Abstract: Low quality, low density woods are densified to form wood products having the characteristics of high quality natural hardwoods. A green solid wood member having a high moisture content is impregnated with anhydrous ammonia to plasticize the wood into a sponge-like form saturated with water and ammonia. This plasticized wood member is placed between press plates of a cyclic press and, while maintaining the temperature of the wood below 100.degree. C., it is subjected to a plurality of low pressure compression cycles each of about 1/2 to 1 minute duration with the wood being compressed to a predetermined thickness of up to 50% less than its original thickness. It is held at the reduced thickness for a short time and released during each cycle, whereby water and ammonia are squeezed out of the wood down to a moisture content of less than about 30%. The damp wood member of reduced thickness thus obtained is then dried to obtain a kiln dried, densified solid wood product.

Abstract: A rolling mill roll stand has a housing removably mounted on a lower bridge. A pair of work rolls and their respective bearings and bearing chocks are contained within the housing. Separating devices act on the bearing chocks to maintain a gap between the work rolls. Hydraulic roll positioning cylinders are carried in the lower bridge and are arranged to act on the bearing chocks of one of the work rolls. The housing together with the work rolls, bearing chocks and separating devices is removable as a unit from the lower bridge, while allowing the hydraulic positioning cylinders to remain undisturbed.