An apparatus (100) provided for texturing the surface of a brake plate (A) has three die plates (200; 500; 600) and spring supports (27; 37) therebetween. A toothed tooling (400) mounts to the top die plate (200) above an anvil (26) on the centre die plate (500) both of which ride on posts (30) held by the lower die plate (600). The toothed tooling (400) comprises multiple blades (11; 14) each with multiple replaceable toothed inserts (61) are held in a cartridge arrangement. The anvil (26) receives brake plates (A) from a separately supported plate feed mechanism (700) with greatly reduced reciprocating mass. The complete die set (100) can be set up on the bench and inserted ready to use in any style of press where the press ram contacts the upper die plate (200).