I spent $40 on a cheap bearing press and it just bent on a headset cup

I figured a no-name tool from an online marketplace would be fine for the occasional job, but the aluminum sleeve deformed on the first real press fit. Now I'm out the cash and had to finish the job with my old threaded rod and washers. What's a decent budget press that actually holds up?

3 comments

3 Comments

diana_moore751mo ago

Honestly, that's just the risk with those super cheap tools. A decent park tool press is worth saving up for.

drewb451mo ago

Agree completely... learned that lesson the hard way myself. Ruined a bottom bracket with a cheap press that slipped. Now I just wait and buy the good stuff.

betty_park6218d ago

Heard a mechanic on a podcast say those cheap presses often use soft aluminum that can't handle the force, and it lines up with what you found. @diana_moore75 is right about the park tool press being worth the money, I borrowed one once and it was night and day difference. Might be worth checking out a wheel bearing press from an auto parts store too, those are usually steel and cost less than the bike specific ones.