Not really the best idea to do this without backing off the left cone first.
hence "only back it off 1/8th of a turn"; this is within the typical running clearance / thread clearance.
BTW 'the correct tool' (with two round dogs) doesn't fit older hubs. When using a hammer and drift, a couple of smart blows on one side of the hub, turn 180 degrees, and repeat.
'Modern AW' type hubs come with steel or aluminium shells. The internals are the same and there is hardly any weight difference between them. The main difference is that to build a really durable wheel with a steel shell requires spoke washers (often two per spoke) whereas the aluminium shells allow spokes to seat better.
The aluminium shells polish up really well if that sort of thing floats your boat.
cheers