Just kinda looking for the general consensus. I ran into a problem installing one today. I already had the fighting butt installed, and it seemed like when I was pressing the tip top on, a pocket of air pressure in the hollow blank was pushing back on the tip top. I'm wondering if it may be better to wait until after the tip is installed to seal the tube on the butt end.

Unless it was a heavy blank the tip area is sealed. The push-back is from the air in the tip-top. I pack the tip-top with slivers of tip-top cement which replaces air and also enables me to install tip-top without putting cement on the tip and re-heating prior to installing.
Herb

I put the handle assembly on - Then the tip top to the seat reel and line Line it up then turn as it goes on Tends to go on better Maybe turning helps to push the air out
The butt is always last just in case I need to stick a section of blank into the butt to hold it in the turner or wrapper

Bill - willierods.com

Because I have the rod butt chucked in the lathe, the butt cap is the last thing I install. Generally I will put a small hole in the end of aluminum gimbals to allow air to escape during installation.

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I always totally finish the grip area, including butt knob and all wraps/inscription, etc first. I have never had a tiptop move as described. I mostly use Fujis, and have noticed a little cement coming out the front under the ring on occasion, so maybe Fujis are vented. I have also replaced numerous tiptops on finished rods, not always Fujis, and have noticed no movement of the tiptop. I'm sure that if the tiptop were held in place until the cement hardened, it would be secure.

Now having said this, the next one will move. :-)

Randy,
When I put on a tip, I do the following. I use a tapered piece of piano wire that will fit inside the tip to apply glue to the tip top as well as to the top of the blank. By first applying the glue to the heated metal wire, I use only the minimum glue required with no waste.
I heat the glue and the metal wire and wipe a bit of glue onto the wire and then use the wire to put glue into the tip and on the tip of the rod.

Then, I heat both and press on the tip - while the rod is rotating on the blank. I have the tip spin a couple of times on the blank and that normally lets out any air.

I use a craft stick on the heated excess cement and wipe off the excess. Then, I do a final alignment on the tip.

Never have had any issues with tips moving or coming free with this technique.

Be safe

Thanks for the tips fellas (no pun intended). I've never run into this before either. I think I may change it up, though, and do the butt last.