A method for controlling a sawing machine is provided. For a first cut in a workpiece, a working feed rate that is specific to the workpiece geometry, the workpiece material and the sawing tool is defined in advance. During the first cut, an instantaneous value of a physical variable is determined at a frequency converter, that is related to the torque transmitted by the sawing tool drive to the sawing tool, and this value is transmitted as an instantaneous torque value to a machine controller. The instantaneous torque value is continuously evaluated, a maximum torque value of the first cut is determined and a maximum value for the torque value is defined based thereon. For subsequent cuts in the same workpiece, the working feed rate is regulated, using the instantaneous torque value as a regulating variable, such that the instantaneous torque value is kept constant, close to the maximum valve.