Abstract: A swivel mechanism for kerf-cutting machines comprising a cutter arm, which carries the cutting tool, in which mechanism the cutter arm is pivoted to a swivel head on a horizontal axis for a vertical angular movement, said swivel head is pivoted on an approximately vertical axis to a bearing disc, which is rigidly connected to the frame of the cutting machine and has an outer annular zone that is engaged on both sides by sliding surfaces of the swivel head, and swivel drive means are provided for imparting angular movements to the swivel head, characterized in that the swivel drive means comprise two racks, which are mounted in the swivel head for movement in mutually opposite directions, which are parallel to the vertical center plane of the cutter arm, and a pinion is connected to and coaxial with the bearing disc and is in mesh with said racks at diametrically opposite points of said pinion.