MMDers,  I received a welcome email from John Phillips pointing out
a roll repair device that he had built and submitted to MMD 961218.
The pictures can be located at

  http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures/jphillips1.html 

These pictures are worth revisiting and I wish I had seen this device
before I built my own and put it on the market.  John's unit has number
of clever ideas that I probably would have incorporated into mine.

I believe the major attribute of his unit is the ability to immediately,
and with very little effort, access the bottom side of the paper on the
roll.  I have never personally repaired rolls from the bottom side but
recently I have had several inquires asking if my unit would allow them
to repair the rolls from the bottom side of the paper.

As I looked into the question the answer was readily apparent.  On most
rolls the left or free flange is removable.  Simply remove this flange
and replace it with a slotted flange, i.e., a drive flange, turn the
roll end for end, insert it in the feed end of the roll repair unit so
that it feeds off the bottom, and proceed in the usual manner.  Works
quite well.

Tom Hutchinson