"How did you make your homemade press? I'd like to have one because it would be a lot cheaper to keep everything as is. I just don't want to mess around and search for cotter each time I want to lube the BB. I don't lube the BB that often but when I must I want peace of mind."

I used a tie-rod end press. All I did was remove the swivel from the threaded end. The slot on the non-moving end of the press is wide enough to allow the cotter to be pressed through. I can't remember where I got the tool but it was cheap, probably around $10.
Sandy