Common Cutting Tools for Machining: A Complete Guide
2025/10/14
What Are Cutting Tools in Machining?
In metal and resin machining, the choice of cutting tool depends on the part shape and the material’s properties. For example, in machining centers, cutting usually starts from a block of material. To achieve stable dimensions, it’s best to use the shortest, thickest tool possible and gradually remove material.
If a tool is too long or thin, accuracy suffers and the tool is more likely to break. To avoid breakage, operators often slow the cutting speed, but this increases machining costs.
Cutting conditions must be carefully set. Spindle speed and feed rate directly affect tool wear, accuracy, and machining time. If set too high, tools and workpieces chip or wear prematurely.
In NC (numerical control) programs, spindle speed is controlled with the S function and feed rate with the F function. For example:
S1000means the spindle rotates 1,000 times per minute.F100means the tool advances at 100 mm per minute.
Feed rate and spindle speed must be balanced. Large material removal requires slower feeds, while higher feeds shorten machining time. Operators adjust conditions based on manufacturer recommendations, chip shape, cutting sound, and tool condition.
Types of Cutting Tools
Drill
Drills are among the most common machining tools, used with drilling machines, lathes, and milling machines. High-speed steel (HSS) drills are durable and less prone to chipping, while carbide drills handle more difficult to machine materials, and are suitable for high-precision machining.
Types of Drills
Name | Description |
|---|---|
High-Helix Drill | Has a helix angle larger than the standard 20 to 30°. Sharp cutting edges reduce resistance but are more prone to breakage. |
Low-Helix Drill | Has a helix angle smaller than 20°. Stronger edges that are less breakage prone but has higher resistance. |
Straight Shank Drill | Shank and cutting diameter are the same. Used for simple drilling operations. |
Reamer-Type Drill | Shank diameter larger than the cutting diameter. Used for high-precision and small diameter machining. |
Step Drill | Drills and chamfers in one operation. |
Starting Drill | Also called a leading drill. It has a short helix portion and a tip angle of 90°, used when making a center punch mark. |
Thin Plate Drill | Has a candle-shaped tip and used for sheet metal. |
Center Drill | Used for positioning, spot drilling, or making center holes in cylindrical workpieces. |
Drill with Oil Hole | Delivers cutting oil from the tip. Helps prevent chip clogging and reduces heat generation during machining. |
Tap
A tap is a cutting tool used for machining screw holes. Standard types include metric (M screws), inch, pipe, and trapezoidal threads. For non-standard threads, custom taps may be manufactured.
A tap consists of four main parts:
Cutting tip: the “starting section” that engages the material
Flute: the grooves through which chips are removed
Threaded portion: the section that forms the screw threads
Shank: the handle portion of the tool
Types of Taps
Name | Description |
|---|---|
Hand Tap | Used for manually cutting screw holes. Hand taps come in three types: taper (1st), intermediate (2nd), and bottom (3rd). These differ in the number of teeth in the cutting tip: typically, the taper tap has 9 teeth, the intermediate tap has 5 teeth, and the bottom tap has 1.5 teeth. |
Spiral Tap | Features spiral flutes that push chips upward and away from the cutting direction. Ideal for blind holes and commonly used in machine operations. |
Point Tap | Has an angled tip that drives chips forward in the same direction as the cutting motion. Best suited for threading through-holes. |
Roll Tap | Forms threads by pressing the material rather than cutting it. This produces no chips and results in stronger threads, though it requires high torque. Roll taps are mainly used in machine operations. |
Lathe Cutting Tool
A lathe tool (bite) refers to a tool used on a lathe. Its structure consist of a shank, which serves as the handle, and a tip (insert)m which is the cutting part. The most common type is the throwaway (indexable) lathe tool with replaceable inserts.
Types of Lathe Tools by Structure
Name | Description |
|---|---|
Throwaway (Indexable) Lathe Tool | A lathe tool in which the tip (insert) and shank are separate parts. Replaceable tips, easy maintenance. |
Solid (Integral Lathe) Tool | A lathe tool made as a single piece of material with the tip and shank integrated. The tip is unfinished, making it suitable for cutting operations requiring special shapes. |
Brazed Lathe Tool | A lathe tool in which the tip and shank are separate parts, joined together by brazing, making it easily customizable |
Types of Lathe Tools by Application
Name | Description |
|---|---|
Single-Point Lathe Tool | Frequently used in lathe operations. It is used for machining the outer surface (horizontal direction) or the end face of a workpiece (vertical direction). |
Parting (Cut-Off) Tool | Cuts off material or O-ring grooves. The tip is thin and weak, so it is generally not fed horizontally. |
Center Drill | Used on a lathe to drill center holes on end faces. It is shorter and thicker than a standard drill, which reduces deflection during machining. |
Boring Tool | Enlarges holes for dimensional accuracy. |
Die
A die cuts external threads on round bars by rotating it with a die handle. Because it is more difficult than tap machining, finishing is often done on a lathe.
Insert
An insert is a cutting tool for lathe operations. It attaches to the shank (the tool body) and comes in materials such as carbide alloys and tool steel, depending on the workpiece. Separate inserts for roughing and finishing help achieve a stable surface finish.
The combination of shank and insert is called a lathe tool (bite). These tools handle inner and outer diameter cutting as well as threading. Inserts are usually sold in multiple units, with triangular shapes being the most common.
End Mill
An end mill has a cutting section along both its sides and bottom, with a shank for mounting. It is widely used for drilling, slotting, and finishing internal and external diameters. End mills can have two or more cutting edges arranged helically. A ball end mill, with its rounded tip, is especially useful for finishing curved surfaces.
Types of End Mills
Name | Description |
|---|---|
Square End Mill | A versatile end mill with a flat tip. Used for side cutting, slotting, finishing, and face milling. |
Ball End Mill | An end mill with a rounded tip. Ideal for machining and finishing curved surfaces. |
Roughing (Rough) End Mill | Features serrated edges, reduces cutting resistance. Used for roughing operations. |
Radius (R) End Mill | Has a rounded tip at the bottom. Suitable for finishing flat and curved surfaces. Compared to a ball end mill, it provides a larger cutting diameter for more stable finishing. |
Milling Cutter
A milling cutter is used on milling machines or machining centers. It can handle a wide range of operations depending on the design.
Types of Milling Cutters
Name | Description |
|---|---|
Face Mill | Also called a face milling cutter. Multiple cutting edges on the outer diameter make it ideal for machining wide flat surfaces or stepped surfaces. |
Dovetail Cutter | Has a trapezoidal cutting edge and is used for machining O-ring grooves. |
T-Slot Cutter | Cuts both peripheral and side surfaces. Used for T-slot and general slot machining. |
Chamfer Cutter | Used to chamfer edges. Can also deburr screw holes and create countersunk seats for screw heads. |
Reamer
A reamer is used for drilling operations that require precise hole dimensions and smooth finishes.
Types of Reamers
Name | Description |
|---|---|
Hand Reamer (Band Reamer) | A reamer for manual use. The shank is straight, and the tip has a square shape. It is operated using a tap handle for reaming. |
Chuck Reamer | Shorter cutting length and an entry angle of around 45°. Available with straight or tapered shanks. |
Machine Reamer | Used on machines. Longer cutting length than a chuck reamer. Shank is tapered, and the cutting portion has a 45° entry angle. |
Taper Reamer | Finishes tapered holes. Available in manual and machine versions. |
Countersink
A countersink has a conical tip and is used to deburr drilled holes. It can also create conical seats for screw heads.
Step Up Your Project with Yumoto Electric
Yumoto Electric delivers high-quality components fast, worldwide. We provide precision machining for a wide range of metals and engineering plastics. We have experience with over 200 materials including metals such as aluminum alloys, stainless steel, molybdenum, and titanium, and engineering plastics including PEEK, PPS, MC Nylon, and POM.
If you’re unsure about material selection or machining methods, we offer complimentary consultations to help optimize your design and production. For any questions, please feel free to contact us.
