The study of rake surface stress distribution was carried out using photoelastic tools. When machining lead, the actual change in stress distribution due to change in tool rake angle from −10 to +20 deg was observed. Certain equations for the magnitudes of maximum and minimum normal stresses at the tool tip were also verified. From the graphs of normal and shear-stress distribution along the contact length, simplified forms of empirical equations for normal and shear force in terms of contact length, rake angle, and so on, were derived. The average friction coefficient was also expressed from the aforesaid studies.