Machine for lasting side portions of shoes

In a side lasting machine, nozzles (142) are provided for applying adhesive progressively along upstanding lasting marginal portions of a shoe. The height of the nozzles (142) is determined by a shoe- engaging member (170) which runs along the insole during the adhesive application. The relative position between the nozzles (142) and member (170) is varied during the adhesive-applying operation, thus to vary the height between the nozzles (142) and the upstanding lasting margin to which adhesive is being applied. This variation is achieved by means of a piston/cylinder assembly (184) which is controlled by either a timer or a position sensor.