Homemade Headset Removal Tool

[jr14]

Figured I'd throw this one in too.

These are my three attempts at a removal tool.

The first is black iron pipe. Too heavy, and I was afraid to use it for fear of damaging the frame. (I just haven't thrown it out yet)

Second is copper pipe, but too short.

Third is the one I use and it's one 10" long piece 3/4" copper pipe. Two cuts 4" deep, and some electricians tape for looks.

Money saved.

[Bill]

Umm my request answered lol, awesome handy work!!!

[jr14]

Thanks. I actually found another I forgot about. It only has one cut, but the problem with that, is it doesn't QUITE conform to the inside of the head tube like the quartered one does. This one was free by the way. Thanks to the junk pile at work.

[Jordan300]

Damn, I just spend 27.95 for one of those.

[tino]

nice jr im going to try to make one too

[Alex Ramon]

Awesome, thanks for posting this!

[jr14]

No problem. When I started buying tools, I had next to no money available, and I REALLY needed these tools, so I had to make them.

Also, the copper is an ideal material, since it's so soft compared to any material a frame is made out of. Just make sure you de-bur the end you cut, so it doesn't scratch anything, ESPECIALLY a carbon head tube.

[jr14]

I just removed another headset with this, and the bike is a very large frame, so the head tube is longer than normal, so the tool only stuck out about an inch.

Long story short, I have to face the head tube now, because I dinged it up with the shop hammer. And depending on how bad it is, I might have to shave a little off the steerer too.

Lesson to be learned? Get an 18" copper pipe instead of a 10" and save your frame.

[tino]

Nice Jr do you have any home made Stur Nut Installer ?.

[jr14]

(01-24-2010, 02:43 PM)tino Wrote:  Nice Jr dou you have any home made Stur Nut Installer ?.

Sure do!

Just get a 22mm (7/8 inch) deep socket for 1" steerer tubes, and a 24mm (1 inch) deep socket for 1 1/8 inch steerer tube and mark 15mm on the side for the depth.

Tap the star nut in flush with the top of the steerer tube, then use the socket to drive it down to the 15mm mark.

You can pick up a couple cheap sockets for about $3 a piece.

Works like a charm.

I wish I had pics, but I haven't done a star nut install in a couple weeks.

P.S. - The 24mm socket does work on 1.5 inch downhill steerer tubes. But since I only work on one downhill bike, I haven't had the need to pick up a new socket.

[LeonardLeatherhead]

hi can you use an old seat post or is that too tough?

Thanks

[Bill]

Cool! Seat post maybe too tough to cut and too small in diameter

[michaelcogburn.c]

Great man! Good to see you've made your own set of tools for headset removal purpose.