Drill Rod Tool Steels 06308050 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock

Product Description

The DRILL ROD TOOL STEELS 06308050 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who need a precision-ground blank ready for heat treatment. Measuring 0.125 inches thick, 0.5 inches wide, and 18 inches long, this flat stock ships in an annealed condition and achieves full hardness through an air-hardening cycle - no quench tank required. A2 tool steel offers a balance of toughness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability during hardening, making it a reliable choice for punches, dies, fixtures, and gauges. Thickness tolerance is held to plus 0.010 to 0.015 inches, consistent with standard ground flat stock specifications.

This flat stock is suited for machine shops, tool and die operations, and maintenance departments that fabricate or repair tooling in-house. The 18-inch length allows multiple blanks to be cut from a single piece, reducing material waste on smaller tooling projects. Its annealed-state machinability means it can be milled, drilled, and ground before hardening with standard carbide or HSS tooling. Typical applications include forming dies, cutting tools, jigs, and wear plates in both job-shop and production environments.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel - hardens in still air, reducing distortion versus oil-quench grades
• Ground flat stock dimensions: 0.125 inches thick, 0.5 inches wide, 18 inches long
• Thickness tolerance: plus 0.010 to 0.015 inches for consistent fit in close-tolerance tooling
• Width tolerance: plus 0.010 to 0.015 inches
• Length tolerance: plus 0.062 inches
• Square tolerance: plus or minus 0.003 inches
• Supplied in annealed condition - machinable before heat treat

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 air-hardening ground flat stock blank suitable for general toolmaking applications where AISI A2 tool steel material specification is required.

Installation Notes

Cutting and machining should be performed in the annealed condition prior to heat treatment. A2 tool steel is hardened by heating to the appropriate austenitizing temperature and cooling in still air - consult a heat-treating reference or certified heat treater for the specific thermal cycle. Always wear appropriate PPE when cutting or grinding tool steel, as chips and grinding dust present eye and respiratory hazards. Finished tooling should be inspected for dimensional compliance after hardening and tempering, as minor distortion can occur.