I didn't know about T-nuts. Where do you folks learn about all these fascinating tools and fasteners? Are there good books, web sources, etc., to teach such things?
I agree with having boots punched. The "pro shop" at our rink only has the bunion punch, so it doesn't really get longer areas like for toes and such.
"Bunion punch" refers to several things, including devices that might not fit into the toe area. The one I linked to above, a ball-and-ring pliers (mine is cast-iron, but steel ones are made too), can get all the way into the boot, next to and above the toes - if you unlace the boot, and stick the pliers in from beside the lower part of the boot tongue. You can even lengthen the toe box a bit. My toes are longer than the ball area of the pliers, so I needed to punch one area, move the pliers a bit, and punch again (and again, and again) - it took me days to do that. Obviously I took it out while skating.
I think of a ball and ring pliers as a medieval boot torture device. When it is in the boot, it can punch it out about 3/8" (approximate), but after it comes out, the leather gradually returns to original shape somewhat, even if you use heat and alcohol to aid the stretch, and keep re-tightening it over a period of hours or days. I guess leather can stretch only so far (like inflexible me!)- occasionally I have to redo it. And about all that is practical on leather boots is about 1 size expansion in width at most, 1/2 or 1/3 size in length, because the toe box is one of the stiffest parts of any skate boot.
If you don't have a drag pick anymore, you could move the blade back on the boots, and maybe grind off the back of the blade if that makes it too long - and reshape the blade to move the sweet spot, and reshim the mount to make the center level again, and regain the "right" distance off the ice (though Edea claims lower is better). A lot of work - you are almost making a new blade. Plus, there is a possibility that you have reached the part of the metal that isn't as hard, which needs more frequent sharpening - so it may not be worth it, especially if you don't sharpen your own. But it sounds like you are good with your hands and tools, so maybe you would enjoy all that.
If you go to thrift stores and used sport stores, you may find a figure skate boots and blades that fit with a little work, and aren't broken down or too worn down - or maybe you can find some growing kid's used boots - but maybe that isn't your thing. I guess you like the visual style of non-figure boots.