old_windbag wrote:A crown race tool would also be nice to have as I've found the methods using pvc pipe etc simply didn't work.... or I wasn't forceful enough. Actually on this point I have sawn a slot in the crown race and fitted it( if you can buy a headset with a split crown race it makes life easy... as it should be ). Do others frown upon this bodge?
I'd be happy sawing a slot in a crown race if the bearings were cartridge type, I wouldn't do that if the ball bearings were going to run directly over the crown race and over the split.
I wouldn't use a crown race setting tool as a slide hammer - it's a pretty uncontrolled way of smacking the crown race on - better to rest the tool vertically on the race and tap it with a hammer which is how it's supposed to be used, minimising the risk of damage to the race, especially if it's alu. The Park tool actually can't be used as a slide hammer - the tube fits into the adapters and has to be rested in place and tapped.