Starrett 56500 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 0.75x1.5x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 56500 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar used in toolmaking, die making, and precision machining applications. It ships in an annealed condition ready for machining, then hardens by air quench after heat treatment — a key advantage of A2 over oil-hardening grades due to reduced distortion during the hardening cycle. The bar measures 0.75 inches thick, 1.5 inches wide, and 18 inches long and weighs 5.76 pounds. Thickness and squareness tolerances are held to plus or minus 0.001 inches, making it suitable for applications where dimensional precision before heat treat is critical.

This flat stock is used in the fabrication of punches, dies, forming tools, gauges, and general toolroom work. The A2 grade offers good wear resistance and moderate toughness, making it a common choice for cold-work tooling in both job shop and production toolroom environments. Machinists and tool and die makers working to tight finished tolerances will find the controlled width tolerance of plus 0.000 to plus 0.005 inches and length tolerance of plus 0.250 inches consistent with standard tool steel flat stock expectations.

Key Features

• A2 air-hardening tool steel — reduced distortion versus oil-hardening grades during heat treatment
• Thickness tolerance: plus or minus 0.001 inches for consistent pre-machining stock removal planning
• Width tolerance: plus 0.000 to plus 0.005 inches
• Length tolerance: plus 0.250 inches
• Squareness tolerance: plus or minus 0.001 inches
• Weighs 5.76 pounds — suitable for single-piece toolroom use at MOQ of 1

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock for cold-work tooling, die making, and precision toolroom fabrication applications requiring controlled dimensional tolerances.

Installation Notes

Tool and die makers and machinists should machine this stock in the annealed condition before heat treatment. Heat treatment of A2 tool steel should follow the material specification guidelines for austenitizing temperature, soak time, and air-quench procedure — consult a qualified heat treater or the AISI A2 data sheet for process parameters. Grinding after heat treat is standard practice to reach final dimensions. Handle hardened tool steel with appropriate personal protective equipment, as hardened stock can be brittle before tempering is complete.