Abstract: Apparatus for clamping a thread in a reeling machine having a reeling cage which is rotatably mounted on the machine frame and comprises bars extending parallel to the axis of rotation thereof, and a thread laying device which is displaceable on the machine frame, for changing laying of an incoming thread in rope form on the bars of the reeling cage, wherein at least one bar of the reeling cage is provided with a strip-like-first brush for clamping a thread between its bristles, and a thread receiver which is displaceable backwards and forwards on the machine frame transversely to the axis of rotation of the reeling cage supports a similar second brush, and wherein a certain thread length can be pulled out by means of an arm which is pivotally mounted on the thread receiver between the second brush advanced together with the thread receiver and the thread laying device, which thread length, after the thread has been severed, the finished rope has been removed and the thread receiver has returned, hangs in the