Abstract: In the apparatus a workpiece is rotated in a fixed position about an axis. A template is aligned with and spaced to one side of this axis. A platform is positioned above the workpiece and hinged on the other side of the axis so that it can be pivoted and thereby raised and lowered relative to the workpiece. The platform can also be caused to move along the axis of the workpiece and as this occurs, a tracing pin on the platform causes the platform to be raised and lowered in response to changes in the upper contour of the template. A rotary saw or like rotary cutting blade device is mounted on the platform above the workpiece so that the cutting blade can be brought into contact with and moved along the upper portion of the rotating workpiece to cause the workpiece to be shaped. Preferably the blade and the workpiece rotate in the same direction so that they are moving in opposite directions at the point or zone where they contact each other.