to input a desired length of padding on activation of the push button 18 the drive motor is started in a known manner and the manufacture of a piece of paper padding starts after release of the push button 18 a cutting procedure is triggered and the drive motor is stopped so that the time period of the activation of the push button 18 corresponds to a specific length of padding the control 10 is made such that the length of padding produced by actuation and release of the push button 18 is stored automatically i e in a self acting manner and without a further push button pressure in the memory of the control and is made available for a further call up in this process either the time can be determined during which the push button 18 is held depressed alternatively the revolutions of the drive motor occurring during this period or the like can be determined by the control since these also correlate with the length of padding produced if the operator desires that a further piece of padding is manufactured in the length just produced a brief pressing of the push button 18 is sufficient whereupon the control calls up the value stored in the memory which corresponds to the length of padding just produced and produces a further piece of padding in this length for the further increase of the ease of operation the control 10 has a selection switch 20 with which a plurality of memory locations in the memory of the control 10 can be selected a respectively produced length of padding can be stored automatically in these memory locations i e the length automatically stored by the control 10 is.