The forming machine includes a load station (P i ) adjacent one end, an unload station (P 2 ) adjacent the other end and a first work station (S 1 ), turnaround station (S T ) and second work station (S 2 ) spaced longitudinally in succession between the load and unload stations along a workpart flow path. Each work station includes a rotatable spindle (40, 42) fixed in position on one side of the flow path and a tailstock (44, 46) with a workpart support (48, 50) slidable toward the spindle transversely of the flow path. An overhead transfer mechanism (100) is slidable along the flow path and grippers to transfer workparts successively from one station to the other along the flow path. First and second pairs of forming tools (20, 22) are spaced longitudinally to cooperate with the first and second work stations (S 1 , S 2 ) and are slidable longitudinally and simultaneously in engagement with first and second workparts rotatably and transversely supported at the respective work stations between the respective spindle and tailstock. The turnaround station (Sr) is operable to permit opposite ends of a-workpart such as a solid shaft to be formed by the forming tools.