Method for detecting at least one tool state of a tool of a machine tool for machining workpieces, which comprises at least one tool mount driven by an electric rotary drive which can drive the tool mount, which comprises at least one electric positioning drive, by means of which a distance and/or an angle can be set at least between the workpiece and the tool mount, which comprises at least one tool which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner in the tool mount, and which comprises at least one control unit comprising a storage means, having the steps of a. acquisition or providing tool and workpiece data in the storage means of the control unit; b. providing at least one reference drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive, to which a reference tool state of the tool is assigned at least as a function of the tool and workpiece data, by storing the reference drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive in the form of a data record in the storage means of the control unit; c. detection of at least one actual drive frequency of the rotary drive and the positioning drive; d. assigning the actual drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive to a reference drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive by the control unit, and assigning the reference tool state of the tool by evaluating and/or interpreting at least the reference drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive assigned to the actual drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive by the control unit; e. generating an indication signal by which the reference tool state is indicated and generating a message signal when the reference drive frequency of the rotary drive and the positioning drive associated with the actual drive frequency of the rotary drive and the positioning drive reaches or exceeds a reporting criterion. a. acquisition or providing tool and workpiece data in the storage means of the control unit; b. providing at least one reference drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive, to which a reference tool state of the tool is assigned at least as a function of the tool and workpiece data, by storing the reference drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive in the form of a data record in the storage means of the control unit; c. detection of at least one actual drive frequency of the rotary drive and the positioning drive; d. assigning the actual drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive to a reference drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive by the control unit, and assigning the reference tool state of the tool by evaluating and/or interpreting at least the reference drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive assigned to the actual drive frequency of the rotary drive and of the positioning drive by the control unit; e. generating an indication signal by which the reference tool state is indicated and generating a message signal when the reference drive frequency of the rotary drive and the positioning drive associated with the actual drive frequency of the rotary drive and the positioning drive reaches or exceeds a reporting criterion.