Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

Best Black Friday E-Bike Deals 2024 | Up to $1,700 in Savings

New: Take Part in the November Giveaway: Starts November 18th


Homemade Headset Press
#1
Well, I finally got around to taking some pics.

Another homemade tool example.

One 1/2" x 1 ft. threaded rod
Six 2" fender washers
Four 1/2" nylon washers (Not sure of outside diameter)
Two 1/2" Flange Nuts

Total - $6.50 at Lowes


I've pressed in MANY headsets with this. Works every time.
Dedicated scholar of bicycles
  Reply
#2
Nice thanks for sharing, I'll probably make one, go with the Grade 8 though. Hmmm got any ideas for the remover?
Good maintenance to your Bike, can make it like the wheels are, true and smooth!
  Reply
#3
For $6.50, I'll take this one over ANY commercial press.
Dedicated scholar of bicycles
  Reply
#4
I have similar but I also use various sockets (from a socket set) to help center the rod and to keep the cups from tipping. I use a socket that just fits inside the cup and below the washers.
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#5
Wat? I was just about to buy the HHP-3. I will try this first.
  Reply
#6
headset press home made
to install the crown race for 1 1/8 fork i used 11" inch long 1 1/4 pvc pipe and works great to but i don't have i picture yet
  Reply
#7
Good way to save over $100. When I do a video on this I'll send people to this thread to learn how they can build their own and save some cash. I'm going to make one myself... nice work guys!
  Reply
#8
(01-23-2010, 07:34 PM)tino Wrote:  headset press home made
to install the crown race for 1 1/8 fork i used 11" inch long 1 1/4 pvc pipe and works great to but i don't have i picture yet

The only reason I didn't get the copper fittings is because they're about $8.50 each, so that ups the total price to $23.50 from $6.50. They do automatically center and level the cups, so that's a bonus. I never understood why you needed 2 though. You should only need one copper reducer since you only install one cup at a time anyway.
(01-24-2010, 04:08 AM)Alex Ramon Wrote:  Good way to save over $100. When I do a video on this I'll send people to this thread to learn how they can build their own and save some cash. I'm going to make one myself... nice work guys!

Thanks Alex!
Dedicated scholar of bicycles
  Reply
#9
(01-24-2010, 07:45 AM)jr14 Wrote:  
(01-23-2010, 07:34 PM)tino Wrote:  headset press home made
to install the crown race for 1 1/8 fork i used 11" inch long 1 1/4 pvc pipe and works great to but i don't have i picture yet

The only reason I didn't get the copper fittings is because they're about $8.50 each, so that ups the total price to $23.50 from $6.50. They do automatically center and level the cups, so that's a bonus. I never understood why you needed 2 though. You should only need one copper reducer since you only install one cup at a time anyway.
(01-24-2010, 04:08 AM)Alex Ramon Wrote:  Good way to save over $100. When I do a video on this I'll send people to this thread to learn how they can build their own and save some cash. I'm going to make one myself... nice work guys!

Thanks Alex!

Where the copper fittings are is where I use the sockets from a socket set. I have quite a few sockets obtained over the years from DIY on cars and motorbikes etc.
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#10
(01-24-2010, 10:06 AM)cyclerUK Wrote:  Where the copper fittings are is where I use the sockets from a socket set. I have quite a few sockets obtained over the years from DIY on cars and motorbikes etc.

Ah! Now I get it. Sounds like a good idea.
Dedicated scholar of bicycles
  Reply
#11
Grr. I've just forked out £20 to have my LBS fit a new headset and this thread comes up. Just my luck!

I rather like Tino's and provided I can find some threaded pipe I'll be making one soon. Given a headset press retails over here at about £150 (not sure the exact exchange rate but it's certainly much more than $100) I think I'll be making my own.

Anyone come up with a decent removal tool? I remember seeing one where a guy made two perpendicular cuts down a metal pipe and bent the bottom parts to form lips so he could grip the headset (not a great explanation and I can't find the pictures, sorry).
  Reply
#12
Headset removal - see jr14's post :-
http://forums.bikeride.com/thread-923.html

Me- I just use a long bar instead and knock it out. Work my way around gently if I want to retrieve it.
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#13
I hadn't seen that, thanks!

Will give those a go at some point soon, just got to find the right bits.

Oh that reminds me, for those with a full sus my mate came up with this:

[attachment=816]

A home-made bearing press!

It's an old cup-and-cone axle with an old QR skewer. It uses cones to actually push the bearing in, and a socket to brace it against the frame/linkage. For really awkward small bearings it uses a small socket. The idea being that whatever pushes the bearing into the frame is small enough to fit through the bearing mount. Just make sure that whatever it is is pushing against the outer race to avoid damaging it.

[attachment=817]

This also apparently works on cartridge-bearing hubs like Hope Pro IIs, etc, if you can find the right sockets and a long enough axle.
  Reply
#14
I use a c-clamp against a steel plate. Works like a charm once its started, because being pressed between to nice flat surfaces, means even if it gets a little uneven, the final turn of the clamp straightens it out no matter what.

Small bearing, small c-clamp, big bearing, big c-clamp.

Nice work though!Smile

*edit* Ah. Now I get it looking at the second pic. This setup probably works better than mine. I think I might make one.
Dedicated scholar of bicycles
  Reply
#15
(01-23-2010, 07:34 PM)tino Wrote:  headset press home made
to install the crown race for 1 1/8 fork i used 11" inch long 1 1/4 pvc pipe and works great to but i don't have i picture yet

Like your centering widgets. I have the same basic setup but, use a couple of 1 in drilled rubber stoppers instead. If I ever have to replace them I will borrow shamelessly from you. Thanks.
  Reply
#16
Wow, some very cool DIY. I do not recognize the cooper fittings that Tino used. I also use a C clamp or a soft hammer with sockets as drivers to install bearings and races.

To compress shock springs on my motorcycle I made a unit using four bolts and two 4X4 plates with a U notch to go around shock mount and rod.

Ye the screw thread has lots of power.
Never Give Up!!!
  Reply
#17
(bump)

Steve
Junkyard Tools rescued from the junkyard!
  Reply
#18
Tino's headpress looks brilliant. I love the two copper bits that will keep the cups nice and straight and I'm hoping someone can tell me what they are called, so I can search google and buy two.
Anyone??
  Reply
#19
Look at the response above:

(01-24-2010, 10:06 AM)cyclerUK Wrote:  Where the copper fittings are is where I use the sockets from a socket set. I have quite a few sockets obtained over the years from DIY on cars and motorbikes etc.

That will lower the price again, by quite a margin...
  Reply
#20
I'm on my first project and found this photo. thanks for the tip. I made one slight improvement...I had a tub of 'polymorph' also called friendly plastic. This is the white bits in the photo.

The polymorph is workable at around 68 degrees. It is then it very hard once cooled. Able to mould it around the cups for perfect fit...perfect result.

I think I'll find other uses for the polymorph. Hope this helps some other first timer...

[attachment=4518]
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
46,403
11-12-2019, 01:11 AM
Last Post: Staystrong
 
29,713
08-20-2012, 09:06 PM
Last Post: xerxes
 
17,368
10-04-2011, 03:36 AM
Last Post: GeorgeET
 
36,256
07-28-2010, 08:14 AM
Last Post: Bill
 
29,273
11-25-2009, 04:56 PM
Last Post: Bill

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Moving in Style: Beyond Regular Transpor...
Yesterday 07:43 AM
Second wheelset for ebike.
Yesterday 01:41 AM
Tire Sizing (Or How to Buy A Tire)
11-21-2024 12:36 PM
The Roaming Radrunner Vlog 1 Why ride ...
11-21-2024 09:17 AM
Recording Bike Rides
11-20-2024 01:37 AM
Ketone Ester $$$
11-19-2024 01:04 AM
Trek domane tyre
11-18-2024 01:58 PM
Old fossil buys Ebike
11-17-2024 06:39 AM
Bike bus
11-17-2024 12:14 AM
Humber "Eiffel Safety" bike 1800s
11-16-2024 03:05 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Jesper
21 posts
no avatar 2. GirishH
14 posts
no avatar 3. enkei
11 posts
no avatar 4. Flowrider
11 posts
no avatar 5. ReapThaWhirlwind
11 posts