Control method for a hammer drill

The control method for a hammer drill (1) provides the following steps. During basic operation, the motor (5) rotates at an operating speed for the drilling operation with chiseling action in order to rotationally drive the tool holder (2) and to drive the hammer mechanism (6) with a nominal striking power. The torque coupling (21) is monitored with the aid of a sensor (26). If a disengagement of the torque coupling (21) occurs, the striking power of the hammer mechanism (6) is reduced to below 10% of the nominal striking power during a disengagement of the torque coupling (21), and the torque coupling (21) is driven. When the disengagement of the torque coupling (21) ends, the striking power of the hammer mechanism (6) is increased to the nominal striking power and the torque coupling (21) is driven at the operating speed for the drilling operation with chiseling action.