Can anyone suggest where I can get a good, manually operated valve seat cutter? I would like to cut the seats myself and then lap them. (I have a 617 engine)

NuWay Cutters.
You will need three cutters to do a three angle seat as well as the Pilot shaft.
You want to have new guides installed first
You won't save any money until you do four or five engines. Plus some else has to cut the valves. Just hand lapping them isn't going to get it done.
Charlie

Goodson.com

understood.
1) I am installing all new guides first
2) I am installing new exhaust valves
3) I will have a shop grind the intake valves
4) I intend to lap only after everything is cut right
5) I'll search "NuWay Cutters"..thanks! Have you used them yourself? if so, how was the quality?

Just like their price.
Top shelf or the best.
No stone's to dress or wear down. You are cutting with carbide.
Charlie

thanks guys, I'm looking into both sources. Charlie, where can you get Nuway cutters?

http://www.newaymfg.com/frame.htm

As you can see my spelling was wrong.
Hope I didn't make you to crazy looking for it. Good luck.
Charlie