A woodworking spindle has a spindle shaft disposed in a spindle housing. One or more rotary bearings support the spindle shaft in the spindle housing. One or more temperature sensors are provided that detect the temperature of the one or more rotary bearings. An evaluation unit is provided and temperature signals generated by the temperature sensors are supplied to the evaluation unit that generates output signals based on evaluation of the temperature signals generated by the temperature sensors. In a method for monitoring the temperature of rotary bearings of a spindle of a woodworking machine, the temperature of the rotary bearings is permanently detected and rotary bearing temperature signals are generated. The rotary bearing temperature signals are sent to an evaluation unit and compared with a first temperature limit value. A first output signal is generated when the temperature signals reach a first temperature limit value.
