Hi,
In the past I always installed and removed (the only way I know to remove) tips with heat. With the smaller tips the heat is getting closer to the ceramic, which is glued on. As some of the factory tips are glued on, I am wondering if the amount of heat (needed to remove the 5 minute epoxy) used will weaken the glue to the ceramic ring?
Thanks

If you get it hot enough - yes.

The ideal way to remove such tops is to maintain tension on the tiptop to that the very instant the adhesive softens enough to let go - the tiptop will come off.

.................

Gary, use the bungee cord technique and it will come off exactly when it ready and not a second later.
To save you looking it up if you do not already know it:
Add a small safelty pin/clip to one side of a bungee cord and put through eye of tip to be removed .
Attach other side of bungee to a fixed item.
Add tension to system and apply heat gradually.
Bungee allows for rotation of rod in a back and forth motion so heat goes on more evenly.
Tip comes off due to pull by bungee as soon as its hot enough to break the grip.

I have made a paper-clip to form around the top and a rubber band thick one on the other end that goes on a hook on a heavy table leg

I then have a thick candle that I set under the top when it has pressure on it

When it is hot enough it just pops off

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks for the good information. I will adjust what I am doing.
Gary

And when you put the new tiptop on , don't use epoxy, use the hot melt tip top cement. It will come off at a lower temp, but will be reliable in the field.