why wont it come off?

Hmmm?

Use a brass drift ("punch") about 1/2" I'd say and you can pound the snot of it. Brass is softer than the steel so won't hurt the steel. Grease is the right idea. Vasoline is a good one too.

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Vasoline

Vasoline rocks!! I used to use it on lights that are exposed. Car lights, house lights, whatever. You just put a little on the base and screw them in and voila, the things will screw right back out years later like they were brand new. Nothing cuts vasoline, where grease can get thinned by spilled gas. Vasoline has a higher melt out point too.

Look it up, the discovery and uses are a great read. FYI, whatever you get it on it pretty much stays on, so be careful.

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