Metaluna

Has anyone tried either the Nashbar or Performance Spin Doctor headset press? Are they the same tool? The price is hard to beat compared to the Park. I know building a homemade press is cheaper but for some reason whenever I go that route I always end up spending a lot more than I intended.

CHenry

Half the price of Park and just as good.

Speedub.Nate

At $65, that Nashbar deelie is not bad.

But what problems do you encounter with a $5 homemade headset press?

(link) Homemade Headset Tools

TallRider

I've made a homemade press - although it cost me $20 - and it works great.

CdCf

I built one for about $15. Works great!

fsor

The washer stack, big bolt, method works fine if you are careful for most applications. Some threaded headsets have very flimsy cups and the consequences of getting a little off angle are serious. I bought the Nashbar unit a year ago when it was on sale. It is really heavily built, and comes in a fabric case....I wrapped a thin layer of electrical tape around the inner step to provide a guide for the ID of the cups I was pressing and it was much easier to use than trying to stack washers on a bolt. It is kind of a judgement call as to how much of this work you expect to do. The Nashbar unit looks like it will work well for my motorcycle applications as well, so it was worth it to me. You only have to frag one cup to pay for it. It is a judgement call as to how much use you expect to get and how much the money means to you, I'm happy with mine.

roadfix

This cost me five bucks......and I've used it a zillion times...

well biked

+1........looks just like mine.

SoonerBent

Mine too. Never had a problem.

SB

Metaluna

I haven't tried the homemade press at all so I can't say I've had any problems with it. I just wanted to weigh the pros and cons of a homemade press vs a cheap commercial model. In the past I've embarked on DIY projects and actually ended up spending more than it would have cost to buy a prebuilt unit by the time all the hidden costs were figured in (like not being able to buy 1 of something, but having to by a 10 pack, or needing a special tool etc.). In this instance the homemade press is simple enough that I seriously doubt that would be the case, but anyway it's good to hear peoples' opinions on the Nashbar press, since it's on sale for around $52 for a few more hours (with the 20% off code good through 7/14/06).

P.S. Your link is the best I've seen for describing how to make one of these. Really simple and sweet. I've seen some pretty arcane designs that involve multiple sizes of PVC pipe that fit inside each other and slide inside the head tube, etc, which kind of scared me off. I'll have to try the copper pipe cup remover since I do have some scrap pipe laying around.

Speedub.Nate

I agree with you from the standpoint that the patience or skill of the mechanic has greater importance than the tool being used... but even a $120 Park HHP-2, plus all the right adapters, will mangle a head tube in the hands of a lazy, uncaring or unwary user.

As I point out in my write-up, however, I do find a great difference between using a fine threaded bolt versus a much more common coarse threaded bolt. The UNF presses slower, more evenly, and requires less effort on the part of the installer. Well worth it for anyone trying this method to seek out the finer thread pitch, which at last check was not available at Home Depot.

fsor

The threads on the Nashbar tool are fairly fine. As far as even pressure goes, I think the presence of the ball bearing at the top of the purpose built tool does far more to aliviate undesired moment and torque than a stack of washers. I pressed a lot of bearings with bolts and stacks of washers.....if you are careful, it works fine. But some threaded headsets have very flimsy cups and I think that the ball thrust bearing and the piloted drivers are a help. The notched/quick release height adjustment is convenient. It boils down to money VS time....works for me and I have done it both ways. ymmv It would be overkill for most garage mechanics methinks.

Bobby Lex

But the Nashbar tool is such an awesome looking piece of machinery!

Mine has served me well over the past 5 years or so.

Bob

mayukawa

PricePoint sells a headset press that's pretty much the same one as Nashbar/Performance, but at $49.98.

https://pricepoint.com/detail/14606-3...-Cup-Press.htm

CHenry

Sure looks the same, except for the finish. Great price.