Manual Machining Services

Hands-on precision lathe, milling, drilling, and tapping for prototypes, repairs, and custom one-offs.

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ISO 9001:2015

Made in Canada

40+

Years of Experience

5K+

Satisfied Customers

Overview

While CNC excels at volume, manual machining offers unrivaled flexibility for unique geometries, fast turnarounds, and precision repairs. Pearson Manufacturing delivers hands-on manual machining through a hybrid model—completed in-house or coordinated with trusted Canadian partners— so you get the right capacity and lead time under one QA umbrella.

⚠️ Hybrid fulfillment: not all jobs are performed on-site—routing is selected for capability, schedule, and compliance under Pearson QA.

Quick Specs

Typical Tolerance

Metals ±0.001–0.002″; Plastics ±0.002–0.005″ (feature/material dependent)

Lathe Between Centers

Up to ~1.0 m (≈40″) typical; longer by routing

Lathe Max Swing

≈300 mm (≈12″) over bed typical; larger by routing

Milling Envelope

≈750 × 400 × 400 mm (≈30 × 16 × 16″) typical; larger by routing

Threads

UNC/UNF, ISO metric, NPT/NPTF, BSPP/BSPT, Acme/Trapezoidal, LH/RH

Surface Finish

Turned/milled to function; fine polish or grind on request

Files Accepted

STEP/IGES + PDF; sketches/samples welcome

Rush Options

Often available—note your need-by date on RFQ

Engagement	Best For	Speed	Notes
One-Off / Repair	Worn parts, quick fixtures, emergency spares	Fast	Minimal setup; reverse-engineer from sample if needed
Prototype	Fit/functional first articles	Fast	Hands-on iterations and DFM guidance
Small-Batch	Short runs ≤ ~50 pcs	Medium	Repeatable tooling and in-process checks
Rework & Mods	Hole moves, spotfaces, thread chase	Fast	Accurate fixturing to protect reference features

Capabilities We Provide Access To

Manual lathe turning: shafts, bushings, pins, spacers, and custom round parts
Manual milling: flat faces, slots, pockets, counterbores, keyways, contours
Precision drilling, tapping, countersinking, and reaming (bolt circles, jigs)
External/internal threading (UNC/UNF, metric, NPT/BSPT, Acme; LH/RH by review)
Boring, facing, grooving, parting, and precise shoulders/steps
Press-fit and running-fit diameters with gauge/fit verification on request
Light polishing/deburr and functional cosmetic finishing

Lathe Turning

Milling & Drilling

DFM & Prep

Call out only CTQ features for tight tolerances; allow standard fits elsewhere to reduce cost/lead time.
Specify thread standard and class (e.g., 2A/2B, 3A/3B, 6g/6H) and gauge method for verification.
Add relief/undercuts at shoulders and thread runouts to achieve full thread depth and clean seating faces.
Use generous fillets/radii at diameter transitions to improve strength and surface finish.
For long, slender parts, note runout/straightness limits and allow center/steady-rest support strategy.
Provide material callouts and any post-process requirements (heat treat, coating, hardness).

We’ll review CTQs, thread classes, and finish targets to confirm achievable specs before kickoff.

Why Choose Manual Machining?

Flexible for unique geometries and low volumes
Minimal setup: ideal for one-offs, prototypes, and repairs
Skilled machinists achieve tight, consistent fits and finishes
Hybrid routing (in-house + trusted Canadian partners) for size/schedule coverage
Clear QA path: fit classes, thread gauges, and inspection notes on request

Equipment Used In-House or By Our Partners

Engine and toolroom lathes (typical swing ≈12″; larger via partners)
Bridgeport-style manual knee mills with digital readouts
Precision drill presses, tapping heads, and reaming setups
Vices, angle plates, rotary tables, and indexing/collet systems
Surface grinders for finishing operations (by routing)
Calibrated hand metrology: micrometers, bore/plug gauges, height gauges

Industries We Serve

Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO)
Automation & Robotics
Industrial Machinery & Fabrication
Automotive & Powersports
Agriculture & Material Handling

Typical Applications

Prototype parts and proof-of-concept models
Repair and refurbishment of worn components
Custom tooling, fixtures, and adapters
One-off brackets, shafts, pins, spacers, and bushings
Specialty machine parts and retrofits

Manual Machining FAQs

What part sizes can you handle?

Typical manual capacity supports up to ~1.0 m between centers and ~300 mm swing on lathes, and ~750 × 400 × 400 mm milling travel. Larger parts may be routed to partner equipment—send your envelope for confirmation.

Can you do short-run production?

Yes. Manual machining is ideal for low-quantity runs (often ≤ 50 pcs) when CNC fixturing/setup would not be economical.

What tolerances can you hold?

As a baseline: metals ±0.001–0.002″ on critical features; plastics typically ±0.002–0.005″ due to material behavior. Tighter bands may be achievable after review.

Is this work performed at your facility?

Some jobs are completed at our Ontario shop; others are fulfilled through trusted Canadian partners for capacity, specialty steps, or schedule. All work is coordinated under Pearson QA. Request a manual machining quote — include material, overall size, key tolerances, and your timeline.