Transformations of both dependent and independent variables are employed to investigate the linearization of Taylor’s tool-life equation. This exploratory study indicates that a logarithmic transformation, which is a special case of the general class of power transformations, gives the best fit for HSS tool-life data. However, the study does not show that a logarithmic transformation is the best for carbide tool-life data. For a wide cutting range, where Taylor’s tool-life equation does not hold, a linear equation instead of a second-order relationship for the prediction of tool life can be determined by the proper transformation.