A tunable or tuned boring bar having increased stiffness is provided. Increasing the stiffness of the bar increases the natural frequency, thereby reducing directional deformation of the bar during use. The tunable boring bar includes a distal portion configured to support a tool, a proximal portion configured for attachment to a support structure of a metalworking machine, and a body, which is at least partially tubular, extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The tubular portion of the body has an elongated cylindrical cavity. The body of the boring bar includes a core layer formed from a first material and a coating layer formed from a second material. The second material has a higher modulus of elasticity than the first material. In certain configurations, the coating layer is bonded to the core layer by cladding, welding, chemical adhesives, chemical vapor deposition, pulsated plasma diffusion, or combinations thereof.