YOU MAY HAVE TO TAKE A SMALL DRILL BIT IF ALL ELSE FAILS AND DRILL A COUPLE OF HOLES STRAIGHT DOWN THE BRASS DRAIN PLATE RITE AT DRAIN, KEEPING AS CLOSE TO INSIDE EDGE AS POSSIBLE. THEN SPLIT THE FLAGE CAREFULLY WITH SHARP CHISEL. YOU REALLY HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM THE TUB SURFACE. ITS NERVERACKING BUT IF YOU TAKE IT SLOW I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL OUT THIS WAY