Will have been glued on probably with a contact adhesive (glue sniffers glue) - most glues will ease a bit with the application of heat. Use hot air gun or hair dryer on a small area and try to prise formica off. Take care as you will probably need to snap it off a piece at a time.
Be prepared for a long job.
Glue residue will remain on the wooden surface after the formica is gone. Try to find a solvent for contact adhesive. Warm, scrape and scrub with wire wool to remove as much glue as you can. Cabinet makers scraper if you can get one may help. Sand table top with progressively coarse to fine grades and then apply teak oil.
Peccavi, October 2008
