Originally Posted by spry
The cotter pins I removed with a large C-clamp,with a socket over the exit end of the cotter.I did use a small propane to heat the crank arm well away from the shaft +bearings.The threads on the cotter I destroyed,but save the cotter so the LBS can give you the correct replacement size.I also used the C-clamp in reverse to install the cotter pin.Thumping or beating on a known vintage bike is frowned on in this particular forum.
I also am too cheap to buy the proper tool for one time.
The C-clamp + socket setup is an excellent alternative to the press, but I don't see any reason to heat the crank arm. The press usually does the job - and if it does not, the press isn't sufficent.
-Kurt