Abstract: A machine tool spindle (1) serving to receive toolholders (13) with different shanks (8, 16) by turns has a frustoconical receiving bore (3) in its head (1a) for receiving a steep-angle taper shank of a first toolholder. The spindle head (1a) is provided with an end face (4) surrounding the frustoconical receiving bore (3). Immediately adjoining this end face there is provided a first nesting bore (8) whose diameter (D) is slightly greater than the theoretical diameter of the frustoconical receiving bore (3) in the plane of the end face (4). The axial length of the nesting bore (8) is only about 10-15% of the theoretical diameter. The nesting bore (8) serves to receive a first cylindrical nesting shoulder (15) of the second toolholder (13). At the inner end of the receiving bore (3) there is provided a second nesting bore (40) into which a second nesting shoulder (41) is arranged at that end of the toolholder (13) which is located in the spindle fits.