Abstract: A method and an apparatus for making a reconstituted coherent metal strand from scrap metal is disclosed, the strand being severed into suitable lengths to provide an intermediate product for subsequent processing such as into bar stock. The intermediate product has at least the outer periphery thereof fully dense so as to eliminate or minimize interior oxidation. The method comprises conversion of the scrap metal to "regularized" chips or blocks which are force-fed generally vertically downwardly through a fixed aperture to define a stream of metal pieces having a minimum density of 15-30% and which stream forms a column of said chips generally supporting itself, the stream is rapidly heated by a combination of electrical inductive energy and percolating hot gases produced by the combustion of fossil fuel (the fossil fuel is burned in a controlled manner to provide a self-generated reducing atmosphere permeating said stream).