Apparatus including a collar for aligning opposing first and second tool sections such as mold halves during closing of the tool sections and a tool utilizing same are provided. Each apparatus includes a projection such as a solid pin integrally including a frustum-shaped tapered portion and a cylindrically-shaped guide portion. The apparatus further includes a bushing having an upper surface and a central opening with internal contours which are complementary to outer contours of the guide portion. The collar has a lower surface and a central opening which is aligned with the central opening of the bushing when the collar is mounted at a predetermined position on the bushing with the upper and lower surfaces in abutting engagement. The collar opening has internal contours which are complementary to outer contours of the tapered portion. The tapered portion of the projection and the collar guide and direct the tool sections into alignment as the tool sections close. The tool includes the first and second sections and a plurality of the apparatus.