Abstract: A machine (1) for attaching buttons, rivets or the like, preferably to articles of clothing, which buttons, rivets or the like consist of an upper part (124, 125) and a lower part (67, 68) which are fed to an upper tool (9) and lower tool (10) from magazines and are brought into form-locked connection with each other with the interposition of the material (167) by the stroke of a ram (140); in order to optimize the use of different button parts, it is proposed that the upper tool (9) and the lower tool (10) be arranged opposite each other, lying in each case one behind the other in a row on the upper (51) and lower (48) arms of a U-shaped carriage (30) by the positioning of which the upper tool (9), which is to be placed in action in each case, enters into coupling position with respect to the ram (140).