In MMD 970908 Karl Ellison suggests covering the inner core of the left
flange with cellophane tape.

I have a number of rolls, mainly old QRS, which suffer both from fragile
paper and loose left flange.  I have used this technique successfully
for some time.  I find that only a very small clearance is needed and
the flange can be left slightly spaced all the time.  Maybe my piano has
a very well aligned spool box and auto-tracker.

Jeffrey Borinsky