home-made headset cup press?

Anyone out there have the instructions for assembling a headset cup press from stuff found at a
hardware store? IIRC, it involves a threaded axle, large washers, etc.

 

On Mon, 2 Jun 2003, ari wrote:
> Anyone out there have the instructions for assembling a headset cup press from stuff found at a
> hardware store? IIRC, it involves a threaded axle, large washers, etc.

A carpenter-type clamp. A convenient tube. A nice washer made of soft material (nylon is fine). A
couple of blocks of hard wood. A mallet.

Some care!

Sergio Pisa

 

Get the largest diameter threaded axle that fits inside the headset cups, and longer then
the headtube.

Add a few nuts and washers. Get extras (at least 4 of each). Get washers that are larger outside
diameter then the headset cups.

-Bruce

"ari" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Anyone out there have the instructions for assembling a headset cup press from stuff found at a
> hardware store? IIRC, it involves a threaded axle, large washers, etc.

 

A recent issue of the Rivendell Reader has detailed instructions and pictures. You can get back
issues, some on paper and some on CD. Email them and I'm sure they can tell you which issue.
www.rivbike.com

Kyle

"ari" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Anyone out there have the instructions for assembling a headset cup press from stuff found at a
> hardware store? IIRC, it involves a threaded axle, large washers, etc.

 

here is the link to one that works for me:

http://www.mindspring.com/~d.g1/headset.html

 

"ari" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...

> Anyone out there have the instructions for assembling a
headset cup press
> from stuff found at a hardware store? IIRC, it involves a
threaded axle,
> large washers, etc.

Well, you got it right there. A big bolt and/or threaded rod, a couple of big washers, and a couple
of nuts ought to do it.

Sometimes you can tap them in with a hammer. I used to have an anvil in my driveway, as sort of a
rustic yard ornament. It really came in handy for this kind of thing.

Matt O.

 

http://www.bicycling.com/qanda/0,5110,187,00.html?category_id=365&article_type_id='qa'

"ari" <[email protected]> wrote
> Anyone out there have the instructions for assembling a headset cup press from stuff found at a
> hardware store?

 

"ari" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Anyone out there have the instructions for assembling a headset cup press from stuff found at a
> hardware store? IIRC, it involves a threaded axle, large washers, etc.

howdy ari,

i asked a similar question a while back. while i intended to do some machining, others responded
with good info that might be of interest to you.

one fellow posted a link, IIRC, of his hardware store press that was quite nice. thelink was
http://tinyurl.com/dbgc. he used brass bushings which essentially did the same as my machined setup,
but not adjustable for various cup sizes. i admit that i dont think my local hardware store has
these bushings, but his did, so its worth a shot where you are.

however, when i checked forhis link, it was gone. perhaps mr. s could re-upload it?

the thread was http://tinyurl.com/dbfz

i also think this has been mentioned a few times before, so perhaps a Google archive search woudlnt
be a waste of time,

cheers

anthony

 

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
>Anyone out there have the instructions for assembling a headset cup press from stuff found at a
>hardware store? IIRC, it involves a threaded axle, large washers, etc.

That's it. It is not a complex tool. You will have to shop for washers that fit nicely into your
head sets cups without scratch the race face.
-----------------
Alex __O _-\<,_ (_)/ (_)

 

On Mon, 02 Jun 2003 21:43:19 GMT, "ari" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Anyone out there have the instructions for assembling a headset cup press from stuff found at a
>hardware store? IIRC, it involves a threaded axle, large washers, etc.

Does anyone else here remember the article in Bicycling about ten or twelve years ago that
recommended seating the cups and cones using the headset itself? The author recommended placing the
various pieces (bearings included) in place and then cranking down on the upper cup until everything
is seated.

There followed a great hue and cry via the letters-to-the-editor section about how this was a good
way to ruin a new headset, but it all seemed to make sense to me. As I recall, the author of the
article was a former auto mechanic and bicycling hobbyist who was just applying principles he'd
learned elsewhere to the practice of bicycle maintenance.

I suppose I should point out that a fellow member of our bike club owns a Park headset tool which
serves as a club resource. I've always used that in lieu of trying the above referenced method.

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3

 

A picture of mine is at

http://www.nonlintec.com/allegro/headset_press_1953.jpg.

I have also used just threaded rod and washers, but you have to be extremely careful that the
headset does not get cocked as you squeeze it
in. Also, it's possible to get fine-threaded 3/8" rod, 24 threads per inch, I think, instead of the
18 TPI that I used (and will soon replace). I recommend the former.

ari wrote:

> Anyone out there have the instructions for assembling a headset cup press from stuff found at a
> hardware store? IIRC, it involves a threaded axle, large washers, etc.
>
>

 

Ya know, I really don't understand this. How often do you need to press in cups at home? The time
and money to build one is certainly higher than the trip to the bike shop where, when shown two cups
and a frameset, will press them in for $5-$10???

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

 

[email protected] (Qui si parla Campagnolo) wrote:

>Ya know, I really don't understand this. How often do you need to press in cups at home? The time
>and money to build one is certainly higher than the trip to the bike shop where, when shown two
>cups and a frameset, will press them in for $5-$10???

Peter, it's obviously just an excuse to own another tool. Do any of us need MORE rationalization
than that? ;-)

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.habcycles.com Home of the $695 ti frame

 

Qui si parla Campagnolo:

> Ya know, I really don't understand this. How often do you need to press in cups at home?

Not very often at all.

> The time and money to build one is certainly higher than the trip to the bike shop where, when
> shown two cups and a frameset, will press them in for $5-$10???

Timewise there is not much difference. Moneywise it's cheaper to build your own.

LBS option - load and transport the frame to the bike shop to get the headset pressed, then pay
$5-$10 for it. Transport the frame back home.

DIY option - go to the local hardware store and pay $2-$3 for the threaded rod and bolts. Do the job
at home with favourite music and brew on. Added bonus: acquire a technical skill.

The job is simple enough that it's not easy to stuff up. I say that for most people, do the simple
jobs at home, and get the LBS to do slightly more complicated jobs such as suspension fork
servicing, and BB and hub overhauls.

 

Is it really that hard to understand? I don't think so.

I'm an extreme case: I work as an engineering consultant. Every hour I put into bicycle work and
riding is a lost billable hour, and, believe me, NONE of that is cost effective. Still, I do it. I
suppose it might be cheaper to work, save the money, and pay for the heart surgery, but the
exercise, enjoyment, stress relief of having a project is worth something, too.

Steve Maas Long Beach, California

------------------------------

Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:

Ya know, I really don't understand this. How often do you need to press in cups at home? The time
and money to build one is certainly higher than the trip to the bike shop where, when shown two cups
and a frameset, will press them in for $5-$10???

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

 

[email protected] (Qui si parla Campagnolo) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Ya know, I really don't understand this. How often do you need to press in cups at home? The time
> and money to build one is certainly higher than the trip to the bike shop where, when shown two
> cups and a frameset, will press them in for $5-$10???
>
> Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria
>

You apparently don't appreciate the fact that some people would rather do things themselves than
pay other people to do it. One reason I like messing about with bikes is the "doing", not just
the riding. I didn't spend any more on the hardware to make my own press than it would have cost
me to have a shop install one headset, and now I still have "the tool" which is generic enough
that I can use the pieces for other tinkering. And, not everybody lives within reasonable
distance of a competent bike mechanic, but usually there is a local hardware store that has the
stuff that is needed.

Jim McKim

 

"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> Ya know, I really don't understand this. How often do you
need to press in cups
> at home? The time and money to build one is certainly
higher than the trip to
> the bike shop where, when shown two cups and a frameset,
will press them in for
> $5-$10???

Where is that shop? Certainly not in southern CA, where it's more like $30. And they won't do it
until next Wednesday.

Matt O.

 

Mark writes:

> >Ya know, I really don't understand this. How often do you need to press
in cups
> >at home? The time and money to build one is certainly higher than the
trip to
> >the bike shop where, when shown two cups and a frameset, will press them
in for
> >$5-$10???
>
> Peter, it's obviously just an excuse to own another tool. Do any of us need MORE rationalization
> than that? ;-)

"Mark Hickey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...

> [email protected] (Qui si parla Campagnolo) wrote:

>

> >Ya know, I really don't understand this. How often do you need to press
in cups

> >at home? The time and money to build one is certainly higher than the
trip to

> >the bike shop where, when shown two cups and a frameset, will press them
in for

> >$5-$10???

>

> Peter, it's obviously just an excuse to own another tool. Do any of

> us need MORE rationalization than that? ;-)

Um, I don't think so. First there's the cup press. Then there's the phallic shaped tool that is
used to remove the cups. Then you've got different sized bearing cups, so you might need a
couple of them.

Then...

Oh you get the point. It's an excuse to own a whole bunch of tools!



I *coulda* driven over to my LBS and asked them to align my cups. They're 10 minutes away, prolly
wouldn't even have charged me anything.

But no, I had to go buy the Park tools so I could do it at home, at my leisure

...the theory being that I might have to do it more than once!

Lee

 

Ah but that all LBSs would be as friendly as Peter's. Here's a more typical experience:

Load up bike and kids (make em put some shoes on, check for dirty diapers) and head to LBS
(20 minutes)

Be told that you'll have to leave it there for 24-48 hours because they can't get to it right away.
Leave it an go away discouraged.

Load up kids and go back to bike store 2 days later and pay $25

This is what happens to me every time which is why I'm reading this thread.

Regards Chris

Mark Hickey wrote:
> [email protected] (Qui si parla Campagnolo) wrote:
>
>
>>Ya know, I really don't understand this. How often do you need to press in cups at home? The time
>>and money to build one is certainly higher than the trip to the bike shop where, when shown two
>>cups and a frameset, will press them in for $5-$10???
>
>
> Peter, it's obviously just an excuse to own another tool. Do any of us need MORE rationalization
> than that? ;-)
>
> Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.habcycles.com Home of the $695 ti frame

 

[email protected] (Qui si parla Campagnolo) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Ya know, I really don't understand this. How often do you need to press in cups at home? The time
> and money to build one is certainly higher than the trip to the bike shop where, when shown two
> cups and a frameset, will press them in for $5-$10???

whoa nelly, dont get me started.. too late.

first off, at this stage in my life i have more time than money. second off, the machine shop i was
working in was giving me material for free. third off, (third off?), it didnt take me that long. i
measured a park tool when i went to a lbs (time estimated: 1 minute), and did some very simple lathe
turning, (time estimated: 40 minutes for all the bits and pieces, and i made an extra set of stepped
rings for myself, and a set for a friend.)

even if i hadnt been getting material for free, this tool would have cost me an hour, and 12
dollars. and works, IMO, better than the park tool, at the slight cost of an additional 30 seconds
per headset press becuase you have to thread the lower handle on, instead of slide it on. from a
rational standpoint, it makes great sense. minimal cash, traded for a lifetime of saved cash going
to the LBS to have them do mine. but the rational standpoint misses the basic motive here, which is
i like making things, and nothign gives more joy than making a tool you use. it is a 'means', not an
'end', and doubly good, for the 'end' is excellent too.

catch you on the flip side,

anthony