This paper discusses the effects of ploughing and friction in microscale machining. The friction coefficient has previously been shown to be sensitive to the geometry of the abrasive particle and the depth of indentation. From a micromachining standpoint, the friction coefficient is modeled to be a function of the tool edge radius and the undeformed chip thickness, wherein the tool edge is modeled as a sliding cylinder on a flat workpiece. The contributions of ploughing force, which assumes significance in microscale machining, are better modeled using an integration approach over the edge of the tool. Two force models for the estimation of ploughing forces are compared, wherein one model uses a slip-line field analysis and the other uses a method of force balance on the deformation boundary. Basic microcutting (shaping) experimental data are presented and compared to the prediction results. The results show that a nonuniform friction coefficient improves the predictability of the force model.