Measurement of three directional cutting force has important guiding significance to the understanding of mechanical manufacturing, metal cutting theory and machine tool design. As the main disadvantages of experimental devices for cutting force measurement in existing markets are their high cost, complex assembly and single-function, a new three directional cutting force experimental device is developed in this study which measures the micro-distortion of strain gauge caused by the desired cutting force. By elaborately arranging the strain gauge, the measured micro-distortion will be transformed into voltage or current signals. By three direction electrical calibration and mechanical calibration, the response coefficients between a directional output of the three directional force sensor and the directional load is determined, thus forming a stable measuring system for cutting force test, and the micro-distortion measured by proposed device and desired cutting force will be obtained. The developed cutting force experimental software can be used for single-factor cutting force experiments, orthogonal cutting force experiments, and free cutting force study. This device now has found wide application in many universities at home.