The rims I have disassembled are extremely difficult to take apart (undamaged) even after removing the rivets.
Looks to me like the assembly procedure starts with shrinking the rim on the center while in the correct place for back space and runing true.
Then the rivet holes are punched, including forming a dimple/countersink on the inside of the rim.
Then the rivets are installed and set, usually flush on the inside of the rim, and with a low head on the dish side.
So to disassemble them even after you have drilled and punched the rivets out there is a lot of interference because the holes were punched and not drilled, and the countersink formed, creating even more interference between the two parts. Not to mention the original shrink fit.
My perfered method for removing the center is to remove all the rivets, then split the rim with a portable band saw so it springs open, and pretty simple from there to yank the center out.
I suppose you could make some large tools to support the center at the outside edge and press it out on a hydraulic press. But if you don't want to save the rim just cut it, that's simpler.
Grigg
