Abstract: A lidding and sealing machine for a pail. A pail holding tool set in or on a base and a lid press plate slidably engaged in a bridge on the same base align the pail and the lid for sealing when pressed together. Alignment guides depending from the edges of the press plate engage the lip flanges of the pail and conform the pail lip shape to the lid sealing surface shape even if the pail is distended with the fullness of its contents so its lip is not congruent to the lid sealing surface. A plug insertion tool forces a plug into the pail's drain in a connected and sequential action that is part of the lidding action.