Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for tightening threaded fasteners by means of a controlled fastener-driving tool. The tightening of the fasteners is controlled by the elastic limit thereof. The slope of the actual load-strain characteristic curve is continuously determined during the fastener-driving operation. This actual slope is compared with a predetermined slope determined with reference to a characteristic curve. When the predetermined slope is reached, a control signal is generated to switch off the fastener-driving tool. In practice, departures occur in the actual characteristic curve of an actual fastener-driving operation.