Too true--improvised method of removing and replacing cotter can too easily go horribly wrong. IMHO, it's well worth buying the proper press--Bikesmith designs makes a great one. They're not cheap, but the cost of the press is comparable to the cost of taking it to a shop and paying them to do the work. Plus there's no guarantee that the shop won't screw it up. Once you own the press you're set for life.