an arrangement is described for assuring a parallel , evenly - spaced relationship among a succession of rod - shaped fasteners , illustratively nails , to be joined by an extruded plastic ribbon and thereafter molded into a nail strip suitable for use in pneumatic nail drivers and the like . a succession of grooves formed in a transfer chain that receives and advances a succession of the nails in a first plane is conventionally contacted by an elongated support means which bears against a first plurality of the grooves on the chain to capture the nails in the grooves . a second pressure member of smaller longitudinal extent than the support member is resiliently mounted in inwardly overlapping relation to the support member adjacent and upstream of the molding portion of the apparatus for contacting the shafts of the captured nails immediately before such nails and the adhered plastic ribbon are molded into the strip . the action of the pressing member serves to maintain the successive captured nails contacted thereby in the desired parallel relationship , so that the required alignment of the successive nails in the finished nail strips is guaranteed .