Abstract: The invention broadly comprises forming a weld preparation groove in the surface of a cylindrical roller, said groove being parallel to the longtitudinal axis of the roller. The groove is filled with a weld material. Subsequently, the outer surface of the cylinder is welded with a compatible welding material to coat the cylinder surface. The weld materials both for the groove and the surface are compatible such that when the surface is welded, the weld material in the groove is recast to form a homogeneous grain structure with the surface weld. The slot is then formed and the surfaces of the facing walls of the slot, the slot edges and the roller surface are uniformly coated.