The adaptive control system in which the machine operator plays the role of the sensor as well as the controller is proposed. This concept, which can be called as the Manual Adaptive Control, has been successfully applied to turning operations. The tool flank wear is measured at each tool change or at each workpiece change by the operator and these values are entered into the micro-computer. The program is designed to predict the parameters in the tool wear equation more and more accurately as each value is entered. After several points are entered, the iterative procedure converges, and the cost optimum machining condition is obtained.