A 2-D boundary-element model was used to solve the steady-state heat conduction problem in a wood cutting tool. Cutting experiments were conducted in order to measure temperatures at remote locations on the tool rake face and at the tool/holder interface. The tool/holder interface temperatures were used as inputs into the boundary-element model. Heat input into the tool was adjusted until predicted temperatures on the rake face agreed with experimental results. The proportion of the machining power conducted into the tool as heat was determined as a function of the cutting geometry, specific cutting energy, and cutting speed.