Wire nails are collated by means for conveying the nails in a specified manner and by means comprising a wheel for engaging keyways defining flat surfaces on the shanks of the nails. Each nail is rotated by the wheel, about an axis of the shank of such nail, to such extent as may be then necessary to orient the keyways of such nail and of other nails with such surfaces defining a plane. The wheel fits between end surfaces defined by the keyways so as to cause the keyways that have been engaged by the wheel to define a continuous channel.