An apparatus for the manufacture of profiled plastic pipes comprises a machine bed (1) that half shells (2, 2′) are guided on, forming a molding path (9). A driving pinion (17) is provided above the molding path (9). At least one lower driving pinion (41) is provided on the machine bed (1) along the molding path (9). A lower indentation (39, 39′) is formed in the area of the lower side (30, 30′) of the half shells (2, 2′), with the at least one lower driving pinion (41, 41′) engaging therewith.