Abstract: An apparatus for making tapered plastic shingles including a conveyor for moving a block of plastic shingle material along a linear path and at least one heated wire extending transversely across the path to cut the block into two or more tapered shingle slabs. The shingle slabs are thereafter cut to form shingles or slotted to resemble individual shingles of desired widths. One end of the wire is adapted to be adjusted vertically to selectively vary the acute angle of the wire relative to the horizontal plane to thus vary shingle taper. A mechanism is also provided for continuously reciprocating the wire vertically to impart a textured surface to opposed, cut surfaces of the shingle slabs.