Mechanical BreakdownHomemade Headset Cup PressFor about $10 at our local Ace Hardware store, we were able to construct two very critical, yet effective tools: the Headset Cup Press and the Crown Race Setting Tool, saving $190. The Headset Cup Press is necessary for the slow, steady compression which squeezes the top and bottom cups into the inner diameter of the head tube. The fit between the cups and the inner head tube is so precise, that the head tube needs to be reamed in some cases. In our case, the Yeti frame was well prepared off the line to receive our cups. We bought a 12-inch long, 1/2-inch diameter threaded rod, four snug washers that have large outside diameters (two for each side to provide extra strength and rigidity, and two nuts. That’s it. You will need two Cup Press Adapters from your Headset Manufacturer (Chris King in our case ~ $24) which keep your cup races and bearings from getting crushed when pressure is applied. You’ll need the Adapters no matter what you use for a Press tool. Our Cups were for a 1 1/8-inch diameter head tube (inner diameter). This tool will cost you from $60-to-$120 from Park Tool. Our $5 version worked just fine, but we do recommend the $120 version from Park if you’re going to be installing headsets frequently, i.e. one or two per month, as it will be a easier and quicker.
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