A loading apparatus for supporting a spool comprising a core and a web of material wound around the core, the apparatus comprising: a mandrel adapted to be received by the core, the mandrel comprising a tubular side wall extending longitudinally between a first end portion and a second end portion, the tubular side wall including an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface; an aperture in the tubular side wall; a gripping member telescopically received within the aperture, the gripping member including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing radially outward from the tubular side wall; a wedge member slidably associated with the second surface of the gripping member, the wedge member received within the mandrel and adapted to move longitudinally along the inner circumferential surface of the tubular side wall; wherein as the wedge member moves longitudinally in a first direction, the first surface of the gripping member moves radially outward to press against the core; wherein as the wedge member moves longitudinally in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first surface of the gripping member moves radially inward to release the core; further comprising an outer shaft having an internal outer shaft surface and an external outer shaft surface, wherein the wedge is movably associated with the external outer shaft surface; and further comprising an inner shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion opposite the proximal end portion, wherein at least a portion of the inner shaft is substantially surrounded by the outer shaft, and wherein the inner shaft is slidably associated with the outer shaft. a mandrel adapted to be received by the core, the mandrel comprising a tubular side wall extending longitudinally between a first end portion and a second end portion, the tubular side wall including an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface; an aperture in the tubular side wall; a gripping member telescopically received within the aperture, the gripping member including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing radially outward from the tubular side wall; a wedge member slidably associated with the second surface of the gripping member, the wedge member received within the mandrel and adapted to move longitudinally along the inner circumferential surface of the tubular side wall; wherein as the wedge member moves longitudinally in a first direction, the first surface of the gripping member moves radially outward to press against the core; wherein as the wedge member moves longitudinally in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first surface of the gripping member moves radially inward to release the core; further comprising an outer shaft having an internal outer shaft surface and an external outer shaft surface, wherein the wedge is movably associated with the external outer shaft surface; and further comprising an inner shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion opposite the proximal end portion, wherein at least a portion of the inner shaft is substantially surrounded by the outer shaft, and wherein the inner shaft is slidably associated with the outer shaft.