i know a bunch of you guys out there must use these. can someone please recommend me a decent diy headset press?

Here you go https://letmegooglethatforyou.com/?q=diy+headset+press

I am asking for a recommendation not a google search.

Uh, the search produced a bunch of recommendations.

I personally recommend the roadfix press. Available at Home Depot for under $10. I've been using this for the last 15 years.

The only "improvement" I'd make is to replace the long bolt with a 2' length of all-thread rod and a second nut. That gives more adjustability for headtube length and headset stack height.

Mine uses some brass fittings that press on the inside of the cup and not on the lip. I took a couple of headset pieces to Home Depot and found something that works.

Mine says Park HHS-1 on it.....

The above pictured all work. For $50, I'll send you one of those with aluminum press bits and welded on handles. For $10, you could go the threaded rod and nut version at Home Depot/Lowes/Ace.... This topic has also been covered twice in the last few weeks on this very board. Go for a search.

, that is an awesome site

or you can just get a big enough c-clamp from home depot.

https://www.instructables.com/id/How-...stall-a-heads/

the one at the top. only works for 1" cups, but with some minor changes can press 1-1/8" and 1-1/4" cups

This works with most headsets but Chris King is very specific that their cups must be pressed in from the edges of the cups as the bearing cartridges cannot be removed and you must not press on them. I'd use BIG washers for these.

I've usually pressed in all makes of cups from the edges using the big washers mentioned above but use a thick leather disk under them to protect and pad the edges.

That makes sense but since I've never had a CK headset I've never done it. I use the brass fittings in the picture above.

I've pressed 1" & 1 1/8" cups, including CK's using the roadfix press, no problem.

Your press has the great big washers I mentioned and does contact the cups at their edges.

So you'd just rather someone else do your homework? This is a frequent question on forums, just takes a little bit of searching to find the answers. Besides, since seeing that let me google it for you I've been itching to use it Personally I invested in a Park many years ago, as I've got a bunch of bikes and help friends out with theirs. I've also banged a King in with a 2x4 and a hammer with the help of a friend...it's not rocket science.

How about squeezing them down with a big cabinet clamp? You probably have one in the garage.

You can get an actual, honest to God, decent, proper head set press for ~$50.

https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/146...-Cup-Press.htm