Stubborn Vintage Graflex Pin

[Jm419]

So I'm trying to remove the bunny ears pin on a Vintage Graflex I just picked up, and the darn thing won't budge.  I got the pin tapped out with a hammer and an eyeglass screwdriver, and it moved enough that it's through the first bracket on the body, but it won't move past that point no matter what I do.  (It's moved like 1/8").  This occurs right where it would pass through the bunny ears, and it simply won't start moving into the tube that holds the bunny ears in place.  It's like it's corroded, but the rest of the hilt is in such good condition that I'm beginning to doubt this.

I know people say to tap this out with a hammer, but I've done everything I can with the hammer without destroying the Graflex.  I'd like to preserve the pin, if possible, so drilling through it is kinda out too.  Does anyone else have any suggestions?  I've tried prying it out, I've tried pulling it with a needlenose plyers, and I've hit it about as hard as I can with the hammer, with no further result.  I'm about at the end of my rope here - any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Darth Xusia]

I had one that was that stubborn. I had to just keep twisting the pin with small pliers
while tapping with the hammer and punch (3 handed operation lol) until it came out.

[Jm419]

Yeah, how did you manage that?  Did someone help you?

[DarthRaevus]

try placing the whole assy. in the freezer for a few hours and see if that frees it up.

OR pick up some sort of penetrating fluid like wd-40 or kroil, sometimes a little lubrication can un-seize parts.

[Jm419]

try placing the whole assy. in the freezer for a few hours and see if that frees it up.

OR pick up some sort of penetrating fluid like wd-40 or kroil, sometimes a little lubrication can un-seize parts.

Huh, that might be worth trying too.  Thanks for the tips.

[Darth Xusia]

Kroil "the oil that creeps" is awesome stuff!

I had my GF hold the shell and the punch while I twisted the pin and tapped the hammer.

[Jm419]

All right.  So put it in the freezer and get someone's help.  I'll give those a shot.

[DarthRaevus]

Kroil "the oil that creeps" is awesome stuff!

Dang skippy! It's like a liquid impact gun. 

[scottjua]

I've had a couple of those. I just used a punch and perseverance. I also tape up the rest of the shell and tube with gaffers tape to protect it from any  more scratches.

The problem comes when (what is probably with yours) the pin binds inside that little bushing and bends... making it even harder to pull/push through the rest of the way.

[DarthRaevus]

oohhhh yeah, definitely do you bestest to keep the pin straight and don't mushroom the end you're tapping since then it will be too swollen to be knocked through.