Headset Press – Which are a dream to use?

I’ve put headsets in with a mallet and a lump of wood etc.  More recently I’ve been using a basic cheapie threaded rod affair that is a right pain to use due to multiple washers and bearings that all have to be placed in order and then a nut threaded on from the end.  If this wasn’t arduous enough the whole lot requires careful use to keep everything in line and not go askew.  And now I’ve trodden on it and the rod is banana shaped.

Instead of a new bit of rod I’m tempted to splash the cash on a good quality press.  Currently looking at Park and Unior as they look like solid lumps, have one end that is quick release and are not made up of multiple little bits that bounce across the shed floor.

Anyone used either and found it A1 or had some niggles?  Any better suggestions?  Ease of use is king here and if it can withstand being trodden on even better.

My Park one is 20 years old and I intend to pass it down to Hatter Jr. Its a rather unsubtle but effective lump and the quick release end is handy.

I’m sure there are far eastern cheapies out there but I like the fact that 20 years down the line I can still get spares for mine.

I’ve always done mine with a bench vice, two big flat surfaces seem to work very well.

I did treat myself to a proper star nut fitter though, much easier to get it straight than the ‘bolt and hammer’s approach of old.

I’ve used Park and Unior presses when working in shops but I do my own using a threaded rod, two flat plates and two nuts. For all the times I’ve needed to fit a headset, that’s fine. Having said that, I did invest in a bearing press and in a derailleur adjustment tool and they get used with about the same frequency so what do I know? No man shouild be discouraged from buying the “proper” tools.

I did treat myself to a proper star nut fitter though,

11mm socket works a treat.

I have a headset press but it’s way more faff and slower than an irrigation fitting i have and a hammer.

It’s another thing to have a quality press, and do so in a way that makes everything simpler to use. I have used some small parks but not park or unior particularly but i have heared some good about them.