Abstract: Apparatus for making and manipulating sheet-like paper, plastic or metallic blanks in a packing machine has a pivotable conveyor with a gripper which pulls the leader of a running web across the path of successive mandrels or cigarette packs on an indexible turret whereby the gripper overcomes the resistance of a mechanical or pneumatic clamping device which holds the leader of the running web in a position in which the leader can be engaged by the gripper when the conveyor completes a return stroke. The running web is severed by a pair of knives which are installed between the clamping device and the gripper and are caused to cut the web when the gripper reaches an end position in which a sufficient length of the running web is moved across the path of an oncoming mandrel or cigarette pack.