Abstract: Strip joining apparatus for joining the ends of two metal strips in overlapping relation includes a shear assembly mounted for indexing movement from a remote location to a first shear position for shearing an end of one of the strips and a second position for shearing an end of antoher strip which is located further from the remote location than the first shear position by a distance corresponding to the desired overlap between the sheared strip ends. Different gauging or stop surfaces are used for locating the shear assembly in the first and second shear positions. Also, the end of the strip that is sheared at the first shear position is moved out of the way during movement of the shear to the second shear position so as not to interfere with the shearing of the other stirp at the second shear position.