I am having a problem when replacing Rod Tips on older fishing poles. Using heat to remove it weakens the tip (usually fiberglass) and I have a tip break off (the rod itself broke at that bottom of the tip) a pole during normal use last week. I realize I am using too much heat but the older the rod the more I seem to have to use. I thought about using a dremel and cutting it off. Any suggestions?

Spiral cutting the tiptop, if you can do so without damaging the blank, is a good idea. I use a triangular file for the task, however, as it has less risk than a quick cutting dremel tool and cut-off wheel.

Another thing you might try is putting some tension on the tiptop when heating it for removal. Tie a wire to the tiptop and hook it to something and pull the opposite direction with the rod. Then apply (or have someone else appy) the tip of a butane lighter flame to the tiptop tube for just 3 or 4 seconds. Sometimes the cement holding the tiptop may be sufficiently softened for tiptop removal, but you don't realize this until you've heated the tip too much. Applying tension helps the tiptop come off just as soon as the cement has been weakened.

If it takes more than a couple attempts at 3 to 4 seconds heat, then cutting is probably the best route to go.

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Usually a good amount of heat completely around tip -the with pliers pull the tip straight off. It may take a second time with good effort on the pull. Even if it is epoxy you should be ok. Bill

I would like to augment what Tom suggested as I had the same problem and had a lot of good suggestions from this forum.
Take one or two large paper clips and "unbend" or open them up. Hook them in "series" to the ring of the guide.
Attach a rubber band to the end of the clip farthest away from the tip.
Either secure the rod so you can pull on the rubber band or get someone else to hold the rod and have them pull on the rubber band.
Use the lighter and apply heat to the clip where it is hooked onto the tip. The heat will migrate along the metal tip, soften the adhesive, and the tension on the rubber band will pull the tip off without dumping an excessive amount of heat into the rod itself.
Even though it shouldn't take a lot of tension to pull the tip off I would be inclined to wear eye protection, not stand in line with the rod and to do this in a "safe area" in case the tip comes "flying off"
Bill in Reno

I use a candle to heat them. Easier then the lighter.

Bill - willierods.com

You've got to do the Davidor or Kirkman methods-there is no way that most people can judge when you have just enough heat. Those methods prevent you from applying too much heat. I also have damaged rods before I learned these methods, but have damaged none since.

Thanks for all the input. I have been using a heat gun to put on the tips which works great as I can control it fairly easy. However, for the removal, I will use the methods learned from this post. Thanks.

I use the paper clip and rubber band attached to something with tension on the tip top. A little heat and the top pops right off, as stated above. Works great . . . don't stand in line with the tension on the rubber band.