How do I remove quad roller skating apparatus from skating boots?

Question
I have a pair of quad roller skates onto which the axles, wheels, etc. are all attached to one metal unit riveted onto the bottoms of the boots. I would like to remove this entire apparatus and use screws in place of the rivets, so sometimes I could wear them as skates and sometimes as plain boots (realizing there will be little holes where I the screws would go). Is this even possible? My shoe repair shop has no idea how to do this and could recommend no one. I'd like to be able to do this by 4/9/2010 if possible. Thank you quite sincerely.

Answer
Hi Madelyn,
   Putting the plates back on the boots with screws is very easy as that's how most skate boots are mounted to the medal plates.  The near impossible part is removing the rivets without damaging the soul of the boot.  

  The only thing I could think of is to drill the rivets out.  If you or someone you know can do this then you're in business.

  If you get the rivets out and are ready to mount the plates back on the boots, insert the screw from the inside of the boot.  Then use a locking nut to tighten them down securely.  A locking nut looks like a regular nut but has a small washer with gripping teeth attached to it.  If you can't find then at a hardware store, your local roller rink will have them.

   Good Luck, I hope it works for you.

Pat