Machine Tools and Metal Cutting MCQs 2026

Primary function of a lathe is

1. A to generate flat surfaces by reciprocating table only ✓
2. B to produce cylindrical surfaces by rotating work against cutting tool ✓
3. C to join metals by electric arc only ✓
4. D to compact powder in a die ✓

Headstock of a lathe contains

1. A tailstock quill only ✓
2. B main spindle and speed change mechanism ✓
3. C milling arbor support only ✓
4. D grinding wheel guard ✓

Tailstock on a lathe is used for

1. A supporting long work and holding drills or reamers ✓
2. B rotating the chuck mandrel ✓
3. C indexing for milling slots ✓
4. D generating gear teeth ✓

Chuck on lathe holds work primarily by

1. A magnetic flux through bed ✓
2. B hydraulic press ram force ✓
3. C gripping external or internal diameter ✓
4. D welding electrode clamp ✓

Facing operation on lathe produces

1. A helical thread on shaft ✓
2. B internal keyway by broaching ✓
3. C spur gear profile ✓
4. D flat surface perpendicular to axis at end of work ✓

Turning reduces diameter by

1. A rotating tool only without feed ✓
2. B pouring molten metal on work ✓
3. C sand blasting surface ✓
4. D moving tool parallel to lathe axis ✓

Parting or cutoff on lathe uses

1. A wide face mill on vertical mill ✓
2. B grinding wheel only tangentially ✓
3. C narrow blade tool fed into work to separate piece ✓
4. D forge hammer on anvil ✓

Knurling on lathe creates

1. A removed material chips like threading ✓
2. B hardened martensite layer only ✓
3. C serrated pattern for hand grip by displacing metal ✓
4. D internal spline by broach ✓

Taper turning by compound rest sets

1. A compound slide at half taper angle to feed tool ✓
2. B spindle speed equal to feed rate ✓
3. C tailstock offset zero always ✓
4. D grinding wheel grade only ✓

Tailstock set-over method produces taper by

1. A increasing only RPM ✓
2. B using only parting tool ✓
3. C CNC G-code M06 only ✓
4. D offsetting tailstock axis from headstock axis ✓

Thread cutting on lathe requires

1. A synchronized spindle rotation and longitudinal feed ✓
2. B random feed without leadscrew ✓
3. C only cross slide motion ✓
4. D grinding wheel traverse only ✓

Leadscrew on lathe is used for

1. A thread cutting and precise longitudinal feeds ✓
2. B coolant pump drive only ✓
3. C hydraulic chuck clamping only ✓
4. D grinding wheel balancing ✓

Steady rest supports work

1. A only at tailstock end always ✓
2. B by rotating with chuck jaws ✓
3. C at intermediate point using fixed frame on bed ✓
4. D using magnetic chuck on grinder ✓

Follower rest differs from steady rest because it

1. A is fixed at headstock always ✓
2. B holds grinding wheel ✓
3. C travels with carriage and supports near tool ✓
4. D indexes gear teeth ✓

Mandrel is used to machine

1. A external surfaces on hollow parts already bored ✓
2. B internal threads only on solid bar ✓
3. C welded joint preparation ✓
4. D sand mould cavities ✓

Collet chuck provides

1. A accurate concentric gripping for bar stock ✓
2. B only rough cast iron holding ✓
3. C arc welding clamping ✓
4. D sheet metal bending ✓

Live centre in tailstock has

1. A fixed dead point only always ✓
2. B grinding wheel mounted ✓
3. C milling cutter arbor ✓
4. D rotating point reducing friction on work centre hole ✓

Dead centre does not rotate and is used when

1. A high-speed CNC turning only always ✓
2. B tailstock supports work centre hole on small jobs ✓
3. C EDM wire threading ✓
4. D powder pressing ✓

Cutting speed on lathe is calculated from

1. A feed times depth only ✓
2. B πDN/1000 m/min where D mm and N rpm ✓
3. C tool hardness Rockwell only ✓
4. D coolant pressure bar only ✓

Feed on lathe refers to

1. A tool advance per revolution of work ✓
2. B spindle rpm only ✓
3. C depth of cut squared ✓
4. D motor kW rating ✓

Depth of cut in turning is measured

1. A radially into work reducing diameter ✓
2. B along axis only always ✓
3. C by wheel width on grinder ✓
4. D by weld leg size ✓

Milling machine removes material by

1. A single-point tool on rotating work only ✓
2. B electric spark erosion only ✓
3. C sand mould compaction ✓
4. D rotating multi-point cutter while feeding work ✓

Up milling or conventional milling has

1. A maximum chip at entry always ✓
2. B no horizontal force ✓
3. C tooth enters at thin chip and exits thick ✓
4. D only climb milling possible ✓

CNC stands for

1. A Central Numeric Calibration ✓
2. B Continuous Nonstop Cutting ✓
3. C Computerized Natural Cooling ✓
4. D Computer Numerical Control ✓

Quick return in shaper means

1. A both strokes equal time always ✓
2. B tool rotates continuously ✓
3. C work spins like lathe ✓
4. D cutting stroke slower than idle return stroke ✓

Planer differs from shaper because

1. A tool rotates at high rpm always ✓
2. B work reciprocates while tool is stationary ✓
3. C only grinding is performed ✓
4. D metal is cast in mould ✓

Shaper machine produces flat surfaces by

1. A rotating work on spindle only ✓
2. B EDM spark gap only ✓
3. C reciprocating single-point tool with linear feed ✓
4. D powder sintering ✓

Countersinking creates

1. A conical recess for flat-head screw ✓
2. B square keyway only ✓
3. C internal spline only ✓
4. D lathe taper by offset ✓

Counterboring produces

1. A helical thread only ✓
2. B external knurl only ✓
3. C gear hobbing path ✓
4. D flat-bottom enlarged hole section for bolt head ✓

Peck drilling cycles in CNC

1. A increase only spindle heat ✓
2. B retract chip breaker to clear swarf in deep holes ✓
3. C eliminate coolant always ✓
4. D use only lathe tailstock ✓

Drill point angle for general steel is typically

1. A 90 degrees always for all materials ✓
2. B 118 degrees ✓
3. C 180 degrees flat only ✓
4. D 45 degrees for lathe tools ✓

Tapping cuts

1. A external threads on lathe only by die ✓
2. B spur gear teeth on hob ✓
3. C internal threads with fluted tap rotated into drilled hole ✓
4. D welding seam root ✓

Boring enlarges existing hole with

1. A single-point tool offset in bore ✓
2. B twist drill only always ✓
3. C knurling wheels ✓
4. D tap for external threads ✓

Reaming improves hole by

1. A drilling oversized hole first pass only ✓
2. B removing small amount for size and finish with multi-flute tool ✓
3. C welding filler deposition ✓
4. D sand casting core print ✓

Centre drill creates

1. A small pilot hole and 60 degree centre for lathe ✓
2. B finished bearing bore only ✓
3. C external thread profile ✓
4. D gear tooth root ✓

Drilling removes material by

1. A oscillating single-point tool horizontally ✓
2. B rolling between two dies ✓
3. C explosive cladding ✓
4. D rotating twist drill with axial feed into work ✓

Ball nose end mill is used for

1. A through-hole drilling only ✓
2. B three-dimensional contour and mould surfaces ✓
3. C parting on lathe ✓
4. D sheet metal shearing ✓

Gang milling mounts

1. A only one roughing end mill ✓
2. B welding multiple torches ✓
3. C several cutters on same arbor for multiple surfaces ✓
4. D forge multiple hammers ✓

Straddle milling uses

1. A one end mill only always ✓
2. B lathe steady rest ✓
3. C shaper clapper box ✓
4. D two side cutters separated by spacer on arbor ✓

Slab mill is another name for

1. A tap for threading holes ✓
2. B centre drill for spotting ✓
3. C knurling wheel ✓
4. D plain milling cutter on arbor ✓

Face milling uses cutter with

1. A single-point HSS tool only on lathe ✓
2. B inserts on large diameter for flat surfaces ✓
3. C wire EDM electrode ✓
4. D broach for internal splines ✓

End mill cuts with

1. A only lathe parting blade ✓
2. B only grinding wheel face ✓
3. C peripheral and end teeth for slots and profiling ✓
4. D only welding torch ✓

Plain milling cutter has teeth on

1. A peripheral circumference for slab milling ✓
2. B end face only always ✓
3. C morse taper shank only ✓
4. D lathe tool post slot ✓

Indexing head on milling machine is used for

1. A lathe thread chasing only ✓
2. B dividing work into equal angular parts ✓
3. C welding current control ✓
4. D hydraulic pump flow ✓

Knee of milling machine supports

1. A only grinding wheel head ✓
2. B lathe tailstock barrel ✓
3. C saddle and table vertically adjustable ✓
4. D forge anvil face ✓

Vertical milling machine has spindle

1. A horizontal only to table always ✓
2. B vertical to table; quill feeds tool ✓
3. C parallel to lathe bed ✓
4. D fixed at 45 degree only ✓

Arbor in horizontal milling holds

1. A lathe faceplate on tailstock ✓
2. B drill chuck on tailstock quill ✓
3. C grinding wheel on surface grinder ✓
4. D cutters on horizontal spindle over table ✓

Climb milling or down milling requires

1. A loose spindle bearings ✓
2. B maximum table backlash ✓
3. C only hand feeding ✓
4. D rigid machine and backlash elimination ✓

Primary function of a lathe is

1. A to generate flat surfaces by reciprocating table only ✓
2. B to produce cylindrical surfaces by rotating work against cutting tool ✓
3. C to join metals by electric arc only ✓
4. D to compact powder in a die ✓

Headstock of a lathe contains

1. A tailstock quill only ✓
2. B main spindle and speed change mechanism ✓
3. C milling arbor support only ✓
4. D grinding wheel guard ✓

Tailstock on a lathe is used for

1. A supporting long work and holding drills or reamers ✓
2. B rotating the chuck mandrel ✓
3. C indexing for milling slots ✓
4. D generating gear teeth ✓

Chuck on lathe holds work primarily by

1. A magnetic flux through bed ✓
2. B hydraulic press ram force ✓
3. C gripping external or internal diameter ✓
4. D welding electrode clamp ✓

Facing operation on lathe produces

1. A helical thread on shaft ✓
2. B internal keyway by broaching ✓
3. C spur gear profile ✓
4. D flat surface perpendicular to axis at end of work ✓

Turning reduces diameter by

1. A rotating tool only without feed ✓
2. B pouring molten metal on work ✓
3. C sand blasting surface ✓
4. D moving tool parallel to lathe axis ✓

Parting or cutoff on lathe uses

1. A wide face mill on vertical mill ✓
2. B grinding wheel only tangentially ✓
3. C narrow blade tool fed into work to separate piece ✓
4. D forge hammer on anvil ✓

Knurling on lathe creates

1. A removed material chips like threading ✓
2. B hardened martensite layer only ✓
3. C serrated pattern for hand grip by displacing metal ✓
4. D internal spline by broach ✓

Taper turning by compound rest sets

1. A compound slide at half taper angle to feed tool ✓
2. B spindle speed equal to feed rate ✓
3. C tailstock offset zero always ✓
4. D grinding wheel grade only ✓

Tailstock set-over method produces taper by

1. A increasing only RPM ✓
2. B using only parting tool ✓
3. C CNC G-code M06 only ✓
4. D offsetting tailstock axis from headstock axis ✓

Thread cutting on lathe requires

1. A synchronized spindle rotation and longitudinal feed ✓
2. B random feed without leadscrew ✓
3. C only cross slide motion ✓
4. D grinding wheel traverse only ✓

Leadscrew on lathe is used for

1. A thread cutting and precise longitudinal feeds ✓
2. B coolant pump drive only ✓
3. C hydraulic chuck clamping only ✓
4. D grinding wheel balancing ✓

Steady rest supports work

1. A only at tailstock end always ✓
2. B by rotating with chuck jaws ✓
3. C at intermediate point using fixed frame on bed ✓
4. D using magnetic chuck on grinder ✓

Follower rest differs from steady rest because it

1. A is fixed at headstock always ✓
2. B holds grinding wheel ✓
3. C travels with carriage and supports near tool ✓
4. D indexes gear teeth ✓

Mandrel is used to machine

1. A external surfaces on hollow parts already bored ✓
2. B internal threads only on solid bar ✓
3. C welded joint preparation ✓
4. D sand mould cavities ✓

Collet chuck provides

1. A accurate concentric gripping for bar stock ✓
2. B only rough cast iron holding ✓
3. C arc welding clamping ✓
4. D sheet metal bending ✓

Live centre in tailstock has

1. A fixed dead point only always ✓
2. B grinding wheel mounted ✓
3. C milling cutter arbor ✓
4. D rotating point reducing friction on work centre hole ✓

Dead centre does not rotate and is used when

1. A high-speed CNC turning only always ✓
2. B tailstock supports work centre hole on small jobs ✓
3. C EDM wire threading ✓
4. D powder pressing ✓

Cutting speed on lathe is calculated from

1. A feed times depth only ✓
2. B πDN/1000 m/min where D mm and N rpm ✓
3. C tool hardness Rockwell only ✓
4. D coolant pressure bar only ✓

Feed on lathe refers to

1. A tool advance per revolution of work ✓
2. B spindle rpm only ✓
3. C depth of cut squared ✓
4. D motor kW rating ✓

Depth of cut in turning is measured

1. A radially into work reducing diameter ✓
2. B along axis only always ✓
3. C by wheel width on grinder ✓
4. D by weld leg size ✓

Milling machine removes material by

1. A single-point tool on rotating work only ✓
2. B electric spark erosion only ✓
3. C sand mould compaction ✓
4. D rotating multi-point cutter while feeding work ✓

Up milling or conventional milling has

1. A maximum chip at entry always ✓
2. B no horizontal force ✓
3. C tooth enters at thin chip and exits thick ✓
4. D only climb milling possible ✓

Surface grinding produces

1. A rough sand casting skin only ✓
2. B fine flat finish using rotating abrasive wheel ✓
3. C deep hole by twist drill ✓
4. D external thread by rolling ✓

Cylindrical grinding finishes

1. A only internal bores always ✓
2. B external cylindrical surfaces on centre-type grinder ✓
3. C welded joints only ✓
4. D sheet metal blanks only ✓

Centreless grinding supports work by

1. A lathe chuck jaws only ✓
2. B regulating wheel and grinding wheel without centres ✓
3. C tailstock quill pressure ✓
4. D magnetic chuck on surface grinder table ✓

Grinding wheel grade refers to

1. A wheel diameter only ✓
2. B work rpm only ✓
3. C bond hardness holding abrasive grains ✓
4. D coolant colour ✓

Dressing of grinding wheel

1. A restores geometry and exposes fresh abrasive grains ✓
2. B hardens workpiece surface only ✓
3. C increases bond strength permanently ✓
4. D replaces lathe tool insert ✓

Truing of grinding wheel means

1. A hardening steel work only ✓
2. B tempering martensite ✓
3. C making wheel run concentric with spindle axis ✓
4. D annealing copper ✓

HSS stands for

1. A High Stress Steel ✓
2. B Hot Solid State ✓
3. C High Speed Steel ✓
4. D Hydraulic Spindle System ✓

Carbide cutting tools use

1. A cemented tungsten carbide inserts brazed or clamped ✓
2. B pure lead soft tips ✓
3. C sand mould binder ✓
4. D rubber abrasive only ✓

Ceramic cutting inserts suit

1. A roughing soft aluminium only always ✓
2. B manual wood turning only ✓
3. C underwater welding ✓
4. D high-speed finishing of cast iron and hardened steel ✓

CBN inserts are used for

1. A soft brass only always ✓
2. B hard turning of hardened steels above 45 HRC ✓
3. C green sand moulds ✓
4. D plastic injection moulds only ✓

Tool rake angle affects

1. A only coolant type ✓
2. B lathe bed length ✓
3. C chip flow, cutting force and tool strength ✓
4. D gear module only ✓

Clearance angle on cutting tool provides

1. A relief so flank does not rub work after edge ✓
2. B extra chip load always ✓
3. C higher spindle belt tension ✓
4. D welding arc length ✓

Nose radius on insert improves

1. A only chip breaking negatively always ✓
2. B electrode wear in EDM only ✓
3. C tool strength and surface finish ✓
4. D sand permeability ✓

Chip breaker groove purpose is

1. A increase tool fracture always ✓
2. B curl and break chips for safety and clearance ✓
3. C cool mould sand ✓
4. D balance crankshaft ✓

Material removal rate increases with

1. A zero spindle rotation ✓
2. B dulled tool only ✓
3. C removed coolant ✓
4. D higher feed, depth of cut and cutting speed within limits ✓

Taylor tool life equation relates

1. A lathe centre height only ✓
2. B cutting speed to tool life as VT^n = C ✓
3. C gear teeth count only ✓
4. D tyre inflation pressure ✓

Cutting fluid primary functions include

1. A cooling, lubrication and chip flushing ✓
2. B increasing tool brittleness ✓
3. C replacing machine lubrication in slides always ✓
4. D hardening work to martensite ✓

Built-up edge on HSS tool occurs mainly when

1. A cutting soft ductile metals at low speed ✓
2. B grinding hardened wheel always ✓
3. C EDM finishing only ✓
4. D high-speed carbide finishing only ✓

CNC stands for

1. A Central Numeric Calibration ✓
2. B Continuous Nonstop Cutting ✓
3. C Computerized Natural Cooling ✓
4. D Computer Numerical Control ✓

G-code in CNC programming specifies

1. A only electrical wiring diagram ✓
2. B sand mould recipe only ✓
3. C machine motion and auxiliary functions ✓
4. D forge heating curve only ✓

M06 in CNC typically means

1. A tool change command ✓
2. B program end only ✓
3. C coolant off only ✓
4. D home all axes only ✓