A method for the automatic feeding of fasteners to fastener insertion apparatus, the apparatus comprising a fastener insertion tool configured to insert X fasteners in an insertion cycle, a buffer for the temporary storage of fasteners in a track defined by the buffer, the buffer having an inlet, and a delivery track for transporting fasteners from the buffer towards a fastener delivery passage of the tool, the insertion apparatus being movable between an operative position where it is able to insert fasteners via the delivery passage in the tool into a workpiece and a refilling position where it is docked at a docking station so as to permit the buffer to be loaded with fasteners from a storage track of the docking station, the storage track being connected to a source of fasteners, the method characterised in that it comprises: (a) executing a start-up routine to ensure the docking station storage track is initially filled with sufficient fasteners for an insertion cycle to be performed and moving the insertion apparatus to the refilling position; (b) transferring fasteners from the storage track into the buffer via the inlet; (c) filling the docking station storage track with fewer than X fasteners, moving the insertion apparatus to the operative position, and inserting X fasteners; (d) moving the insertion apparatus to the refilling position and transferring the fasteners in the storage track into the buffer via the inlet; (e) detecting whether the buffer contains at least a predetermined quantity of fasteners, and if so repeating (c) and (d) until it does not; (f) subsequently filling the docking station storage track with more than X fasteners and moving the insertion apparatus to the operative position and inserting X fasteners; moving the insertion apparatus to the refilling position and transferring the fasteners in the storage track into the buffer via the inlet; (g) detecting whether the buffer contains at least said predetermined quantity of fasteners, and if not repeating (f) until it does; (h) subsequently filling the docking station storage track with X fasteners, moving the insertion apparatus to the operative position, inserting X fasteners, then moving the insertion apparatus to the refilling position and transferring the fasteners in the store at the docking station into the buffer via the inlet. (a) executing a start-up routine to ensure the docking station storage track is initially filled with sufficient fasteners for an insertion cycle to be performed and moving the insertion apparatus to the refilling position; (b) transferring fasteners from the storage track into the buffer via the inlet; (c) filling the docking station storage track with fewer than X fasteners, moving the insertion apparatus to the operative position, and inserting X fasteners; (d) moving the insertion apparatus to the refilling position and transferring the fasteners in the storage track into the buffer via the inlet; (e) detecting whether the buffer contains at least a predetermined quantity of fasteners, and if so repeating (c) and (d) until it does not; (f) subsequently filling the docking station storage track with more than X fasteners and moving the insertion apparatus to the operative position and inserting X fasteners; moving the insertion apparatus to the refilling position and transferring the fasteners in the storage track into the buffer via the inlet; (g) detecting whether the buffer contains at least said predetermined quantity of fasteners, and if not repeating (f) until it does; (h) subsequently filling the docking station storage track with X fasteners, moving the insertion apparatus to the operative position, inserting X fasteners, then moving the insertion apparatus to the refilling position and transferring the fasteners in the store at the docking station into the buffer via the inlet.