Shop / Tools Today I want this...tool edition

zmotorsports

Hardcore Gearhead
Vendor
Location
West Haven, UT
I've wanted a Vyper stool for quite some time now but cringed at the cost to be honest.

My old Snap-on stool that I use at my welding/fabrication table and other low work around the shop has been a good stool over the past 20+ years I've had it but the hydraulic cylinder is failing again (second time in 20+ years) and I am unable to obtain a direct replacement so I thought I'd break down and see what all the hub-bub is about with the Vyper chair.

I had many questions about it so I called them a couple of weeks ago and once they answered all my questions I felt better about it but it's still a shit-ton of money for a stool, even with the small bit of a discount I was given. After doing a bit more pondering I pulled the trigger and it was on my doorstep within a matter of days.

Assembly was easy and straightforward but let's be honest, if you can't assemble a freakin' stool you probably should put the tools down and stay out of the shop or garage. :D


I didn't order anything fancy like special colors or embroidery, just their standard black on black on black. I also opted for the Acme thread stem vs. their quick height adjustment feature. After speaking to Chris @ Vyper Chair he informed me that the quick height doesn't allow for pivot movement on the seat stem, you would have to roll it around on the casters. Although they use very high quality SCC (Specialty Caster Corp.) Casters I didn't think I wanted to rely on the casters to pivot around as my TIG welder is just behind me to the right so I find myself pivoting around to the right to either make adjustments to the welder for various projects or to grab my tungsten sharpener which is on the welder as well. I also don't do a lot of variations in height so the Acme thread would be perfect.

Here it is after assembly and sitting on the ground. I will admit it rolls smooth as butter and is a solid stool. I purchased their Robust Max Steel low profile version which has a height adjustment of 15"-24". My old Snap-on at max height was around 22" so this should work perfectly.
vyp14.jpg

Adjusted to match the old stool.
vyp16.jpg

In place at the fabrication table. At this point I'm glad I got the Acme thread vs. the quick height because I do like the ability to quickly pivot around vs. having to twist the base around on the casters. My floors generally aren't this dirty but I wanted to test it out on a dirty floor so I waited to sweep up.
vyp17.jpg


I've been using the new Vyper stool for about 2 weeks now and although the price tag was a hard pill to swallow, the money is spent and although the jury is still out on whether it was worth the money, I can attest that it is the nicest stool I have owned and is very comfortable for what I use it for.
 

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
I've wanted a Vyper stool for quite some time now but cringed at the cost to be honest.

My old Snap-on stool that I use at my welding/fabrication table and other low work around the shop has been a good stool over the past 20+ years I've had it but the hydraulic cylinder is failing again (second time in 20+ years) and I am unable to obtain a direct replacement so I thought I'd break down and see what all the hub-bub is about with the Vyper chair.

I had many questions about it so I called them a couple of weeks ago and once they answered all my questions I felt better about it but it's still a shit-ton of money for a stool, even with the small bit of a discount I was given. After doing a bit more pondering I pulled the trigger and it was on my doorstep within a matter of days.

Assembly was easy and straightforward but let's be honest, if you can't assemble a freakin' stool you probably should put the tools down and stay out of the shop or garage. :D


I didn't order anything fancy like special colors or embroidery, just their standard black on black on black. I also opted for the Acme thread stem vs. their quick height adjustment feature. After speaking to Chris @ Vyper Chair he informed me that the quick height doesn't allow for pivot movement on the seat stem, you would have to roll it around on the casters. Although they use very high quality SCC (Specialty Caster Corp.) Casters I didn't think I wanted to rely on the casters to pivot around as my TIG welder is just behind me to the right so I find myself pivoting around to the right to either make adjustments to the welder for various projects or to grab my tungsten sharpener which is on the welder as well. I also don't do a lot of variations in height so the Acme thread would be perfect.

Here it is after assembly and sitting on the ground. I will admit it rolls smooth as butter and is a solid stool. I purchased their Robust Max Steel low profile version which has a height adjustment of 15"-24". My old Snap-on at max height was around 22" so this should work perfectly.
View attachment 157985

Adjusted to match the old stool.
View attachment 157986

In place at the fabrication table. At this point I'm glad I got the Acme thread vs. the quick height because I do like the ability to quickly pivot around vs. having to twist the base around on the casters. My floors generally aren't this dirty but I wanted to test it out on a dirty floor so I waited to sweep up.
View attachment 157987


I've been using the new Vyper stool for about 2 weeks now and although the price tag was a hard pill to swallow, the money is spent and although the jury is still out on whether it was worth the money, I can attest that it is the nicest stool I have owned and is very comfortable for what I use it for.

I covet thy stool. 😂

I’ve drooled over those for a few years now. It is hard to justify the cost, though I’m betting it’s easier to justify if I had a TIG welder.
 

zmotorsports

Hardcore Gearhead
Vendor
Location
West Haven, UT
I covet thy stool. 😂

I’ve drooled over those for a few years now. It is hard to justify the cost, though I’m betting it’s easier to justify if I had a TIG welder.

I don't want to sound too critical because I have no issues buying quality over quantity. Buy once/cry once seems to be my motto but this was a bit heavier bite for a stool than even I felt comfortable with which is why I waffled on it for so long before making a decision. Now after having several hours of seat time over the past 2 weeks now I can say it is well built and I have no sense of tipping or instability. I can tell they used quality materials and the fit and finish is excellent so it technically is everything that they advertise.
 

nnnnnate

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Location
WVC, UT
Thats awesome that its actually quality. I've seen them and wondered whether they would be nice or if they were just bling. I bought a surplus doctor stool a couple years ago off ebay after destroying a few budget stools and have been real happy with it. I wish I had 5 wheels instead of 4 but for the $50 or so I spent it works great for me.
 

zmotorsports

Hardcore Gearhead
Vendor
Location
West Haven, UT
Thats awesome that its actually quality. I've seen them and wondered whether they would be nice or if they were just bling. I bought a surplus doctor stool a couple years ago off ebay after destroying a few budget stools and have been real happy with it. I wish I had 5 wheels instead of 4 but for the $50 or so I spent it works great for me.

Nate, it is definitely high quality and not just bling, but it also has nice "curb appeal" if you will. It's pleasing to the eyes. :rofl:

I liked the wider base and five wheels but I was also concerned about it being too wide. I read on one review where a gentleman returned his as it would contact the base of his welding table before he could get close enough to the table. Luckily, or proper planning, when I built my fabrication table I held the top slightly biased to one side where I thought I'd spend the majority of my time sitting and welding. The other side has less overhang but the side I weld from is about 6" more and provides adequate room and the base of the Vyper stool never comes close to the base of my fabrication table.
 

Gravy

Ant Anstead of Dirtbikes
Supporting Member
Leaf blowers.
I want a battery operated one for cleaning the shop or trailer out so I don't have to lug my big gas Husqvarna out for smaller jobs.
Who's happy with a 20/24v one for cleaning the shop?
Or should I spring for the 40v or even 80v?
 

I Lean

Mbryson's hairdresser
Vendor
Location
Utah
Leaf blowers.
I want a battery operated one for cleaning the shop or trailer out so I don't have to lug my big gas Husqvarna out for smaller jobs.
Who's happy with a 20/24v one for cleaning the shop?
Or should I spring for the 40v or even 80v?
I have a Milwaukee 18v that does a great job of this stuff. And happens to use the same batteries as my other tools, so.....
 

moab_cj5

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
I have a Milwaukee 18v that does a great job of this stuff. And happens to use the same batteries as my other tools, so.....
I have the Milwaukee too. It drains a battery pretty fast, but I am content with it since it shares batteries with my other tools.
 
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Kevin B.

Big hippy
Moderator
Location
Vehicular limbo
Leaf blowers.
I want a battery operated one for cleaning the shop or trailer out so I don't have to lug my big gas Husqvarna out for smaller jobs.
Who's happy with a 20/24v one for cleaning the shop?
Or should I spring for the 40v or even 80v?

Picked up an Ego leaf blower when I needed a new battery for the mower and they didn't have any batteries in stock. I haven't used it to blow leaves but I have knocked my wife's hat off from 15 yards away and watched it push my boy up a little hill on his skateboard, so that's pretty good I guess.
 

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
I have a Kobalt 40v and like it. I use it a lot more than I used my corded one- due to convenience factor.
 

Pike2350

Registered User
Location
Salt Lake City
I have the small Rigid 18v jib site blower. It works well for small stuff. I want the larger one but HD doesnt stock it in store...and I haven't ordered it yet.
 

nnnnnate

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Location
WVC, UT
I have/had the dewalt one that I bought bare for about $100. I leaked brake fluid on it from above last summer when I was messing with my busted cruiser and it ate the plastic and broke into a bunch of pieces. It still blows but the tube won't connect. I liked it a lot for the same reasons everyone else has mentioned. I haven't bought a new one. Yet. I probably will though.
 
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