Apparatus for in-line surface polishing of cylindrical stock such as stainless steel tubing, and method

A surface finishing apparatus for in-line outer surface polishing of elongate cylindrical metal stock to apply a long scratch finish, comprising:

• (a) a stock feeder for feeding a length of stock through the finishing apparatus from an infeed position downstream to an outfeed position while rotating the stock about its longitudinal axis;
• and
• (b) a polishing assembly for finish-treating the outer surface of the stock as the stock is fed through the apparatus to apply a long scratch finish thereto, said polishing assembly comprising a rotatable finishing wheel having a finish-treating peripheral surface for being applied in an in-line orientation against the outer surface of the stock as the stock is simultaneously fed and rotated through the finishing apparatus, said finishing wheel being mounted on an axis of rotation which is fixed in a perpendicular orientation to the longitudinal axis of the stock, said finishing wheel rotating at a speed sufficiently great in comparison to the speed of rotation of the stock that the scratch finish applied to the stock is linear and extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the stock.