An experimental investigation of the machining characteristics such as cutt- ing resistance, surface roughness and tool wear in turning the test pieces of SM45C steel with both coated and uncoated carbide tool tips under various cutting conditions was conducted. Also a specially designed simple vibration damping device was experimentally evaluated for its effectiveness on machined surface roughness and a vibration test was conducted to confirm its ability to reduce the amplitude. Based on these tests finding, the following conclusions are made; 1. The cutting resistance($ extrm{p}_{1}$) increases as the depth of cut(d) increases at fixed feed rate(f) over the cutting speed(v) range of 43-226 m/min and p decreses about 18% average when V is increased for fixed d and f. At V= 226m/min, $ extrm{p}_{1}$/for A, C tips are about the same level but $ extrm{p}_{1}$ for B tip is 15% less than A, C tips. 2. The specific cutting resistance(Ks) at V=226 m/min was derived for A, B, C tips respectively and the value of Ks for B rip is about 20% less than A, C tips. 3. The surface roughness(Ra) improves significantly as the cutting speed(V) is increased and this effect was greater when V>100 m/min. On the other hand, Ra deteriorates as the feed rate(f) is increased and this trend was accelerated when f>0.3 mm/rev. With regard to the difference of Ra values among A, B, C tips, at V=226m/min, d=0.4mm, and f=0.31-0.61mm/rev, Ra values for B.C tips are about 17% less than tip A. 4. The experimental tool wear equations were derived for A, B, C tips and from these equations, the tool life($ extrm{T}_{ extrm{L}}$) baced on the I.S.O. criteria was calculated to be $ extrm{T}_{ extrm{L}}$<$ extrm{T}_{ extrm{LB}}$<$ extrm{T}_{ extrm{LC}}$ for both flank wear($ extrm{V}_{ extrm{B}}$) and boundary wear($ extrm{V}_{ extrm{N}}$). Hence, the coated tips are superior to the uncoated tip and tip C is considered to be the best. 5. The cutting resistance may be slightly reduced and the surface rounghness improved when the damper is used especially when V>100 m/min. Therefore this damping device is considered to be effective and practical. The experimental surface roughness equations were also derived. Based on the vibration test, it is established that the surface roughness improvement was the result of amplitude reduction made possible by the damper.