Star Nut Installation?

[jpw]

I have Wound Up fork on my Serotta 'cross bike. The time has come to finally chop off the excess steerer tube above the stem clamp. To do this I need to lower the position of the installed star nut inside the steerer tube. Do I need an installation tool to do this, or can I use an appropriate baton of wood (or similar) to tap in further down the steerer with a hammer? Thanks.

[AngryScientist]

i always just use an old bolt threaded into the star nut and hit with a dead blow hammer.

[gone]

It's easily enough done with the right size piece of wood. The principle advantage of using the tool is you are guaranteed that it'll be straight and at the proper depth. If you're careful, you can accomplish the same thing without the tool.

FWIW, I've got a star nut setter. It's a reasonably inexpensive tool and the job is done quickly and right.

[jpw]

Job done, and without drama :-) I used a short length of garden bamboo cane. It didn't survive, but the nut and steerer did.

Thanks for your advice fellas.