Fredset Tool--a Homemade Press
When installing a headset, a tool is needed to press the top and bottom bearing cups into the bike's head tube. A press is also necessary to install some one-piece crank arm bottom brackets, on BMX bikes and beach cruisers. Press tools are very expensive and get little use. You can make a cheap homemade press.
At a hardware store, buy a threaded steel rod. A thick, rigid rod is better. Buy at least 2 nuts to fit the rod. Get a bunch of washers in various diameters, that will fit over the rod. Size the washers so some are bigger in diameter than the outside of your bearing cups, and some are just a little smaller in diameter than the inside of the cups.
To use the tool, first hold the top and bottom bearing cups over the top and bottom of the head tube.
Thread one nut on the fredset rod. Place some washers under the nut (smaller ones on bottom), and stick the fredset tool through the head tube, with the larger washers resting on the top bearing cup. On the bottom side of the fredset tool, insert some washers and thread on the second nut. Remember that the bottom bearing cup should be next to the head tube. Hand tighten all this together and then crank down on the nuts with an adjustable wrench. The cups will press on.