Abstract: In a friction welding machine reaction loads are borne by a strut member and tie means. The strut member and tie means are interconnected by beam elements which support the workpieces against loads acting along the axis of relative rotation of the workpieces.The machine has a ram which forces the workpieces together. One workpiece is held by a holder guided for movement along the strut member. One beam element is connected to the ram and the other to a support for the other workpiece. The tie means are connected to the beam elements intermediate the ends of the beam elements.The strut member is not subject to any significant bending loads arising from reaction forces so that accurate alignment of the workpieces on the axis of relative rotation is maintained.

Abstract: In a friction welding machine a shear tool is provided for shearing flash off the welded workpieces at the weld zone which tool is interposable between one workpiece holder and the flash only after the workpiece holder and the flash have been relatively moved apart. The workpiece holder and the weld zone are then relatively moved towards one another to force the shear tool and the weld zone to traverse relative to one another so that the flash is completely sheared off the weld zone.