The Park Tool headset press I avoided for 7 years was worth every penny

I always did the hammer and block of wood method for headset cups. Thought the press was overpriced and only for shops with money to burn. Last month I did a full restoration on a 1987 Trek 520, and the cups kept going in crooked. After 3 tries with the hammer trick, I got frustrated and borrowed a shop's press. It took me 10 minutes and the cups sat perfectly. Now I look back at all the frames I probably dinged with that hammer. The way the press pushes both cups evenly at the same time is just smarter. I finally bought my own for $85 at a swap meet, barely used. Has anyone else switched from the old school way to a proper tool and felt dumb about not doing it sooner?

2 comments

2 Comments

carr.luna13d ago

Wait till you try a bearing press for bottom brackets...

ruby_bell4713d ago

Grab a heat gun and freeze the frame before you even think about pressing, @carr.luna, saves you from a seized mess. Also, go slow and check alignment twice, rushing it is how you crack something.