Pallet nail clinching apparatus and methods

An apparatus for clinching nails into workpieces comprising:

• a clinch surface member including a first edge ramp at a first end thereof;
• a bottom flange member capable of being secured to a fixed station;
• and
• a web flange member arranged between the clinch surface member and the bottom flange member;
• wherein the clinch surface member and the web flange member are configured such that a top stringer of a pallet is capable of being slid over the first edge ramp and rested on the clinch surface member while a bottom stringer of the pallet is supported between the clinch surface member and the bottom flange member.

An apparatus for clinching nails into workpieces comprising:

• an arm including a proximal end and a distal end;
• a handle arranged on the proximal end of the arm;
• an expandable clinching head arranged on the distal end of the arm, the expandable clinching head including at least one displaceable clinching plate;
• wherein the at least one displaceable clinching plate is capable of deflecting a tip of a fastener away from the expandable clinching plate head when the fastener is driven into the clinching plate.