Abstract: An apparatus for setting up fastener elements having a shaft and a head, e.g. rivets or the like, wherein the shaft length is equal to or less than the head diameter, the setting-up being ahead of a press-bar or hammer of a fastener-driving machine, which press-bar or hammer is adjusted to the head of the fastener elements. The apparatus includes a transfer mechanism which transports fastener elements in succession, by means of a flow of a medium, into an intermediate position in the vicinity of the press-bar or hammer. A radially elastic holding device is disposed in the fastener-driving machine, which holding device is movable with the press-bar or hammer and is capable of holding the head in an axial orientation with respect to the press-bar or hammer at a location ahead of the press-bar or hammer, i.e. downstream in the flow of driving force exerted by the press-bar or hammer. The transfer mechanism transfers a transported fastener element to and into the holding device.