I’m making a press for headset installation.
I think I need the following
250-300mm threaded bar c. 15mm diameter
2 x 15mm diameter thread bolts with Hex Flange or Hex washer head
2 x 55mm spacers /washers- steel or alloy?
Does this sound right, have I forgotten anything?

Thanks

Richard

You can borrow mine if you live near preston. In fact we should have a tool lend thread.

Heres my press and extractor to give you an idea. Just a few washers, nuts, threaded bar and steel plate. Its a shocker isnt it! A bit Heath Robinson I know, but saved me a few quid over the years and its been bob on.

And I am careful with it, especially the bar.

Your list is about right. That’s what I bought and used successfully.

I’d suggest using quite a big stack of washers to spread the load though. With just one at each end, you will likely just bend the washers. Get the thickest that you can find.

All parts are available from Wickes or similar, total cost should be about £5.
In use, pull the cups into the frame one-at-a-time, don’t cut corners and try to pull both in simultaneously. One-at-a-time will give you a better chance of going in straight.

Hope that helps.

+1 Ecky, i was struggling with my home made to get both cups in straight. One at a time works the best IME.

here is mine.. measure the diameter of the headset cup and find some washers that will fit snuggly into them. it helps keep things central when tightening it up.

do one cup at a time.

[/url] DSCN1792 by sod_the_taxman, on Flickr[/img]

I’ve used some hard wood between the washers and the cups just to cut down the chance of maybe damaging the cups.

Brilliant, thanks for the offer I’d like to have a go at making one up so all the pics in following posts are very helpful.
Cheers
Richard

I used two blocks of wood and a mallet! It worked fine although I know it’s far from the recommended method.

I use one of these, it’s effective and very fast!!!

That mallet is unmarked though. So you must be using it to threaten folk in bike shops in to handing over the tools you need!

More of the same…..