Apparatus and method for driving an object such as a nail covered by a deformable member such as a shingle without damage to the latter. Force is applied by means such as a hammer to a force distributing member in engagement with the deformable member. A force receiving member is positioned opposite the force distributing member and the deformable member is positioned between the force distributing and force receiving members. The force is received from the deformable member by the force receiving member and applied to the object to drive it.
