Abstract: A hot strip mill including an improved coiler furnace adapted to minimize heat losses and exposure of the roller table to extreme working conditions. The coiler furnace includes a mandrel which is mounted within a housing. An access opening is provided in the housing for allow for entry and exit of the stripper material being worked upon. A pivotable diverter is mounted on a pivot pin adjacent this opening and is shiftable between a closed position which substantially seals the housing closing of the access opening and an open position which extends into the pass line of the roller table of the hot strip mill to divert the strip being worked upon into the coiler furnace.