Headset Press

I tried to do this but I couldn't find the correct washers in either homebase, b&q or screwfix.

Wickes has them, but it's in Stirling (too far away for me).

Now I have lots of threaded rod going to waste- what to do with it?

Instead of washers use some pieces of wood (with a nice flat surface) and drill a hole in them.

Surely you have wood up in Scotland ?