An apparatus for stretching an extruded length of metal comprises a plurality of sets of tailstock jaws mounted at fixed positions in line with and spaced from each other, and a set of headstock jaws mounted in line with the sets of tailstock jaws and movable towards and away from the sets of tailstock jaws by a motor. The sets of tailstock jaws are individually controlled by respective sensors which when energized emit a signal in response to the presence of the trailing end of an extruded length of metal travelling past the sets of tailstock jaws, and the sensor signal actuates closure of the associated tailstock jaws on the trailing end of the extruded length.