Drill through from the outside!
Here is what we do:
Remove the pads and cut the pin off flush.
Put in new pads (with holes).
Run out to the drill press and drill a through hole. You will see a dimple on the top of the clamp to run the drill through.
Make sure the drill hole size matches the Pop Rivet you are going to use.
Take a pop rivet (I use stainless steel) and drive the arm off it. I hold the rivet with pliers and slam the point down on my work bench. This will remove the rivet shaft and leave you with the rivet. Insert it in to the hole on one side of your release. Some guys epoxy it in place. I do not!
You can purchase shorter rivets at the hardware. That rivet will run through the one side, produce a metel pin, and enter in to the other side of the clamp. You will never saw off another pin again.
I cannot do an article and demo on it however I can shoot you some photos. I'll text them to you Jimmy!