The invention provides for fastener feeder apparatus (12) for feeding fasteners from a fastener package (45) into a position to be driven by a fastener driving element (14) during the drive stroke thereof and which includes an actuating mechanism (24) mounted for movement through an operating cycle including an operative stroke in a direction along a fastener feeding track (23) toward a drive track (20) for feeding fasteners to the drive track (20) and a return stroke. A fastener holding mechanism (26) is also provided and is operatively coupled to the actuating mechanism (24) for movement therewith through the operating cycle thereof, whereby during the operative stroke of the actuating mechanism (24) the fastener holding mechanism (26) holds the fasteners (45) in a position biased toward the drive track (20) during at least a portion of the drive stroke so that a leading fastener from the fastener package (45) is disposed in the drive track (20) in a position to be contacted by the driving element and wherein the fastener holding mechanism (26) is released from the fasteners during the return stroke of the actuating mechanism (24), during a portion of the operating cycle of the driving element when a fastener need not be held in the drive track (20). IMAGE
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