A carbon nanotube apparatus for surface discharge polishing using a transistor discharge circuit includes a signal generator having a integrated circuit for generating square wave; a photo coupler for isolating a cathode of the apparatus and an anode for processing; a discharge machining area comprising the anode for placing a target and the cathode having more than one multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) grown on it. The apparatus uses the signal generator to control a waveform of square wave for electrical discharge machining and to control a current value for nanotube tips for electrical discharge machining, thus to enable the cathode of MWCNT apparatus for nanometer-level micro machining.