Abstract: Method and apparatus for aligning strip end portions prior to a welding step in continuous strip treating equipment having a longitudinal centerline in the direction of strip movement in which there is a first strip running through the line having a trailing end portion and a second strip to be fed into the line having a leading end portion, the invention comprising means and steps for determining the longitudinal direction of the first strip trailing end portion, providing a strip positioning member contiguous to the second strip leading end portion disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first strip trailing end portion, the strip positioning member being laterally disposed in a position relative to the longitudinal centerline of the equipment whereby the second strip leading end portion can be aligned longitudinally and laterally with the first strip trailing end portion so that the strips can be welded together without the formation of a dog leg in the resulting welded strip.