The invention relates to a method for operating a handheld electric power tool, having an electric motor that is drivable at a rated torque as the maximum allowable motor torque by the application of a maximum allowable motor current. The method includes the steps of manually furnishing a specification of a maximum torque, in which the maximum torque is within a setting range between a minimum set torque and the rated torque, operating the electric motor by applying a motor voltage which corresponds to an rpm desired by the user, and limiting the motor current to a current value that depends on the furnished specification of the maximum torque.
The invention also related to a drive unit for an electric power tool, which includes an electric motor drivable at a rated torque as a maximum allowable motor torque by application of a maximum allowable motor current. A setting element manually furnishes a specification of a maximum torque, the maximum torque being within a range between zero and the rated torque. A triggering unit operates the electric motor by applying a motor voltage that corresponds to an rpm desired by the user. A motor controller limits the motor current to a current value that depends on the furnished specification of the maximum torque.