THE FRICTION WELDER HAS A FLOATING SHROUD IN THE TAIL STOCK THAT PROVIDES RADIAL SUPPORT OF A WORKPIECE HAVING THIN OR FRAGILE PORTIONS. THERE IS LIMITED SHROUD ROTATION RELATIVE TO THE TAIL STOCK DURING THE WELDING PROCESS SO THAT TORSIONAL FORCES GENERATED DURING FRICTION WELDING WILL NOT BE TRANSMITTED FROM THE WORKPIECES THROUGH THE SHROUD TO THE TAIL STOCK. THIS ALLOWS THE WORKPIECES TO BE JOINED WITHOUT DESTRUCTION OR DAMAGE BY THE FRICTION WELDING PROCESS. THE SHROUD HAS A PLURALITY OF SEGMENTS

FACILITATING EASY REMOVAL OF THE WORKPIECES FROM THE TAIL STOCK.