A method and apparatus for separating entangled parts includes a receptacle container mounted for reciprocating movement in a vertical direction and having a grid structure at the bottom thereof for supporting and separating component parts which are entangled. In order to overcome the unbalance of the reciprocating container or parts bin a counterweight structure is provided which will effectively counteract or neutralize the unbalance created by the reciprocation of the parts bin. A drive motor through reduction means and connecting rod and crankshaft structure is appropriately connected to both the parts bin and the counterweight structure. The grid structure of the parts bin may be replaced with different size spacing grids for different size of parts to be untangled. The parts are untangled by the method of shaking them in a vertical direction and allowing the parts to be so vibrated that they tend to separate and become unentangled. The speed of reciprocation required by the method of this invention must be fast enough to exceed the pull of gravity by about 3:1. The spacing of the horizontal grid bars preferably is about 10% further apart than the longest dimension of the part to be separated. Also, the size of the grid bars should be large enough to prevent the parts from being forced thereover or locking thereupon. The method of reciprocation allows the parts on the bottom of the mass to spring and/or fall away from the mass through the grid. Because of the rapid rate of movement of the grid the mass of parts is bounced about, allowing the parts on the bottom to untangle and fall through.