Starrett 54686 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 3/4 X 2 X 36 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 54686 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who require tight-tolerance raw material for jigs, fixtures, dies, and cutting tools. This bar measures 0.75 inches thick, 2 inches wide, and 36 inches long, and ships ground to close tolerances on all critical dimensions. A2 tool steel offers a good balance of wear resistance, toughness, and dimensional stability through the air-hardening heat treatment process, making it a reliable choice for medium-production tooling applications where oil-hardening grades may introduce distortion.

This flat stock is suited for fabrication of punches, dies, forming tools, gauges, and similar precision components in both job shop and industrial tool room environments. The ground finish and tight tolerances on thickness and squareness allow machinists to work directly from the bar with minimal stock removal. Licensed tool and die makers and industrial machinists are the primary installers of this material in production and maintenance tooling applications.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel for reduced distortion during heat treatment compared to oil-hardening grades
• Thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches for precision fitment without additional grinding
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches for consistent stock sizing
• Length tolerance of plus 0.25 inches allows for finish-cut to final dimension
• Squareness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches with edge squareness of 0.003 per inch
• 36-inch bar length provides flexibility for multiple part blanks from a single piece

Compatibility

Designed as a general-purpose A2 tool steel flat stock suitable for tool room, die-making, and precision machining applications requiring air-hardening material in 0.75 inch by 2 inch cross-section stock.

Installation Notes

Cutting, grinding, and machining of tool steel flat stock should be performed by qualified machinists or tool and die makers using appropriate coolant to prevent localized overheating of the material. Heat treatment should be conducted by a qualified heat treater following established procedures for AISI A2 tool steel, including proper soak temperatures and controlled air cooling. Handle bar stock with care to avoid nicking ground surfaces, as surface damage can affect tolerance integrity and heat treatment results. Always use appropriate personal protective equipment when sawing or machining tool steel.