Thank you, Gentlemen!
I'm going to try the pin punch method. I'd never thought of that method!
The basic process is not complicated, blacksmiths do it all the time with the hammer known as a "cross peen"
Since you are trying to gently spread the metal, a somewhat flat pin punch will do but a rounded, old, dull cold chisel
will substitute nicely for a cross peen.
Make sure you have an "anvil shaped object" or good large chunk of steel as a work surface, and go slowly. These little hands aren't all that big and it is easy to mis-shape them if one gets carried away with the 3 pound hammer....
You may also want to try the process first on a small piece of cold rolled stock so as to get the hang of it
yhs
prof marvel