TOPSIDE CREEPER

[spikejones52002]

A word of caution.

I got a folding ladder that was suppose to let you do several things.

I can not fit it down the isle or in the place where I need to do the work.

[fifedog]

I've found a couple of pieces of scrap plywood, and a well placed knee, work just fine...

[Anonymous]

Our company Northern Auto Parts has sold many REL Topside creepers.  This is the original Topside Creeper and our company is not to be confused with the Northern Tools that is evidently selling something with a name that is close to this one.  We have them in stock and ship the same day orders are received.  You can just Google Topside Creeper and we will come up in the 2nd or 3rd spot. 

We have found that often times when these are shipped the cushion is very slightly damaged on each side when it is punctured.  We have reported this to REL and hopefully that problem gets corrected.  It is a packaging problem on their part.  REL has been good at replacing those cushions for us but often times a little red duct tape over the hole corrects the problem much faster.

One other problem we see is the shipping cost.  UPS keeps telling us they cannot be shipped as a standard oversize box but we fight that and verify our measurements all the time.  Unfortunately that process does cause a day or two delay when UPS holds the order up.  I think that problem is getting resolved and we have seen fewer delays like that.  Shipping costs are still expensive because of the size and weight. 

This is not meant to be a spam post but I did want to point out who we are in light of that Northern Tool post.   If you are looking for one of these or just want to question us about them give us a call.  We have the right price, in stock and you can actually talk to a real live person during business hours which are M-F 8-6 and Sat 8-3.  Phone - 1-800-831-0884

It is a good product and I won't clutter your board with spam posts in the future.

 

Cliff Tufty

President, Northern Auto Parts Warehouse, Sioux City, Iowa  

 

 

 

 

[kpolak]

Do a Google search on Topside Creeper.  I found a lot of these for $199.

And here's one from the Orange County Craig's Lift 

FREE MISC. TOOLS, ETC.--"TOPSIDE CREEPER" FOR WORKING ON ENGINES, SHOP VAC, NUTS BOLTS AND WHATEVER ELSE. I DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THESE ITEMS, SUCH AS CONDITION, YEAR AND MAKE OR ANYTHING ELSE. COME AND GET THEM PLEASE NO E-MAILS OR PHONE CALLS!!
ADDRESS: 8662 WALKER STREET
CYPRESS
PLEASE DO NOT KNOCK AND DO NOT MAKE A MESS!!! EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF GARAGE! WELL, EXCEPT FOR THE HOSE! WILL DELETE AD WHEN EVERYTHING IS GONE! IT IS 4:28 PM SHOP VAC AND BOXES OF NUTS AND BOLT AND MISC. TOOLS ARE GONE!! WHAT IS LEFT IS THE "TOPSIDE CREEPER AND SPEAKER AND SUITCASE!

Kurt

[dbaker48]

Our club bought one a little over a month ago.  I havn't used it, but after it was put together it was a little difficult to find a storage location.  Finally it ended up being stored in the tool room, (logical).  Last week we hand a business meeting and one of the topics was whether or not anyone has seen the instructions for it.  It seems noone could figure out how to open it to use it.  I was laughing so much, I didn't even bother to see if it got opened or not.  As I said I havn't used it, but it sure is big.  I don't plan on having one, nothing to protect, tried to design layout so would not need something like that.  And frequency of use would be difficult to justify need.  If anyone would like to come over and try it out, your more than welcome.

[BILLBOBBOY1]

I finally got the info from Micro-Mark re confusing specs.  The bottom line is the current model folds flat and is 78" long when folded.  The new model, not yet released for sale, will fold to 48" long.  The reply included the comment that all other specs will be the same.  But I wonder if the new model will fold into two or more layers, making it thicker.  Anyway, hope the info is useful.

 

Bill Hudson

[BILLBOBBOY1]

John,

Just a word of caution when you decide to order - there appears to be two or more "counterfeits" out there for sale.  One is called "TOPSIDER CREEPER" and looks very close to the "TOPSIDE CREEPER" but has no castors.  It just slides on the bottom supports.  I would not want to use that item in my train room which has hardwood floors.  It's being sold by NORTHERN TOOLS.

Also, there appears to be more than one version of the original.  The one for sale in the MICRO-MARK catalog has different specs from the one they are selling on their web site.  And, if that isn't confusing enough, their web site picture illustration shows specs different from what is provided in the text description.  I have e-mailed MICRO-MARK asking for clarification.  When I find out what's going on from them, I'll post the results here.

Regards,  

Bill Hudson

[Dave Connolly]

 It was on the OGR Forum. Pretty good review with pictures. I just tried a search with a few keywords and couldn't seem to find it.

[jefelectric]

I've been thinking of buying one of these also, can I ask where you saw the review?

Thanks,

[BILLBOBBOY1]

Dave,

 Thank's for the info.  Micro-Mark has a sale on that item at the moment - $30 off original price.  Even so, the sale price still makes it an investment for me.  I'll take your advice and look around a few days to see if I can find it cheaper.

 

Regards,

Bill 

 

[Dave Connolly]

 I plan to buy one this fall. I read a very favorable report on another forum a while back. I do buy a lot of modeling tools and such from Micro Mark and they offer great service. I also work as a truck mechanic. These were basically designed for working on pickup trucks. Nothing to really stand on these days structually such as bumpers when working under the hoods of these. The taller 4wd's can be a pain and a milk crate gets old fast when you slip off it.

 You may want to check out your locally owned auto parts stores. They often carry tool flyers on the counter. Most often these are in them and the price marked is what you pay. They simply run to a warehouse to pick it up and you pick it up at the store. So there is no shipping involved. Even your local garage may have one you can check out to see if it will fit your needs.

[BILLBOBBOY1]

I recently saw in a MICRO-MARK catalog a step-stool-like contraption, called TOPSIDE CREEPER, that appears to allow you to reach much farther across a layout table than you could otherwise.  I have some areas around my layout that are very difficult to reach; and more access hatches are not a viable option.

I am interested in this device, but wanted to ask if anyone has already purchased it and has some constructive comments as to it's utility.  It's not exactly a cheap tool.