Beginner’s Guide to Cutting Tools: Types & Uses

Cutting tools are essential in industrial manufacturing and machining. They shape, cut, and refine materials to create precise parts used in everything from automotive and aerospace to construction and heavy equipment manufacturing.

Choosing the right cutting tool improves efficiency, reduces waste, and ensures high-quality results. Below, we’ll explore common metalworking tools, what they’re used for, and what industries they are most commonly found in.

Drill Bits: Creating Holes with Precision

Drill bits are used to cut round holes in metal, wood, plastic, and even concrete. They are found in almost every industrial setting, from automotive assembly lines to construction sites.

• Twist Drills – The most common type, ideal for drilling into metal, wood, and plastic. Used in manufacturing, maintenance, and repair work.
• Spade Drills – Feature a wide, flat blade and are best for drilling large holes in soft materials like wood. Common in carpentry, electrical work, and construction.
• Masonry Drills – Designed with carbide tips to handle tough materials like concrete, brick, and stone. Essential for construction and infrastructure projects.
• Step Drills – Cone-shaped with multiple cutting diameters, allowing users to drill different-sized holes in thin materials like sheet metal. Frequently used in HVAC, electrical, and fabrication shops.

Milling Cutters: Shaping and Smoothing Surfaces

Milling cutters remove material from a workpiece to create slots, grooves, and complex shapes. They are commonly used in high-precision applications, such as automotive, aerospace, and heavy manufacturing.

• End Mills – Versatile tools that cut slots, pockets, and contours in metal and plastic. Used in mold-making, aerospace component production, and precision machining.
• Face Mills – Designed for removing large amounts of material and creating smooth, flat surfaces. Found in engine part production, heavy equipment manufacturing, and metal fabrication.
• Slab Mills – Larger than other milling cutters, these are used for heavy-duty cutting of wide surfaces. Common in steel production and industrial machining.
• Ball Nose Mills – Feature a rounded tip for creating curved shapes and 3D contours. Used in aerospace, tool-and-die making, and automotive prototyping.

Lathe Cutting Tools: Shaping Rotating Materials

Lathes are used to cut and shape materials that rotate, such as metal rods, shafts, and tubing. These tools are critical in industries that require high-precision cylindrical components, including automotive, energy, and heavy machinery.

• Turning Tools – Cut along the length of a rotating workpiece to shape it into a cylinder. Used for making machine shafts, bolts, and engine components.
• Facing Tools – Create smooth, flat surfaces on the ends of workpieces. Important for producing gears, pulleys, and precision fittings.
• Boring Bars – Enlarge existing holes and refine their finish. Common in manufacturing precision engine components, hydraulic parts, and aerospace fittings.
• Threading Tools – Cut internal or external threads on a workpiece. Used for making nuts, bolts, and threaded pipe fittings in industries like plumbing, energy, and transportation.

Carbide Inserts: High-Speed Precision Cutting

Carbide inserts are small, replaceable cutting edges used in lathes, milling machines, and other cutting tools. They are designed for high-speed and heavy-duty machining in industries where precision and durability are critical, such as aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturing.

• Indexable Inserts – Designed with multiple cutting edges that can be rotated to extend tool life. Used in mass production machining for cost-effective performance.
• Brazed Inserts – Permanently attached to a tool holder and used for specialized cutting applications, particularly in automotive and aerospace machining.
• Coated Inserts – Feature protective coatings to enhance durability and heat resistance, making them ideal for cutting hardened metals in heavy equipment manufacturing and energy sector applications.

Understanding the different types of cutting tools and their applications helps industrial facility owners and procurement professionals select the right tools for their operations. Whether you’re drilling, milling, or turning a part, the right cutting tool can improve efficiency, extend tool life, and enhance the quality of your final product. If you’re looking for cutting tools for your facility, Martin Supply’s team of metalworking experts can help you find the right solutions for your industry.