I have a new fork and noticed that the steerer is not machined at the crown race seat. It's a 1 1/8" alloy steerer and measures 30.1 mm at the bottom of the steerer but the material is 'raw' and not machined. I've taken it to 2 bike shops who think I just need to press the crown race on. I think this part of the tube should be machined with something like a Park CRC-1. When I place the crown race on the steerer it stops about 1" above the bottom of the steerer, just where the steerer starts to taper to its max diameter. I'm used to seeing a 2-3 mm high section of the steerer that holds the race and it's always been machined. Should I just try to press the crown race on or should I get the steerer machined first?

Based on your description I’d say get the crown machined. If you can’t find a bike shop to do the job look for a machinist – one quick cut with his lathe and you’re down the road (take the required measurement with you).

when i made my last fork (1" steerer) i took it to a machine shop and had them cut it down a little before using the crown race cutter at the LBS. i would have the machine shop leave it a little large, a lathe isn't quite as accurate as a real crown race cutter. or it can be, but it takes a lot more time.

oh, and don't go back to those LBS's. find someone who actually knows something.

sheldon says the crown race should be inner diameter=30.0
are you sure you got the right crown race?