Abstract: A rolling stand includes a frame and a pair of working rolls mounted on the frame centered on and rotatable about respective parallel axes and defining a nip so that a strip can pass in each of a succession of passes forming a single run through the nip so that with each pass the thickness and width of the strip are reduced. The ends of the working rolls project laterally beyond the longitudinal edges of the strip. Respective backing rolls mounted on the frame extending generally the full length of the working rolls are braced toward the nip against the working rolls to urge same against the strip. Tools displaceably mounted on the frame reduce the diameters of the projecting ends of the working rolls several times after respective passes during a single run so that the working rolls only contact the respective backing rolls along a diatance equal generally to the workpiece width.