Abstract: An apparatus (20) for closing the end of a tube section includes a rotary means (180, 190) for rotating the tube section about the longitudinal axis of the tube section. A forming wheel (54) is mounted relative to the end of the tube section. The forming wheel (54) is freely rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the tube section. Structure (26) is provided for moving the forming wheel in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tube section and into engagement with the end of the tube section to close the end thereof.