Starrett 56968 O1 Tool Steel Flat Stock 3/16x6x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 56968 is a precision-ground O1 oil-hardening tool steel flat stock sized at 3/16 inches thick, 6 inches wide, and 18 inches long. O1 tool steel is a tungsten-alloyed, oil-quench grade widely used in toolmaking, die work, punches, and precision jigs where close dimensional tolerances and good wear resistance after hardening are required. This flat stock ships in the annealed (soft) condition, ready for machining, grinding, and subsequent heat treatment. Toolmakers, die makers, and machine shops rely on this material for applications that demand predictable oil-hardening response and consistent stock dimensions before heat treat.

This flat stock is suited for toolrooms and production shops producing blanks, gauges, cutting tools, mold components, and fixture elements. At 3/16 inches thick and 6 inches wide, it provides a broad working surface for die plates, wear plates, and stripper plates. The 18-inch length allows multiple parts to be laid out and cut from a single piece, reducing remnant waste in short-run and prototype work. It is appropriate for both general machine shop use and precision tool and die environments where dimensional accuracy prior to hardening is critical.

Key Features

• AISI Type O1 oil-hardening tool steel for predictable quench response and consistent post-heat-treat hardness
• Precision-ground flat stock with thickness tolerance of +0.0100 to 0.0150 inches for close-tolerance blanking
• Width tolerance of +0.0100 to 0.0150 inches and length tolerance of +0.2500 inches
• Edge squareness held to 0.003 inches per inch on all edges for accurate layout and fixturing
• Annealed condition allows full machinability before oil-quench hardening
• Single-piece minimum order quantity supports prototype and small-batch toolroom use

Compatibility

Designed as a standard AISI O1 oil-hardening tool steel flat stock for general toolroom, die making, and precision machining applications requiring pre-ground stock in this thickness and width profile.

Installation Notes

Cutting, grinding, and machining should be performed before heat treatment, as O1 steel in the hardened condition requires specialized grinding equipment for further stock removal. Heat treatment including austenitizing temperature, quench media, and tempering cycles must follow AISI O1 guidelines and should be performed by qualified personnel familiar with tool steel processing. Always allow the workpiece to reach ambient temperature after grinding to minimize residual stress before hardening. Follow applicable shop safety standards for metalworking operations including machine guarding and appropriate PPE.