I have collected older piano rolls for years so I'll share a few of
my thoughts on this subject.  I have found that, in the case of many
of the older rolls, the paper needs to be tamped to the slotted end of
the roll before even being played.  But what I personally have found
is that the paper of the piano roll is soft and even brittle and is in
a place where it is becoming fragile.

Also think about the way that the spoolbox is constructed -- this newly
acquired roll is put into place and sometimes, with a bit of luck, the
roll will play okay, but on rewind all hell will break loose!

What I have found is that the top spool mechanism is spring loaded, and
while a roll is being played the spring forces the flange and the paper
towards the right.

So I personally try to make it a normal part of the experience to use
contact cement to glue the left end flange out about 1/32".  The effect
that this creates is that it stops the flange from pushing into the
cardboard tube, which you should notice is 1/8" to even as much as 1/4"
and possibly even more.  Rolls that I have been purchasing from
Keystone Roll Co. for years have been great.

In my life I always glue the left end flange before playing the new
old roll.  Why?  Because the Good Lord knows that if I prepare the roll
before playing it I end up getting to hear it again and again!

Jim Gabaree
tel.: 1-802-244-7098