That darn glue.

[billsey]

I'm wearing my arms out scraping at least four layers of contact cement on this Valley today. Is there a better way to remove the old stuff than elbow grease and sharp razors in the scraper?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Xylene

 

[Sheldon]

Xylene is crazy toxic, just scrape it off. Keep a diamond sharpening "stone" handy and you can keep your blades sharp and cutting nicely.

Amazon.com

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

PPE

 

[muskyed]

I would think this would work also. About $3 and some replaceable blades.

 

[Hard Knock Cues]

I would think this would work also. About $3 and some replaceable blades.
View attachment 842062

Your hands and fingers will hate you for using that.

Something like the one Sheldon pictured gives you leverage and a wider and stiffer blade. You can buy a cheap one at harbor freight for $10 or so.

 

[bradsh98]

I would think this would work also. About $3 and some replaceable blades.
View attachment 842062

Razor blades are a bit too flimsy, and will easily dig into the slate... Utility blades are better.

Toluene is outstanding for removing glue build-up, but it is very toxic, much like Xylene...

For thick stuff, you can use an oscillating multi-tool, with a scraper blade

 

[billsey]

Yeah, Xylene and Toluene were both going to be too stinky for use in an establishment that serves food... We ended up just scraping away at it with something very much like what Muskyed showed. The one Sheldon showed is likely much, much better, but the only equivalent I found at the local HD had a curved blade surface, so wasn't as usable. I'm going to keep my eyes open for something better, but since we got those two tables done and I'm not doing this for a living, it isn't going to be that high of a priority.