Originally Posted by
Pars
Park Tool probably has info on how to do, as well as Sheldon Brown's site. I always used to do the cups with a block of wood and a hammer back in the '70s/'80s, just make sure they are straight and not cocked and go slowly. Probably not the best advice now. You can make your own headset press with a long bolt and some big fender washers and a nut. Same for the crown race set; a piece of thick wall 1" PVC tubing and a cap, just make sure the ends are square.
While I agree with you on the technical aspect, the most important thing to make sure of is that the headset is the right one. There are quite a few types out there, and the differences between them are subtle, but sufficient enough to break either the cup or the headtube on installation.
It pays to check and double check, and I have found a vernier gauge has become a very useful item in my tool collection.