Removing the metal frame

Is this what you are trying to do?

Probably a late response but yes, the metal plate can be removed. The only thing holding the steel plate to the motherboard are the switches.

Just have to desolder every single switch .

Once desoldered, just lift the plate, or take out each switch one at a time. Use Rosin Flux and a clean soldering iron tip to avoid damaging the pcb, since it is very old at this point and it is very easy to raise these old solder pads (once you do, they’re gone forever).

Course, that’s a huge hassle.