A web splicer consists of framework which supports a pair of vertical rails each having a pair of tracks. The rails are spaced horizontally along a center line. One of the rails moves vertically. Travelling up and down the tracks formed into the rails are chucks in bearing support blocks. Motor drives rotate the chucks after they are engaged with a roll of web. A dancer roller and splicing head are of customary construction. Particularly, the framework and associated drives raises at least one of the rails so that it may be raised and lowered, while constraining the rail to move vertically and at a constant distance from the opposite rail. Each rail guides a pair of bearing support blocks, one on each of its tracks, which can independently travel the vertical length of the rail. Each bearing support block rotatably supports a roll core chuck that can be extended in a direction parallel to the center line of the framework and towards an opposing chuck mounted on the opposite rail, so disposed so that the two pairs of chucks may be extended in the hollow core of an interposed roll of web. After the chucks are extended into the roll, motorized lifting mechanism raises the opposing bearing blocks in unison along the tracks. After the roll is lifted the dolly which conveyed it to the splicer is removed. As an expiring roll unwinds and its diameter is thereby reduced, it is raised up near the top of the rails. The one movable rail is then raised up sufficiently to allow a dolly containing a new roll to be inserted underneath the bottom end of the rail. The new roll is positioned offset to the opposite side of the center line from the expiring roll, where it is received by a second pair of chucks which are able to travel down the rail past the first pair.