Abstract: A method for continuously relieving residual stresses in hot extruded then cold drawn brass sections, particularly leaded yellow brass. In the disclosed method, the residual stress is localized near the surface of the brass section during cold draw by limiting the percentage reduction in cross-sectional area for the section as it passes through a smaller angle cold draw die. This is accomplished by using a cold draw die having a relatively small attack angle which minimizes the stress at the center of the brass section and localizes the residual stress to an area near the surface of the section. The configured extruded, cold drawn rod is mechanically worked by passing it through mechanical benders which are set to alternatively bend the rod out of alignment first relative to a horizontal longitudinal axis and then relative to a vertical longitudinal axis.