Replacing rubber...HELP!!!!

[TwinkleToes]

I just bought a used table and I am currently trying to take the old rubber off of the rails so I can replace it. I have done this before and have not found it to be difficult but this time...the rubber is extremely hard (almost as hard as the wood) and it is not wanting to detach from the rail.

Any secrets to accomplishing this? I am afraid of damaging the wood.

Help,
TT

 

[realkingcobra]

I just bought a used table and I am currently trying to take the old rubber off of the rails so I can replace it. I have done this before and have not found it to be difficult but this time...the rubber is extremely hard (almost as hard as the wood) and it is not wanting to detach from the rail.

Any secrets to accomplishing this? I am afraid of damaging the wood.

Help,
TT

Watch for which way the grain of wood is, then use a thin blade putty knife to separate the cushion from the sub-rail as you pull it in the direction that will not pull up the grain of wood.

Glen

PS. This will only work if the cushions were glued on with contact cement, if they were glued on with Elmer's glue you're in for a treat, as you're not going to get the cushions off very easy, in fact they're going to rip in half if this kind of glue was used to install them. If you have to, you're going to find it easier to remove as much of the cushions as possible, then cut the remaining cushions off as close to the sub-rail as possible without actually re-cutting the bevel of the sub-rail. The you're going to have to wet the surface of the sub-rail as you scrap off the remaining cushions, as this kind of glue is not water resistant, it'll break down and scrap off.

 

[TwinkleToes]

Glen,

Thanks for your help! The rubber is so hard that I cannot get anything between it and the wood. Let me ask you this; is it a bad idea to actually put the rail on a table saw and slowly move the blade closer and closer until it gets to the point that I can just use a block sander to finish off the hard rubber?

Thanks again,
TT

 

[Donny Wessels]

take acetone and brush it where the cushion meets the wood, this will loosen up the glue. Sometimes you will need to repeat. Also, don't get the acetone on the finish.

 

[realkingcobra]

Glen,

Thanks for your help! The rubber is so hard that I cannot get anything between it and the wood. Let me ask you this; is it a bad idea to actually put the rail on a table saw and slowly move the blade closer and closer until it gets to the point that I can just use a block sander to finish off the hard rubber?

Thanks again,
TT

If it's that hard, and nothing else works, then use a plywood saw blade on the table saw to cut the cushion off. A 10" plywood blade has about 200 teeth, and won't grab the cushion as you're cutting it off close to the rail.

Glen

 

[A-1 billiards]

Glen,

Thanks for your help! The rubber is so hard that I cannot get anything between it and the wood. Let me ask you this; is it a bad idea to actually put the rail on a table saw and slowly move the blade closer and closer until it gets to the point that I can just use a block sander to finish off the hard rubber?

Thanks again,
TT

The table saw works great, just make sure you have a good rip fence and your angle is set to the same bevel as your liner.

Glen's advice on the blade are right on the money.

Be careful and take your time and you'll be all-set.

Jay