RHM, I can't wait to try your socket and c-clamp technique! I have a Hercules to test that on. It sounds promising.
To the OP, I bet you could find a local bike shop to remove those cotter pins for a very small fee. Remember to buy new ones and not re-use the old.
__________________
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)