Elliptical micro-textures were made by using laser on the rake face of the tungsten carbide cutting inserts. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) solid lubricants were embedded into the micro-textures to form self-lubricating textured tools. Finite element analysis was conducted to assess the effect of micro-texture on the stress distribution of the cutting inserts. Dry cutting tests were carried out with these self-lubricated cutting tools and conventional cemented carbide tools. As the results, there is no conspicuous adverse effect on the stress distribution of the tool nose with micro-textures on the rake face. The cutting forces and the cutting temperatures with the self-lubricating textured tools were greatly reduced compared with that of conventional cemented carbide tools. Meanwhile, the rake wear and the chip deformation were reduced, and the chip coiling was improved with micro texturing lubrication.