Abstract: A workpiece feeding apparatus for feeding workpieces from the top of a stack of workpieces, and which includes a support frame on which is movably mounted a vertical gear rack having a lifting plate on the upper end thereof for engagement with the lower end of a stack of workpieces. A horizontally disposed shaft is rotatably mounted on the support frame, and a gear is detachably fixed to the shaft for driving the gear rack upwardly. The gear may be detached from a driving engagement with the shaft after the gear rack has reached its uppermost feeding position to permit the gear rack to move by gravity downwardly to its initial starting position. A first clutch member is operatively mounted on the shaft, and is operated by a power means for driving the shaft in one direction to turn said gear and move the gear rack upwardly through a predetermined upward feeding movement.