Rotary notcher and former

In an apparatus for forming collars from sheet metal, the apparatus having means for producing a plurality of spaced apart notches in the edge of a sheet, and wherein means are provided for advancing the sheet through the apparatus, the improvement in means for forming the notches comprising a rotary tool having at least one end engageable with said sheet, a shaft supporting said tool, and drive means connected to said shaft for rotating the shaft and tool whereby said end is engaged with said sheet, the means for advancing the sheet operating to continually expose unnotched sheet edge portions to said tool whereby new notches are formed as the tool revolves, and tool stabilizing means engaging said tool during rotation, said stabilizing means comprising a fitting attached to said tool, said fitting being fastened to said tool for rotation therewith, said fitting extending around and along said shaft on at least one side of said tool, a stationary frame portion in spaced relationship with said tool, spring means extending between said frame portion and said tool, securing means holding said tool and associated fitting against axial movement relative to the shaft, said spring means comprising a compression spring positioned around said shaft and having one end bearing against said frame portion and the other end bearing against said tool, said spring means therefore forcing said shaft in a direction away from said frame portion, and including a thrust bearing associated with said shaft at one end of the shaft, said one end being located on the side of the frame portion opposite the location of said spring whereby the force generated by said spring is transmitted to said thrust bearing.