Abstract: A magnetic riveting stem and a novel vertically fixed pocket mechanism is provided for a stationary riveting machine which permits such machines to be used for riveting applications which were impossible or impractical with prior art riveting stem and pocket mechanisms. The vertically fixed pocket receives ferrous rivets from a rivet feed mechanism and aligns them in a head-up orientation to be picked up by the stem for setting through registered holes in the work. A stationary riveting machine equipped in accordance with the invention is capable of setting a ferrous rivet in practically any location on a work piece where the head of the rivet can pass. This offers an advantage over traditionally equipped stationary riveting machines which require vertically displaceable pockets for guiding a rivet to the pilot pin of a rivet anvil.