Abstract: To simplify and improve the design, and thus at the same time the maintenance and/or repair possibilities, of an apparatus, which can be shifted longitudinally along an open-end spinning machine, for automatic start-spinning a thread and to additionally achieve more efficient and economical operation of the entire apparatus, the operating devices, control elements necessary for performing individual steps are divided into at least two automatic and largely independently operating groups, with which the entire start-spinning operation is divided into at least two successive parts.