Machine for polishing rods or wires

A machine for polishing non-rotating rods or wires of metal, comprising in combination:

• a fixed frame, a hollow tubular element which is mounted to be rotatable in the frame about an axis and defining a bore for receiving the rod to be polished, which rod extends coaxially inside the element for axial movement through the element, pressure-applying means actuatable by centrifugal force and mounted on the tubular element, radially movable polishing means carried by the pressure-applying means to be radially applicable against the rod by the pressure-applying means, and means for driving the tubular element and the pressure-applying means in rotation, the pressure applying means comprising a plurality of links equally spaced apart angularly about the tubular element, pivot means pivotally mounting the links on the tubular element so that the links are movable in radial planes intersecting on said axis, the polishing means being pivotally mounted on each link on one side of said pivot means, a weight carried by each link on an opposite side of said pivot means to said polishing means, abutment means mounted to be adjustable in position axially of the tubular element, means for securing the abutment means in an adjusted position, a member mounted to be axially movable axially of the tubular element toward and away from the abutment means, connecting means connecting each of the links to said member for shifting said member in a given direction when said opposite sides of the links move radially outwardly about said pivot means and elastically yieldable means interposed between and engaging the abutment means and said member to be stressed by movement of said member in said given direction.