Starrett 56494 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 0.5x0.75x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 56494 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar used in toolmaking, die work, and precision machining applications. Cut to 0.5 inches thick, 0.75 inches wide, and 18 inches long, this flat stock ships in a ready-to-use form with tight dimensional tolerances held throughout. Thickness tolerance is plus or minus 0.001 inches, width tolerance is plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches, length tolerance is plus 0.250 inches, and squareness tolerance is plus or minus 0.001 inches. At 1.92 pounds, it is sized for bench-scale toolroom work. AISI A2 material offers good dimensional stability during heat treatment, making it a common choice for punches, dies, and gauges.

This flat stock is suited for tool and die shops, maintenance machining departments, and precision fabrication environments. Common applications include blanking dies, forming tools, drill jigs, and fixture components where controlled hardening and minimal distortion after heat treat are required. The 18-inch length provides enough stock to yield multiple blanks from a single piece on most small-to-medium tooling jobs. It is handled and processed by machinists, tool and die makers, and toolroom technicians.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel for minimal distortion during heat treatment
• Thickness held to plus or minus 0.001 inches for consistent stock removal
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches
• Squareness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches
• 18-inch length yields multiple blanks per bar for typical toolroom cuts
• Weighs 1.92 pounds — suitable for bench vise and surface grinder handling

Compatibility

Designed as a standard toolroom flat stock bar for use in die sets, punch tooling, gauging components, and fixture fabrication requiring A2 air-hardening tool steel stock.

Installation Notes

Cutting and grinding of tool steel flat stock should be performed by qualified machinists or tool and die makers using appropriate coolant to prevent edge softening. Wear proper PPE including eye protection and cut-resistant gloves when sawing or shearing. Heat treatment of A2 steel should follow established metallurgical procedures for air-hardening grades and is typically performed in a controlled atmosphere furnace to minimize scale and decarburization. Verify final dimensions after grinding and before hardening to account for tolerance stack-up.