Abstract: A rotary reel material removal tool for removing an overlaid material from a substrate material includes a rotating cutting reel having blade members and non-cutting bumper members. The bumper members and the blade members are preferably arranged in a generally alternating and spaced manner around the outside of the cutting reel. The bumper members are set at a bumper diameter which is generally equal to or greater than the cutting diameter at which the blade members are set. When the reel is rotated at a sufficiently high rate on a generally flat, smooth substrate surface, the bumper members prevent the blade members from cutting into the smooth flat substrate. When the reel encounters the edges of overlaid materials which are layered on top of the substrate surface, such as, for example, roof shingles, the bumper members do not prevent the blade members from cutting into and removing the overlaid material.