How would I go about removing star plugs with minimal damage

>>1165332
small wood threaded eyebolt, a steel cable with cable clamps, and a heavy weight. And eye protection for when the fucker sproings outta there.

I'd use a cheap automotive slide hammer puller with appropriate screws over the cable trick.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-LB-Dent-Puller-Slide-Hammer-Kit-Auto-Body-Repair-Tool-Sliding-Work-DIY-Repair-/332114019083

Also good for pulling seals etc.

Other option is drill them then flick out the crumbs with some old coat hanger.

>Implying you can harm the Masons.

insert a screw between the plastic and masonry then remove it. Now you should be able to pull it out with pliers. you may scratch it and enlarge the hole minimally.

I usually just screw into the plug and lever it out with a claw hammer. Just put something under the hammer where it pivots on the wall to avoid damage.

>>1165332
take a board of wood, drill a hole into it the diameter of the plug, put a screw in the plug so the head sticks out an inch, put the board over the plug so the hole is going over the screw, use a hammer to lever the plug out by the screw. Ideally the board being pressed up against the wall will prevent the masonry from blowing out when you yank the plug

>>1166462

I do the same, but using wire cutters or the wire-cutter part on a pair of pliers. If damading the surface is a concern, you can stick a paper where the pliers touch and create a fulcrum.