Can I repack my own wheel bearings?

Just from my years in the manufacturing industry, I would advise against using any brass as a drift to install bearings/seals, especially bearings. Brass will flake of and you may not see the chunks, and they will not do a bearing any good. Soft steel is less likely to flake off, and therefore works better. Someone mentioned cleaning up after using brass, but it's easier to just not use it in the first place. Some people use a socket that fits the race, but the chrome on the socket can be broken off and that's not good either. It's one of those deals where the proper tool for the job saves you from headaches later.

Hammer faces shouldn't be used to drive in steel races: hard hammer face against hard bearing is not good.

I'll use gloves every chance I can. Too many years of digging ground in grease and oil out from under my nails. Don't need that any more.