MMDers,  This is an observation gained from repairing hundreds of rolls
over the last year on the Piano Roll Repair Station.

Many cardboard piano roll tubes are slightly shorter than the width of
the paper.  When the roll is completely played, i.e., all the paper is
on the take up spool, the left idler flange is left unsupported by the
paper.  If this flange is the least bit loose in the tube the spring on
the left side of the spool box will tend to push the idler flange inward
to the point where it is supported by the left end of the cardboard
tube.  This results in a condition where the distance between the two
flanges is less than the width of the paper.

There is an old physical law which simply states the lesser will not
contain the greater.  Thus upon rewind the paper tears on one side or
the other.  This condition is easily remedied by simply placing one or
two small rubber bands on the insert portion of the flange.  I like the
ones that are sold by Dollar General.  I am told that they are for
putting up ladies hair.  A bag of several hundred is less than a dollar
and they work extremely well.

The addition of the rubber bands keeps the flange from being shoved in
by the spring in the spool box.  I think that you will find that this
simple procedure will save a lot of rolls.

Tom Hutchinson