Manual machining refers to the process of shaping, cutting, or forming materials using manually operated machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, drill presses, grinders, and saws. In manual machining, the operator controls the movement of the cutting tool or the workpiece by hand, using handwheels, levers, or other manual controls.

Manual machining requires skill and precision on the part of the operator to produce accurate and high-quality parts. It involves tasks such as turning cylindrical parts on a lathe, milling flat or contoured surfaces using a milling machine, drilling holes to precise depths and diameters, grinding surfaces to achieve specific finishes, and cutting materials to size using saws.