Yellowbeard, I have to disagree about your method for adjusting the front derailler. Unless you are absolutely sure the limit screws are set correctly, any front derailler adjustments should be done as a fully reinstall. Remove cable and start from step one. Anything else is a waste of time. BTDT.

As for pressing harder on the levers, for a shift from one chainring to the next, you'll want to fully depress the lever. Anything less and you'll only hit the trim click. The best thing you could do is to put the bike on a stand (or figure out a way to hang it) and work the front shifter while turning the cranks. Try both half lever pushes and full and watch the different reactions by the front derailler.

Front derailler set up does not require any special tools. It does require some patience, an understanding of what's going on, and the ability to follow instructions. The basics are letting out all the cable from the shifter, setting the low stop screw with chain in the small/big combo, attaching the cable and adding tension until the shift to the big ring is successful, then adjusting the high stop screw to keep the derailler from throwing the chain while getting clearance for the big/small combo. Triples add in a few more steps but that's of no concern to you.