perfect after 5 years so far. That Harbor Freight one for $26 looks good and it has the tray at the bottom which will come in handy.

I have an office chair/stool as well- the seat was trashed, & I used the back cushion as the seat. Compact, but it lives in the office now.

The Harbor Freight stool rolls better, and plays well with grease. I do use the height adjustment depending on the task.