Bicycle Mechanics - Inexpensive fork head press

When I replaced my head bearings and cups I didn't want to damage the cup surfaces by clouting them with a hamme so I took it to the local bike shop. They took the forks into the workshop where I heard them hit it with a hammer!

So I was pleased to find this on the web:

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

Stew

I see you live in the UK. It is common for many shops in Europe to use 'home made' tools. Shops simply cannot afford to buy expensive tools. If the job was done correct then great.


I seen many shops simply use a block of wood and a hammer and no problem. Been doing for years.

However in the USA shops spend much money in many tools. The one I use her eis the Park headset press.

Yep - their hammer wielding seemed to do the job OK.

The url I posted is an alternative to the Park tool, and doesn't require much skill to make - a hacksaw and abou £10.

Stew

I've assembled my own press similar to the one pictured on the link, but instead of the bronze fittings, I just used some large washers that press on the outside edge of the race. I like the bronze fittings though! I'll stop by my LHS (local Hardware shop) on the way home!

As far as the race setting, I found a brass tube that just fits over a 1-1/8 steerer tube. I rounded off the sharp edges and bang away!

Nashbar used to sell a press like the inexpensive one in Stewartp's link. Don't know if they still carry it. Haven't seen one of their catalogs in years. Cost less than $10. at that time.

no, Nashbar doesn't, anymore. I attempted to make such a device, but on my big 64cm frame, the headtube was too long for any carriage bolt I could find. The larger sizes all needed much larger washers, so I broke down and took it to a shop (on the bus, no les!). Cost me $10. Can't really say that building your own press is really worth the hassle.