Abstract: Upper and lower milling cutters scalp the top and bottom surfaces of an ingot as the ingot is advanced between the cutters by a carriage. The carriage comprises a pair of laterally spaced and longitudinally movable slides which support sharp-pointed plungers adapted to dig into the sides of the ingot to clamp and support the ingot for movement with the slides. The carriage formed by the slides and the plungers is of open-ended construction and is adapted to move into and out of straddling relationship with the ingot in order to reduce the dwell time of the carriage when picking up and releasing the ingot.