Drill Rod Tool Steels 08712986 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock

Product Description

The DRILL ROD TOOL STEELS 08712986 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, die makers, and machinists who require tight-tolerance stock for cutting tools, punches, dies, and gauges. It measures 7/32 inches thick, 1/2 inch wide, and 18 inches long, with a thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches and a square tolerance of plus or minus 0.003 inches. A2 tool steel is known for its dimensional stability during air hardening, good wear resistance, and moderate toughness, making it a reliable choice for precision tooling applications where consistent geometry is critical.

This flat stock is suited for job shops, tool and die operations, and maintenance facilities that fabricate or repair custom tooling. The 18-inch length is a standard cut for bench-scale tooling work. A2 material air-hardens with less distortion than oil-hardening grades, which is particularly useful when producing slender punches, form tools, or fixture components that must hold close dimensions through the heat-treat cycle.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel with good dimensional stability through heat treatment
• Tight thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches for precision fitment
• Width tolerance held to plus 0.000 to minus 0.005 inches
• Length tolerance of plus or minus 0.062 inches on the 18-inch bar
• Square tolerance of plus or minus 0.003 inches
• Ready-to-use flat stock requiring no additional sizing on thickness or width in most applications

Compatibility

Designed as a standard AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel flat bar suitable for fabrication of punches, dies, gauges, and custom tooling components in tool and die, machining, and maintenance environments.

Installation Notes

Cutting and machining of tool steel flat stock should be performed by qualified machinists using appropriate coolant and tooling rated for hard or pre-hardened steels. Heat treatment, including air hardening and tempering, should follow the material manufacturer's recommended thermal cycles and should be performed in controlled-atmosphere or vacuum furnace equipment where applicable. Always allow bars to reach ambient temperature before final inspection for dimensional compliance. Wear appropriate PPE when cutting, grinding, or handling tool steel stock.