Abstract: An automatic thread cutting machine for nuts and similar mass-produced parts where the nuts or the like are taken from a magazine and moved through a feed trough into a guide where they are held secured against rotation and are then pushed by means of a pusher over a rotating thread cutter from where they are subsequently removed while the pusher is returned to its starting position. The machine is provided with an actuating cylinder which is capable of being charged with a pressure medium and which has a piston rod that is provided at its free end with a plunger serving as the pusher. A clock pulse controlled switch valve arrangement is disposed in the pressure medium line leading to the actuating cylinder, and the machine is electrically protected by a safety device which is influenced by the position of the piston rod, the safety device being rendered operative in dependence on the position of the piston rod.