An apparatus for transferring workpieces to and from the chuck of a machine tool. A gripper arm is mounted to the machine frame for selectively axial and rotational movement on a shaft having helical and longitudinal threads on the surface thereof. A first nut is rotatably mounted to the machine frame for axial advancement of the shaft and a second nut is rotatably mounted for rotational advancement. The apparatus may also include a panel mounted to the machine frame between a transfer station and the chuck. An opening in the panel adjacent the transfer station has surfaces which mate with corresponding surfaces of the gripper arm so as to preclude the passage of debris to the transfer station. The apparatus may also include an apparatus for sequentially transferring a series of workpieces. The apparatus has a two gripper jaws and a compressible pusher plate therebetween which is compressed as it is moved towards an opening in an input chute so that a workpiece may roll between the jaws of the gripper.