Hey everyone,

I started painting bikes a long time ago and now that the word has spread my hobby has started to turn into a job, doing a new bike for some one about every two weeks. I started out with beater bikes and fixies where I did not have to worry about messing up the components when I took them off or reinstalled them (I strip the bike to the frame and then paint it then build it back up). Now that I started with higher end bikes I decided I better get quality tools to make sure I don't screw up any expensive components. I have the tools for most of the bike and the basics (bottom bracket tools, torque wrenches, plenty of grease and antiseize etc.) except for the headset. I had been using a homemade press and it worked well enough. I recently invested in a quality park press and headcup remover, but was wondering what else people might recommend. I am doing this frequently enough that I want quality tools, but don't make a ton of money doing it so would prefer to keep costs down if I could (again it's more of a hobby). I was looking at crown race pullers and setters, but heard a lot of people don't bother with them. What else should I be looking at? I tape well, so I'm not too worried about reaming.

Also, how often does pulling a headset with the park tool (RT1) mess up the headset? I make sure everyone knows that I don't cover any problems with dissasembly and assembly, but I'd still rather avoid the whole situation. I have stripped and rebuilt over a hundred bikes now so I am pretty good at it, but figure better safe than sorry.

Thanks far the help

Why would the RT-1 mess up a headset? When it is being tapped on it should only be in contact with lip of the cup that is pressed into the frame. Are you using yours correctly or am I missing a critical detail of how this tool, that has been in my kit for long time and been used effectively many times, should be used?

-j