Craftsman Hydraulic Shop Stool

Craftsman Chrome and Vinyl Hydraulic Shop Stool - Review

Shop Organization

I’ve been cleaning out and organizing my basement which is also my shop.  It’s been quite the challenge, but I’ve made a lot of progress, so that now I actually want to be in it testing tools, working on projects, you get the picture.  One of the things that was obviously missing from my basement / shop, was shop stools.  I mean you can’t spend all your time standing up.  Eventually, you’re gonna need a place to sit back, admire your work, and enjoy the cold beverage of your choice.

If you talk to my friend and colleague, Brad Staggs, he will tell you that I am fairly picky when it comes to shop stools.  I complain about his all the time.  I want a chair with a back, I’d prefer the seat be at least a little comfortable, and of course you need swivel.  Who doesn’t like to spin around after a hard day’s work?

Enter the Craftsman Chrome / Vinyl Hydraulic Stool.  I had actually done some research a couple of months ago, and thought this might actually be the chair for me, but when I went in Sears, actually saw them AND saw they sale they were having right before Father’s Day, I KNEW this was the shop stool for me.  In fact, I was so sure, I bought two!

Features:

So why do I like this stool?  Let me show you the ways.  First of all, it was very easy to put together.  I must admit that the first step was to someone take one hand, hold the 4 legs in their position, while attaching the foot rest and base, but once that was done, the rest was very easy.   I saw an online review of this stool from a consumer who said hers were very wobbly.  I think she must not have taken the time to put them together correctly, because mine are not.  And with the adjustable feet (see below) hers shouldn’t be either.

The seat and the backrest are padded and are remarkably comfortable.  I like the fact that the backrest can be raised and lowered just by pulling the levers below.

And the whole back can move in and out by twisting the knobs on the bottom and moving the chrome rails back and forth.  So there are several options to make the different users comfortable.

Now for the hydraulic seat:  Pull the lever under the seat to sit high or low.

The legs are surrounded by a square frame so create a sturdy foot rest, and the black feet on the bottom are slightly adjustable to compensate for mine (and probably your) not quite level shop floor.

Keep your eyes open for a sale:

The Craftsman Chrome / Vinyl Hydraulic Shop Stool usually sells for just under $100, which is not a bad price.  However, if you keep your eyes open, Sears runs several sales a year where you can pick them up for as low as $50 each.

For more info or to purchase from Sears: CLICK HERE