[R-390] Pinned Down - advice needed

[Chris Kepus]

Various refurb and repair projects are underway in preparation (practice)
for a newbie to tackle the BIG ONE...a R-390A.  

Here's the latest.  I'm  working on a device that has a Cosmos PTO, a close
relative to that which in our R-390's, that is driven by a rather
interesting geared system.  

To get to the point of my inquiry, a number of the gears and levers are
pinned through their hub to the PTO shaft or idler shafts with mighty small
diameter pins. Based on recent advice given to another refurb newbie, pins
found in the R-390A gear train, can be a pain in the gear, I mean rear, even
a show stopper.  I need to remove the tiny diameter pins holding the gears
and lever on the PTO shaft. 

Where does one buy the extremely small diameter super strong punches? Has
anyone devised a "best" way to remove the pins? Heating the hub?, soaking
with penetrant?, drilling 'em out, etc. Yes, I've considered cutting them
off with a Dremel with cutting wheel but it would be rather difficult to do
so without collateral damage.

If you'd like to see the gears, please Google "ME-398/U", go to the photos
on Flickr, check out the PTO and close up pics of the gears and levers that
are pinned.

Thanks for any and all ideas. 
Chris
W7JPG  

PS - OT: Is there anyone on this reflector that worked for Cosmos in the
late 70's and 80's? Please contact me direct.