opps, i figured it out, there is hot keys for remove surface only
Surface>Remove Surface Only = Alt-S + R
Vertex>Insert Vertex = Alt-X + I
but i found a 'problem'
the hot key for Vertex>SliceSurface is the exact same hot key for Vertex>Snap Together
both are Alt-X + S
and every time i try, it just does Snap together
Philip