Manual Milling Services

Detailed slotting, facing, pocketing & prototyping on knee mills and rotary setups.

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ISO 9001:2015

Made in Canada

40+

Years of Experience

5K+

Satisfied Customers

Overview

Manual milling is ideal for one-off parts, custom geometries, quick turnarounds, and precise rework. Pearson Manufacturing delivers hands-on milling through a hybrid model—completed in-house or coordinated with trusted Canadian partners— so you get the right envelope and lead time under one QA umbrella.

⚠️ Hybrid fulfillment: not all jobs are milled 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)

Milling Envelope

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

Hole Making

Drill/ream to IT7–IT9 typical; true position by setup & gauge plan

Surface Finish

Milled ≈ Ra 3.2–6.3 µm (125–250 µin) typical; finer with fly-cut/polish

Keyways/Slots

Standard key sizes per ISO/ANSI; custom widths by pass plan

Materials

Aluminum, steels/stainless, brass/bronze, copper, engineering plastics

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	Legacy parts, quick fixtures, emergency mods	Fast	Minimal setup; protect reference datums
Prototype	First articles & functional prove-outs	Fast	Hands-on iteration and DFM feedback
Small-Batch	Short runs ≤ ~50 pcs	Medium	Repeatable workholding + in-process checks
Rework & Mods	Hole moves, counterbores, spotfaces	Fast	Indicate/edge-find to true up geometry

Capabilities We Provide Access To

Flat-surface facing, contouring & pocketing with precise depths
Precision slotting & keyways (standard and custom widths)
Drilled, tapped & reamed hole patterns (BCs, jigs, templates)
Chamfers, countersinks, counterbores, steps & shoulders
Multi-angle setups using rotary/tilt fixtures & angle plates
Light profiling on plates, brackets & weldments

Surface Facing

Precision Slotting

Design for Manufacturability (DFM)

Call out only CTQ features for tight tolerances; allow standard fits elsewhere for cost/lead time.
Add internal corner radii (≥ cutter radius) in pockets to reduce tool deflection and improve finish.
Specify hole/tap standard, depth style (through/blind), and whether chamfers/deburr are required.
For slot/keyway fits, define width tolerance and key standard; note engagement length.
Use a datum scheme that is easy to re-locate for rework (edges/holes that can be indicated).
Provide finish targets on bearing/slide faces (e.g., ≤ Ra 3.2 µm) and allow cosmetic elsewhere.

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

Why Choose Manual Milling?

Flexible for unique geometries and low volumes
Minimal setup—ideal for prototypes, repairs, and quick changeovers
Skilled machinists achieve square, flat, and parallel features reliably
Hybrid routing (in-house + trusted Canadian partners) covers envelope & schedule
Clear QA path: datum verification, gauge plans, and inspection notes on request

Equipment Used In-House or By Our Partners

Whether performed internally or by our supplier network, your manual milling project may involve:

Bridgeport-style knee mills with DROs
Rotary tables, sine/tilt fixtures, angle plates & precision vises
Boring heads, fly cutters, shell/face mills & end mills
Drill chucks, tapping heads & reamers
Custom jigs/workholding for repeatability
Calibrated metrology: micrometers, height/bore/plug gauges, indicators

Typical Applications

Prototype plates, brackets & subassemblies
Jigs, fixtures & precision tooling
Legacy part rework & modification
Custom contours, pockets, slots & step profiles

Manual Milling FAQs

What machines do you use?

Primarily Bridgeport-style knee mills with DROs, supported by rotary/tilt tables and purpose-built fixtures. Larger or specialty envelopes are routed to partner equipment.

What tolerances can you hold?

Baseline milling tolerances are ~±0.001–0.002″ on critical features (metals). Plastics typically ±0.002–0.005″. Flatness/parallelism depend on envelope and fixturing; tighter bands may be achievable after review.

Is the work performed in-house?

Many jobs are done at our Ontario shop; others are fulfilled through trusted Canadian partners for capacity, specialty processes, or schedule—coordinated under Pearson QA. Request a manual milling quote — include material, envelope, CTQs, and your timeline.