I have an old cassette I want to take apart to build up my first ss, want to try out different gearing before going and buying a nicer drive train. Any ideas if/how to take the pins out? They are flush...Thanks!

If you have an angle grinder or dremel, grind the mushroomed head off of the back of the cassette and push the pins through with a pin punch or nail. or file the heads off and do the same. or hacksaw between the cogs, through the spacer and through the pins and it should all come apart minus one spacer.

thanks, but there are no mushroomed heads. I've tried knocking it through with a nail, no luck. Knew about the hacksaw approach, but I need to get my hands on one...any other thoughts anyone?

A drill?

Sometimes those pins are actually wee bolts. Check if the pin has a bitty socket for a tiny allen wrench.