I think you know we all got you on this Gav, you are contemplating binning it anyway, if you have a crack at re-binding it and it doesn't come off then there's nothing lost but time and some new binding.
If it comes out okay, then you can push on and achieve what you set out for armed with some shiny new skills in binding and the adulation of most if not all of us for the Phoenix rising act you've managed to pull on this RC4.
Either way, we'llbe here cheering or commiserating with you, go get it mate!