Bicycle Mechanics - Anyone use a Park HHP-3 headset press?

I've used Campy and Park headset presses before but these days, I can barely afford air for the bike. Anyway, anyone have these economy headset press? Worth it? Does it work? I'd like to get the correct tool and if it is from Park, it can't be that bad right?
Like to hear from someone who's used one of these. I've seen a review from someone but that's just one guy who said that it couldn't keep the cups aligned. There was a guy on ebay who used to sell a very large screw with nuts on both ends. Ingenious.

There was a guy on ebay who used to sell a very large screw with nuts on both ends. Ingenious.

That's all you need for occasional use. Get a big bolt, washers and a nut and you've got yourself a headset press for somewhere in the range of $5. I've also used a hammer and two-by-four, but I like my homeade nut-and-bolt press better-

That's all you need for occasional use. Get a big bolt, washers and a nut and you've got yourself a headset press for somewhere in the range of $5. I've also used a hammer and two-by-four, but I like my homeade press better-

As an ex-shop mechanic, I used to make fun of the 2x4 and hammer guys (Sunday mechanics coming to the shop on Monday for me to fix what they broke). Last year, I had to desperately put a headset on my old Gios. I used a 2x4, large screwdrivers, and a hammer.

I've become a FRED. Long live FRED!

I think I like the big a$$ screw and bolt thing from ebay. Its so McGuyver.

As an ex-shop mechanic, I used to make fun of the 2x4 and hammer guys (Sunday mechanics coming to the shop on Monday for me to fix what they broke). Last year, I had to desperately put a headset on my old Gios. I used a 2x4, large screwdrivers, and a hammer.

I've become a FRED. Long live FRED!

I think I like the big a$$ screw and bolt thing from ebay. Its so McGuyver.

Funny, I always thought of FRED as the guy who had never heard of a homeade press and took his bike to the shop to have a headset installed-

Funny, I always thought of FRED as the guy who had never heard of a homeade press and took his bike to the shop to have a headset installed-

Dang, I'm so out of the times I don't even know the definition of Fred :)

We need a new term for McGuyver mechanics.

http://www.mindspring.com/~d.g1/headset.html

Heck, I may not know my "definitions" either. But seriously, I've installed a bunch of headset cups with the nut-and-bolt method, it works fine, just be careful with alignment as you get started. I really don't think for occasional use it's worth it to buy an expensive press-

I am in the process of using the BA bolt (3/4 " by 8 " in my case), and have the headset 1/2 in......but it seems like I am using a lot of pressure........how much torque should I be expecting to put on the wrench? it may be that it is just awkward holding a cresent on the bottom and top (with the frame not real well secured)

sorry for the hijack....but it seems sort of relevant

http://www.mindspring.com/~d.g1/headset.html

Nice link!
That's so Mcguyver! I love it.

I think I like the big a$$ screw and bolt thing from ebay.

Ebay???? Why not your corner hardware store?

Here's my 15 year old headset press.....and yes, the cups do go in straight without fancy brass bushings.

Ebay???? Why not your corner hardware store?

Here's my 15 year old headset press.....and yes, the cups do go in straight without fancy brass bushings.

Cool!
Say, I think we rode together at end of summer last year. Up Jamboree and Santio Cyn with other SoCal BF'ers.

Your tool, does it have th brass bushing or just 2 large washers?

Hmm.. is the result of having the headset cups go in not quite straight a damaged head tube?

Just wondering whether it's worth trying this, or paying the shop $15 to do it..

I'd prefer to do it myself, but it's a brand new frame...

Cool!
Say, I think we rode together at end of summer last year. Up Jamboree and Santio Cyn with other SoCal BF'ers.

Your tool, does it have th brass bushing or just 2 large washers?

Hi Eric......yes, we rode together with the BF group last summer! :)

No brass bushings on my tool. I just made sure the washers were thick and beefy. I'm always working on a project bike so this is a practical solution for me. I've used this press on brand new frames as well.

what do you guys use, (from Ace Hardware or Home Depot) to put in the fork race?

what do you guys use, (from Ace Hardware or Home Depot) to put in the fork race?

PVC pipe of the correct inside diameter works very well-

That's all you need for occasional use. Get a big bolt, washers and a nut and you've got yourself a headset press for somewhere in the range of $5. I've also used a hammer and two-by-four, but I like my homeade nut-and-bolt press better-


Actually, www.instructables.com has a guide on how to build/operate one. Cool stuff, just search bikes & headset, or just bikes and im sure you could find the instructable.

Actually, www.instructables.com

Good stuff!

Actually, www.instructables.com has a guide on how to build/operate one. Cool stuff, just search bikes & headset, or just bikes and im sure you could find the instructable.

That's a cool site. But the homeade "press" I use is exactly like the one The Fixer posted above, and it works great. No need for instructions beyond what's already been said. Just make sure of the alignment as the cups go in, and get a bolt of the right length. And actually, the way astrodaimler has done it with a length of all-thread instead of a standard bolt, it will work on pretty much all headtube lengths if the all-thread is long enough-

As far as dealing with different headtube lengths, I simply stack more washers for shorter head tubes. That's only if the rod isn't threaded the entire length.

If the cups are the correct size for the head tube and you have some common sense, it's pretty easy to install them with two wooden blocks and a hammer.

This is an occasionally but well-chewed topic. The Park tool is nice. The Nashbar-branded tool, which is often discounted, is just as effective. The Pedro's tool is also very nice. I suppose the big bolt deal is just fine too for the very few times the non-shop mechanic needs to press a headset. I guess if you are going to hang it on the wall as art between uses, my vote goes for the Pedros.

I added a couple of pieces of 4" long scrap oak flooring at either end (with a hole for the bolt). I can tap on the appropriate side with a small hammer to enhance the allignment of the cups as I tighten the nut........works extremely well with steel and aluminum....it takes a little more force on titanium but still works well. I feel that the wood assures that the cups maintain their proper shape (especially if they are aluminum).
The Park headset cup removal tool is well worth the price though!