Abstract: A braiding machine comprises an annular rotor (27, 28) provided with a plurality of radially extending peripheral slots (29) between which are provided mechanisms (30) mounting first supply spools (31) on the rotor (27, 28), pivotable arm members (32) are mounted on the rotor (27, 28) for moving the strands from the spools (31) into and out of the slots (29), a plurality of carrier members (39) are mounted on the rotor for movement about the axis of the rotor (27, 28) and each carrier member (39) is provided with a second spool (44), drive (41, 42, 16) are provided for moving each carrier member (39) in the opposite direction of rotation to that of the rotor (27, 28) and at the same rotational speed, the drive (41, 42, 16) including bevel gears (42) mounted on the rotor (27, 28), a toothed rack (41) provided on each carrier member (39) in engagement with the bevel gears ( 42) and an annular driving gear (16) in engagement with the bevel gears (42), some of the bevel gears (42) being connected to a further gea