A partially unwound roll is moved for splicing with a subsequent parent roll, and the united web is rewound. The torque transmitting means include side clamping mechanisms engaging only the end surfaces of the parent rolls. In one aspect, an automated off-line apparatus and method splice tissue webs from different parent rolls in a finishing unit, and substantially continuous impacts on each web during unwinding splice the webs together. In one aspect, an apparatus and method are disclosed for the production of a soft, high bulk uncreped throughdried tissue web by depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto an endless forming fabric to form a web and through drying the web to final dryness without any significant differential compression to form a dried web having a bulk value of about 15 to 25 cubic centimeters per gram or greater, an MD Stiffness Factor of 50 to 100 kilograms, a machine direction stretch of 15 to 25 percent, and a substantially uniform density. A torque transfer device for unwinding a tissue roll includes a frame having a pair of arms spaced apart to accommodate the width of the roll, each arm having a side clamping mechanism mounted thereon to engage one of the opposite end surfaces of the tissue roll. The side clamping mechanism includes a backing plate connected to and rotatable with an unwind shaft connected to an electric drive, an inflatable bladder mounted on the backing plate, and means for inflating the bladder such that the opposite end surfaces of the roll are sandwiched between the side clamping mechanisms.