A method for controlling a power tool includes ascertaining a workpiece characteristic of the workpiece to be processed from previously acquired measured values, determining the workpiece material from the workpiece characteristic of the workpiece to be processed, specifying initial values, which are suitable for processing the workpiece made of the determined workpiece material using the power tool, for machine parameters such as feed, speed, and torque, storing the initial values for putting the power tool into operation with machine parameters set to the initial values and/or putting the power tool into operation with machine parameters set to the initial values. A cooling constant is ascertained according to the Newtonian cooling law as the workpiece characteristic of the workpiece to be processed. To ascertain the cooling constant, the ambient temperature is measured, the workpiece is heated, and the actual temperature of the workpiece is measured, whereupon the cooling constant is computed.