Abstract: A mechanism for the lathe-working of longitudinal, cylindrical, or slightly conical work-pieces (88), preferably cartridge cases for firearms, which uses at least two driven rotating spindles (80) located in a housing (17). The housing (17) is rotatable around an axle (16) and is rotated by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (22, 23) into a series of operating positions. Tools for working the cartridge cases (88), (a) a shaper for the extractor groove (93) and the extractor flange (92) and (b) a cut-off piece (103), are both attached to a cut-off sled (101). This cut-off sled (101) is guided back and forth on a main sled (94) laterally with respect to the axis of rotation of a spindle (80). The main sled itself may be moved in the direction of the axis of rotation of the spindle (80). In this manner, the length of the cartridge case is determined exactly. Furthermore, each rotating spindle (80) is driven individually.