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Agreeing with Big Kev, I would not recommend re-engineering the system as perfect alignment will be lost. The hub/drum puller can be bought new online for as little as $54.00. I picked up a used one at a flea market, so it shouldn't be hard to find.

Just buy the puller. Cheaper and easier than whatever rivet setter you would need to redo whatever you deleted.

You can also rent them from auto parts stores for next to nothing. Call ahead.

As mentioned, the hub and drum are balanced as an assembly so it would be folly to drill out the rivets. Totally unnecessary too as how many times do you plan on removing the drums? I bought my pulled back in the ‘60s and have used it countless tomes over the years on many Packards and on my three 1964 Imperials which have the same type of keyed taper shaft. It has proven invaluable. If you really want to eliminate the taper, consider a 1956 rear end as that year does not have it but it also may have a different bolt circle and has studs rather than lug bolts.

Additionally, the hubs have a little machined lip which fits into the hole of the wheel and even if the bolt pattern is the same, the diameter of the hole changed over the years. I learned the hard way when one day back in the ‘70s I was at my storage yard and went to leave when I found that my 1954 Patrician which I was driving that day had a flat and no wheels from any of the parts cars which were 1951 and 1952 seniors would fit it!