[Phlogiston]

Ron, I have done many of the Spragues the way you are doing them. It is not my preferred method, but in the case pictured below, I also wanted to change the coarse thread base to a finer thread. So removal of the plastic base was necessary .
   


My preferred method is to cut the body of the cap at the pinch and then resolder the parts together, followed by replating. I know that I am the only one that would do this, but it also resolves the issue with strength. See, I like to use those caps as grab points or I just set the chassis down on them. This will often pull the can off of the base. For me, even with replating, this is easier.

I think that I already posted some pictures of the second method - - somewhere.