I noticed that Craig Brougher mentioned in MMD 011219 that it is
very hard to cut a new straight edge on a roll when doing roll repairs.
I have found a way to do this that produces excellent results with a
minimum of effort and colorful words.

Arts and crafts stores sell a rotary cutter (OLFA model RTY-1/G,
28 mm diameter) and a companion rotary mat.  The cutter is actually
meant to cut fabric, but it works equally well on paper.  The mat makes
the cutter work better than on any other surface, and they come in
various sizes.  I found that the 11"x15" mat works quite well for most
repairs, although if you need to cut a really long edge, you might want
a longer mat.

Because the rotary blade is made of tungsten, it maintains a sharp edge
for a very long time, and the rolling action reduces the force needed
to move along the cut line, which lets you concentrate on keeping
everything in position.  Try it, you'll like it.

Also, I have never had a problem with repairs made on a flat table, as
long as I used very short pieces of (acid free) tape to do the mending.

Never run a long piece of tape down the length of the roll.  I learned
this the hard way when I repaired my favorite roll when I was about 12
years old.  I went through two rolls of Scotch tape, down each margin of
the roll, to give it a nice new edge.  That roll has never played again,
since it will not sit flat on the tracker bar.

Even after 38 years of waiting, the tape is still stuck on and I have
yet to find a way to remove it so I can hear this roll again.  Lately,
I have been using really short pieces of tape (lots of them along a
lengthy tear), and the repairs work flawlessly.

Jack Breen
Southboro, MA