A surgical tool (10) for chucking in a powered surgical handpiece, comprising an outer tubular member (11) with an opening (41) at the distal portion thereof. An inner tubular member (30) is movable in the outer tubular member and comprises a bendable inner tube (36) of flexible polymer material and a tissue working tip (40) extending forward from the distal end of the inner tube. The inner tube has a radially enlarged distal opening recess (62). The tip includes a reduced outside diameter, proximally extending, annular flange fixed within the inner tube distal recess (61). The annular flange of the tip is formed with hills and valleys (63, 64). The inner wall of the inner tube that defines the recess is formed with hills (65) that seat in the valleys of the annular flange so as to lock the tip to the inner tube. The annular flange is further shaped so as to extend into the recess a distance less than the overall length of the recess. Consequently, the inner tube immediately below the end of the annular flange has a section of reduced wall thickness.