Cutting Tools (Types Classification, & Characteristics)

A cutting tool is a machine that cuts material using a blade at the end of the shank. The materials used to make the blade include ceramic, cemented carbide, high-speed steel, diamond/CBN, and ceramic.

Machining is a process used in manufacturing activities. In this process, by shearing from a preformed blank in the form of a chip, the excess portion of the material work is gradually eliminated. In machining, a heavy, robust, and oblique or wedge-shaped tool, referred to as the cutting tool, is used to compress the material to shear off the excess layer.

The main objective of a cutting tool is to cut off a particular layer of the workpiece to provide a certain shape as an outcome. A wedge-shaped tool with a fine tip allows easier removal of the unwanted substance layer by applying minimal effort.

To learn more about the cutting tools types, classifications, and characteristics, let's move on to the article.

What is a Cutting Tool?

In order to give the workpiece a certain size, form, and accuracy, it is necessary to shear it off from the extra material layer using a cutting tool, which is a sharp-edged, wedge-shaped instrument. The machine tool is closely focused on it. The relative speed of operation between the cutting tool and the workpiece is facilitated by various mechanical arrangements to perform the cutting action.

Types of Cutting Tools in the Workshop

The cutting tool, as the name implies, is used in machining technology for cutting operations. It is possible to use the cutters in various kinds of machining applications. Therefore, based on their respective positions in machining, the cutters have been named accordingly. Here is a list of the commonly used cutting tools:

1. Air Saw Blades

Air Saw Blades is a heavy-duty air reciprocating saw that can cut flat and curved surfaces easily. These air saws are particularly made for cutting metal at high speeds. It is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, which makes it extremely durable and can withstand corrosion and other chemical reactions. 

2. Auger Bits

Auger bits have screw tips that bore into wood effortlessly and twist the whole way along their length to make the hole clean and remove as much of the chips and dust produced during drilling as possible. The auger bit features dual cutting blades, which make balanced drilling and nail cutting a breeze.

3. Hack Saws

One tool that is very useful for cutting materials like plastic, steel, and metal is a hacksaw. These Bi-metal hacksaws are a version of classic hand saws, which are often used for cutting wood. Professionals and DIYers popularly use hacksaws. They are typically 12 inches in size and available in a variety of teeth for cutting materials.

4. Hole Saws

A Bi-Metal Cobalt Hole Saw is a type of hand tool with a 4/6 variable tooth pitch and 1-1/2" cutting depth designed strictly for cutting through materials such as plastic, steel, and other metals.

5. Hole Saw Arbors

The Hole Saw Arbors are a type of hand drill tool that connects a drill chuck to the actual saw itself. Also known as a mandrel. Hole saw mandrel is versatile and can be used with several Hole saw diameters.  It allows you to change saws quickly and efficiently since there is no need to remove the arbor from the device.

6. Recip Blades

Recip Blades are made of high-quality steel. The combination set provides a selection of blades for standard applications. Metal Reciprocating Saw Blades are compatible with all reciprocating saw brands. These Bi-Metal reciprocating saw blades are MADE IN USA. It is an excellent addition to any saw set and ideal for use with metal, plastic, wood, and drywall.

7. Spade Bits

A wide range of Spade bits and flat blades is available on the market. These bits are mostly employed by retailers, including electricians and plumbers, for various applications, including drilling holes in walls for putting wires or pipes. The strong cutting edge of the flat paddle form guarantees an even and clean hole.

8. TCT Hole Cutters

TCT Hole Cutters cut into sheet metal, wood, and other materials with ease. As cutters, they are efficient as they cut the hole’s circumference. Include hole cutter, hex key, and pilot bit. These hole cutters have become the type to have at your disposal for cutting into metal. These hole saws make precision, accurate, clean round holes in metal & steel sheets. It is used by metal fabrication experts and those who prefer the highest standard for their tools.

9. TCT Saw Blades (Aluminum, Steel, Wood)

Tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) blades are specially designed to cut aluminum, wood, steel & other metals, including bar, die-castings, extrusion, and sheet. These Cutting blades are ideal for Aluminum and Non-Ferrous Metals. 

10. Drill

This cutter performs the drilling operation and is associated with the drilling, milling, or lathe machine. 

11. Chop Saw

A chop saw is used to cut materials in length, and these saws are fixed in one place. It is composed of a rotating abrasive or sharp blade that is suspended on an arm above a fixed base.

12. Mill (or Milling cutter)

This tool is used for the milling tasks on the milling machine. 

13. Fly cutter 

Fly milling can be easily done using a fly cutter

14. Shaper 

This cutter is for the workpiece to provide a precise shape and precision, and is used on the shaping unit.

15. Planer 

It is similar to a sharper. In this method, however, the larger workpieces that move during the process are used while the cutter moves in shape.

16. Boring bar

To perform the tedious process, this cutting system is carried out on the light or drilling rig.

17. Reamer 

The reamer is for the last stages of the drilling machines.

18. Broach 

A broach is also used to complete the final stages of drilling machines. 

19. Hob

This cutter performs the hobbing operation on the hobbing machine. 

20. Grinding wheel

A type of abrasive tool used for grinding purposes with a grinding machine.

21. Welders

For cutting through the steel, welding tools use an ultra-hot, intense flame. Without physical resistance, a welder's flame will melt its way through hard and dense materials. It typically results, however, in rough or dirty edges.

Classification of Cutting Tools

In many ways, cutting tools may be classified. However, the most generic method depends on the number of core cutting wedges involved at a time in the cutting process.

Based on this, as described below, the cutters are classified into three sections:

• Single-point cutting tool — This kind of cutting tool only has one leading cutting edge that cuts at the same time. The dull tool, slotting tools, turning tools, fly cutting tools, and more are some of the single-point cutter cases. 

• Double point cutting tool — As the name suggests, this cutting tool consists of double cutter edges that take part in a single pass of the cutting process at the same time. The drilling tool is an example of a dual-point cutter.

• Multi-point cutting tool — There are more than two core flutes (cutting edges) in this cutting tool that can shear off the excess material layer from the workpiece simultaneously in one pass. Broach, milling wheel, a milling cutter, gear hobbing cutter, and others are some instances of the multi-point cutter.

Other Classifications of Cutting Tools

Here is the list of other classifications of cutting tools, which helps you learn about the tool’s design and its applications.

• Based on Material

Cutting tools can be categorized based on their material composition, and each one has specific qualities that make it ideal for a number of applications. For regular use, HSS provides a great combination of toughness and resistance to wear. Carbides are perfectly suitable for harder materials and for faster speeds due to their remarkable hardness and heat resistance qualities.

Ceramics offer exceptional hardness and thermal stability for high-speed finishing. Cubic Boron Nitride is also extremely hard and can be used to machine toughened ferrous alloys. Lastly, diamond, the hardest of all, is mainly used for accurate work on non-ferrous materials. The tool's durability, performance, and the number of usable materials are all defined by the material.

• Based on Intended Use

Cutting tools are widely categorized into roughing tools and finishing tools according to their intended use. Roughing tools are mainly known for their speed and efficiency over surface quality and are popularly used for high removal rates. They are strong and can endure heavy pressure.

Finishing tools, on the other hand, are commonly used to get a smooth and accurate finish. They work at lower feed rates and depths of cuts to get a precise finish with their sharper cutting edges. The selection between roughing and finishing tools is based on the level of machining operation and the required result.

• Based on Hand vs Power operated.

Cutting tools can also be classified based on how they operate-  hand tools and power or machine tools. Hand tools work and are controlled manually by the user, depending on the physical force and skill. Knives, saws, chisels, etc, are a few examples of hand-cutting tools. They are mostly used for small projects, repairs, or in situations where using machine tools is not possible. 

On the other hand, power tools are powered by electricity and can cut more accurately, repeatedly, and rapidly. Milling cutters and drills are used with machines, including lathes, milling machines, and drill presses, which are crucial for large-scale manufacturing and complex work.

• Based on Cutting Applications

Cutting tools can also be classified according to their coolant application, which is based on wet cutting tools and dry cutting tools. Wet cutting tools are popularly used, wherein the coolants are essential to dissipate heat, lubricate the cutting interface, wash chips, enhance the surface finish, and increase the tool's lifespan.

Dry cutting tools, on the other hand, are mainly used without any additional coolant, or in conditions where using coolant is not possible or undesired because of material compatibility or expense. 

Characteristic of Cutting Tool Materials

You need to take care of the material property, strength, and quality when you choose or make a cutting tool. Below are some characteristics of the cutting tool:

• Even at higher or lower temperatures, cutting tools should have elevated strength and hardness.
• None of the material properties (ductility, hardness, strength) of the long run should be changed.
• It should have high strength and should be able to resist shock and vibration.
• Less expensive.
• They are fabricated quickly.
• It needs to have a low friction coefficient.

Conclusion 

That was all about the styles and classifications of the cutting methods. If you are new to machining technology, this article can help you learn more about cutting tools from the center, which is needed by the primary machining tool.