In a method for operating a machine tool, a machine-specific flow resistance and a respective tool-specific flow resistance are ascertained for various tools. Tool-specific regulator parameters for regulating a pump of a coolant lubricant device are computed on the basis of the machine-specific flow resistance and the tool-specific flow resistance of the tool chucked in a tool spindle. Subsequently, the machine tool is operated using the tool-specific regulator parameters. In this way, a rapid and exact feed of coolant lubricant to the machining point of the respective chucked tool is enabled in a simple and flexible manner.