Abstract: A vertical rolling mill is disclosed wherein a means for driving the mill rolls is comprised of a rigid vertical spindle having universal joints and couplings at either end which is detachably connected to the mill roll at its lower end and connected to a splined driving member at its upper end. The splined driving member consists of two parts. First, a hollow sleeve is mounted vertically in a drive case on the mill frame. The sleeve is supported within the frame through top and bottom antifriction bearings. It has internal splines at the lower end of its bore and an internal shoulder above the spline end. Second, a vertical shaft with an external spline and collar is inserted into the sleeve. The vertical shaft engages the internal spline of the sleeve and is supported by its collar which rests on the internal shoulder in the sleeve. Thus, the top frame, rather than the mill roll bearing, supports the weight of the spindle, joints and pod coupling.