Method for handling a wound thread strand, • which in particular consists of hollow threads for dialysers or similar filtration devices, • having a reel with only two carrier arms (4; 5) on which the thread strand is wound, • wherein the reel stops in a defined position when the desired number of threads is reached, • and wherein there is provided a transfer gripper (16; 17) which is able to hold the threads supplied to the reel, cut through them and transfer them to a new and/or empty reel, • and also a clamp which fixes the start of the supplied threads to the new and/or empty reel, • and also limiting means (7; 8a; 8b; 8c) on the carrier arms (4; 5) which guide and hold the thread strand laterally in the region of the rerouting, characterised by the following features: 1.1 on the side of the thread strand that is remote from the reel bar, in each case a plurality of limiting pins (8a; 8b; 8c) are attached to the carrier arms (4; 5), which limiting pins are mounted to be pivotable through 90° and the axes of rotation of which extend perpendicular to the carrier arm longitudinal axis; 1.2 a plunger mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the inside of the carrier arms is connected to the limiting pins (8a; 8b; 8c) in such a manner that a linear movement in the direction of the carrier arm longitudinal axis by the amount (c) brings about a 90° rotation of the limiting pins; 1.3 a gripper device, consisting of at least two grippers (16; 17) with the associated gripper jaws (18; 19), is able to enclose the thread strand and, with the aid of a linear shaft, move it in the direction of the reel axis of rotation by the distance (d), whereby the threads are stripped from the carrier arms (4; 5); 1.4 the distance between the grippers (16; 17) and the carrier arms (4; 5) can in each case be shortened by an amount (a), either by pneumatically or electric motor driven telescopic devices, which reduce the distance between the grippers and, or by corresponding devices in the reel bar, which reduce the distance between the carrier arms and. • which in particular consists of hollow threads for dialysers or similar filtration devices, • having a reel with only two carrier arms (4; 5) on which the thread strand is wound, • wherein the reel stops in a defined position when the desired number of threads is reached, • and wherein there is provided a transfer gripper (16; 17) which is able to hold the threads supplied to the reel, cut through them and transfer them to a new and/or empty reel, • and also a clamp which fixes the start of the supplied threads to the new and/or empty reel, • and also limiting means (7; 8a; 8b; 8c) on the carrier arms (4; 5) which guide and hold the thread strand laterally in the region of the rerouting, 1.1 on the side of the thread strand that is remote from the reel bar, in each case a plurality of limiting pins (8a; 8b; 8c) are attached to the carrier arms (4; 5), which limiting pins are mounted to be pivotable through 90° and the axes of rotation of which extend perpendicular to the carrier arm longitudinal axis; 1.2 a plunger mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the inside of the carrier arms is connected to the limiting pins (8a; 8b; 8c) in such a manner that a linear movement in the direction of the carrier arm longitudinal axis by the amount (c) brings about a 90° rotation of the limiting pins; 1.3 a gripper device, consisting of at least two grippers (16; 17) with the associated gripper jaws (18; 19), is able to enclose the thread strand and, with the aid of a linear shaft, move it in the direction of the reel axis of rotation by the distance (d), whereby the threads are stripped from the carrier arms (4; 5); 1.4 the distance between the grippers (16; 17) and the carrier arms (4; 5) can in each case be shortened by an amount (a), either by pneumatically or electric motor driven telescopic devices, which reduce the distance between the grippers and, or by corresponding devices in the reel bar, which reduce the distance between the carrier arms and.