Different types of cutting tools were used to cut SiC whisker reinforced aluminu m composite. And then the 3D components of cutting forces Fc, Fp, and Ff were measured with a Kistler 3D dynamometer, and the microscopic pattern and profiles of the cutting edges and the machined s urfaces were examined with an atomic force microscope (AFM). The results showed that, compared with fixed circular cutters the selfpropelled rotary carbide to ols had superior wearresistance property similar to that of diamond tools. The tool life had increased more than 60 times with stable cutin and cutout and less oscillation in the cutting process. The machined surfaces showed high qual ity, gray metal shine of the aluminum matrix, smaller surface roughness, and les s broken SiC whiskers and pits. The 3D cutting force components F c, Fp, and Ff were reduced to some degree. The average radial th rust cutting force Fp had a significant reduction of 30%～60%. The selfp r opelled rotary carbide tools were thought to be one kind of tools with low cost and high cutting performance and a suitable tool in machining the composites rei nforced with SiC whiskers of moderate or lower volume fractions. 