RE: re covering a plane problems
I assume the hinges are the nylon pinned type, since they are epoxied in. IF you decide to cut them, before going next to them with new hinges, and IF you have the GP Slot Machine, you can try spreading the blades on the slot machine to each side of the old hinge ("straddling" it) and cutting it free that way. I've done it before, but there is some fiddle factor getting it to work without the blades cutting a diverging slot into the wood, istead of staying parallel to the hinge material. Use the thin blades for cutting Ca slots.