Abstract: A process and apparatus for effecting preheating of elongate metal parts, such as bars, for permitting subsequent deformative processing of the bar. Electrode-type clamps are attached adjacent opposite ends of the elongate bar, and direct-current electricity is applied to the clamps for transmission longitudinally of the bar to effect heating thereof. A further pair of electrode-type clamps is applied directly at each free end of the bar, with the electrode clamps of each end pair being disposed for engagement on opposite sides of the bar substantially flush with the end face of the bar. An electric current, such as an alternating-current, is applied across the sidewardly-spaced electrode clamps of each end pair to effect transmission of electrical current transversely across the bar in the direct vicinity of the end face to effect additional heating directly at the end of the bar to supplement the heating which is effected by the direct-current passed longitudinally through the bar.