Abstract: The invention provides a method of splicing rolled plates with each other, including the steps of (a) positioning a rear end portion of a leading rolled plate above a front end portion of a following rolled plate by a distance slightly greater than a diameter of a cylindrical cutter having a rotation axis extending in a width-wise direction of the leading and following rolled plates, the positioning being carried out while the leading and following rolled plates are being transferred, (b) cutting an upper surface of the front end portion of the following rolled plate with the cylindrical cutter only within a region at which the following rolled plate is to be spliced with the leading rolled plate, the cutting being carried out in a direction F in which the rolled plates are being transferred, (c) blowing a first reducing flame to the upper surface being cut from above the upper surface in the direction F while the step (b) is being carried out, (d) cutting a lower surface of the rear end portion of the leadin

Abstract: A direct rolling method and apparatus for a continuously cast slab of steel includes carrying out preliminary rolling of a continuously cast steel slab with a surface temperature of the slab in the range of 900.degree.-1200.degree. C. at a strain rate of 10.sup.-3 to 1 sec.sup.-1 with a total reduction of greater than 5% and at most 20%. The slab is then subjected to hot rolling after the preliminary rolling.