I bought a few new arrows, but the store was out of the size inserts that I needed.  I have some bent, damaged arrows that I was thinking I would steal the inserts from.  Can you do this?  If so, what is the best way to remove them?  Total rookie here.

1) they are the same size
2) they are aluminum

I appreciate any help, gents.

plumber's torch .
install field points and heat them.
use pliers and with a twisting motion try to turn the points until the glue breaks free.
then just pull out and clean them up with acetone and your ready to install in the new shafts. I would use archery hot melt glue to install them, but you can use the cyanacralite (super glue), or two part epoxy.

No torch, but I slid them under a pan my wife was simmering something in on the gas burner.  Moments later, they spun right out!  

Thanks a lot for the tip.

I use a big candle and keep it on my work bench.

I use hot melt for my aluminum arrow inserts and I reuse them all the time in the same size arrows.And as long as there is no damage to the insert I plan to reuse.

Inserts are cheap why try and resuse jar loose and buy some new ones way less chance of distroying a shaft ,,, wreak one shaft and you could have more than a dozen inserts,,  

If you are talking about carbons, and you resuse an insert, you better make sure there is no old glue residue on the insert.
If there in any of the Goat Tuff/Grip Tip residue on the old insert, it will many times get stuck about halfway into the new shaft, the new glue must somehow react to the old residue and sets up instantly before you can get the insert all of the way into the shaft.
Gordon Martiniuk has it right, inserts are cheap compared to ruining a new shaft.
I never use reuse an insert any more.

I use one of those old time looking oil lamps. Take the glass globe off and you are ready for action. You can get them for nothing and they add some nostalgia to your bow room. Much safer than a blow torch also. I second the hot melt glue.

Guys, hes talkin about aluminums  

Re using inserts for aluminum is not a problem.
Sorry I missed that!

I have to say that in 25+ years of shooting, prior to this thread I'd never heard anyone question whether or not to reuse inserts for any type of shaft -- aluminum, fiberglass, or carbon. If it's not damaged, I always save them for later use. I'm sure I probably have inserts that have been removed and reused several times and never once had a problem.

Of course, I use Ferr-L-Tite, so that may be why I've never had any issues with reusing inserts.

Same as Jason, and now, i only shoot carbons with the brass inserts in them. I have used and reused the same inserts for several different arrows using the archery hot melt.

Heck, when i do bust an arrow (rarely), i even salvage the nock off it. No use wasting it when it's perfectly good.

I echo what Jason said.  I've re-used them for years and see absolutely no reason to change.  Heck, I even cut off 5" feather from broken shafts and chop them down to 3" feathers to use on my club's instructional arrows.  Why anyone would choose to buy new when reclycling works just fine is beyond me.  Not to say I don't buy new, but not when I have recycled stuff that's equally good.