Information Sheet No.

05

Cutting Tools

Learning Objective:

At the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:

1. Identify the parts and uses of lathe cutting tools.

Introduction

It is very important to understand the metal cutting action of a lathe tool. You need to
know the different types of tool material, their shapes, and angles. If the correct tool is
chosen, it will cut well.

Parts of a High Speed Steel Lathe Tool

Figure 4.2 – Parts of a High Speed Steel Tool Bit

Right and Left Hand Cutting Tools

Lathe tools are defined as right or left hand according

to the direction in which they must travel to take a
cut. A right hand tool cuts from right to left, from the
tailstock to the headstock and the opposite for a left
hand tool. Some tools are ground so that they can
cut in either direction. The shape of the tool depends
largely on the type of operation required.
 Figure 4.3 – Right Hand and Left Hand Cutting
Tool
Types of Chip Formation

When cutting on the lathe, there are two forms of chips formed.

Continuous Chips

They are formed when:

 Cutting ductile work materials, such as
mild steel, copper and aluminium.
 Having a sharp cutting edge on the tool.
 Having a large rake angle on the tool.
 Using cutting fluid.
 Using fine feed (thin chip)

Figure 4.4.1 – Continuous Chip

Discontinuous Chips

They are formed when:

 Cutting brittle work materials, such as
cast iron.
 Having a small rake angle on the tool.
 Using coarse feed (Thick chip)

Figure 4.4.2 – Discontinuous Chip

Lathe Tool Angles

The shape of the tool bit is an important factor in
determining the cutting properties of a tool bit. The
tool should be sharp enough to force its way into the
work. It must also retain sufficient material behind
the cutting edge to make the tool bit strong enough to
withstand the pressure imposed on it when cutting
and the resultant heat generated.
The function the tool has to perform also determines its shape. The following are the
common angles ground on a lathe tool bit.

Figure 4.5 – Angles Ground on a

Lathe Tool Bit
Top Rake Angle

The tool bits used in a lathe is designed

in such a way that the cutting point of
the tool enters the material first. The top
rake angle is ground on the face from the
nose to the back. It allows the chips to
flow away from the tool.

Figure 4.5.1 – Top Rake Angle

Side Rake Angle

The side rake angle is ground on the face
away from the side cutting edge. It rovides
a sharper cutting edge and allows the
chips to flow away from the tool.

Figure 4.5.2 – Side Rake Angle

Front Clearance Angle

The purpose of clearance angles is to allow the surface of the tool to remain clear of the
work and avoid rubbing of the tool with the work. The amount of clearance angle depends
upon the kind of cut required. The front clearance angle is ground below the front cutting
edge of the tool. It reduces the friction between the flank and the work and allows the tool
to be fed into the work.

Side Clearance Angle

The side clearance angle is ground below the side cutting edge. It reduces friction between
the flank and the work and allows the tool to cut lengthwise into the work
 Figure 4.5.4 – Clearance Angles
Approach Angle

The approach angle is the angle between the cutting edge and the cross slide axis. It can
be set by clamping the tool post in the desired position. It should be positive when used for
plain turning and negative when used for finishing square corners.

Figure 4.5.5 – Approach Angle

Nose Radius

The nose radius is ground at the tip of the tool

bit to make the tip stronger. It also improves
the surface finish of the work. In general, a
0.5mm radius is used for roughing and a
0.1mm radius is used for finishing. If the nose
radius is too big, it will cause chattering and if
it is too small, the tip will be weak.

Figure 4.5.6 – Nose Radius

Tool Angle Gauge

To help obtain the correct angles, a tool angle

gauge is used to measure the ground angles.

Figure 4.5.7 Tool Angle Gauge

Common Lathe Tools

The following are the common tool shapes used.

Roughing Tool

The roughing tool is used to remove

material quickly. This is used during
the roughing cut where large
amounts of material are removed.

Figure 4.6.1 – Roughing Tool

Finishing Tool

The angles of the finishing tool is similar

to the roughing tool except that is has a
bigger nose radius.

Round Nose Tool

The round nose tool is used for finishing the work.
Figure 4.6.3 – Round Nose Tool

Parting Off Tool

The parting-off tool is used for grooving,

under-cutting and parting-off work. It
should not have any side rake angles.

Figure 4.6.4 – Parting-Off Too

Form Thread Cutting Tool The vee-form threading tool is used for thread cutting on the
lathe. For metric threads, the thread angle is 60 degrees.

Figure 4.6.5 – Vee-Form Thread Cutting Tool

Summary of Lathe Tool Shapes

Factors Affecting Tool Angles

The tool angles differ in the machining of different metals according to:
 The Rate of Feed - Coarse feeds for roughing require that the cutting edge be supported
as much as possible. Fine finishing feeds permit keener angles and an easier cutting
action.
 The Nature of Cut - Sometimes a roughing tool has a positive side rake and a negative
top rake to ease the blow as the tool comes into contact with the work. Finishing tools
required greater top rake than side rake because the cut is more on the front than the
side.
 The Nature of Metal -

Front Side Front Side

Material to be Top Side
Clearanc Clearanc Cutting Cutting
Machined Rake Rake
e e Angle Angle

Low Carbon Steel 8 12 15 17 67 61

 Medium Carbon
8 10 12 15 70 65
Steel
High Carbon Steel 8 10 8 12 74 68

Cast Iron 8 8 5 12 77 70

Brass 8 10 0 0 82 80

Bronze 8 10 0 0 82 80

Aluminium 8 12 35 15 47 63

4.1 Lathe Tool Materials-High Speed Steel & Cemented Carbide

Not any material can be used as a lathe tool. The material chosen for must have the following properties:

 Sufficient strength to resist the cutting forces.

 Sufficient hardness to resist wear and give an adequate life between re-grinds.
 It must retain its hardness at the high temperatures generated at the tool point when cutting.

The two most common types of material used for making lathe tools are:
 High Speed Steel
 Cemented Carbide
4.1.1 High Speed Steel ( HSS )
High Speed Steel is suitable for cutting most metals, such as mild steel, copper, bronze, aluminium and
cast iron. It is used for making lathe tools because of the following properties:

 It is hard and tough

 It has good wear resistance
 It remains hard at high temperatures
 Figure 4.8.1 – Applications of High Speed Steel

The High Speed Steel cutting tool is available in two forms.

Solid Tool

The solid tool is completely made from high speed steel and is clamped directly onto the
tool post.

Figure 4.8.1a – Solid Tool Bit

Tool Bit

The tool bit is a smaller tool and is held in a tool holder which is then held in the tool post.

Figure 4.8.1b – Tool Bit Held in a Tool Holder

Cemented Carbide

Cemented Carbide tools are suitable for cutting hard and tough metals, such as stainless
steel and tool steel. It has the following properties:
 It is hard and brittle
 It has very good wear resistance
 It has better red hardness than high speed steel
 Its cutting speed can be 3 times faster than high speed steel
 Figure 4.8.2 – Applications of Cemented Carbide

Cemented carbide cutting tools are also available in 2 forms:

a. Tipped Tool

The tip which is made of cemented carbide is brazed onto a solid shank made of
another metal which is then held in the tool post.

Figure 4.8.2a – Tipped Tool

Throwaway Insert

The insert is held in a special tool holder which is then held in the tool post. It is
indexable, which means you can use the different corners of the insert. The insert is
thrown away once all the cutting edges are worn out.