Starrett 57163 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 3/16 X 1-1/4 X 18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57163 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar intended for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who require a reliable, dimensionally consistent raw material for cutting tools, punches, dies, and gauges. It measures 3/16 inches thick, 1-1/4 inches wide, and 18 inches long, weighing 1.19 pounds. A2 tool steel is known for its balanced combination of wear resistance and toughness after heat treatment, making it a practical choice for a wide range of tooling applications in machine shops and production environments.

This flat stock is suited for fabricating precision tooling components in both job-shop and production machining settings. Common applications include blanking dies, forming tools, trim dies, and gauging fixtures. The 18-inch length provides a workable starting bar for single tooling components or shorter multiple pieces. Machinists and tool-and-die makers working with air-hardening steel grades will find this size appropriate for a variety of mid-scale tooling tasks. Tolerances are held to close commercial ground stock standards, reducing the amount of pre-machining required before layout and rough cutting.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel — good balance of wear resistance and toughness after hardening
• Thickness: 3/16 inches with tolerance of +0.010 to 0.015 inches
• Width: 1-1/4 inches with tolerance of +0.010 to 0.015 inches
• Length: 18 inches with tolerance of +0.25 inches
• Square tolerance held to +0.010 to 0.015 inches for consistent cross-section geometry
• Ready for layout, rough machining, heat treatment, and finish grinding

Compatibility

Designed as a standard A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock suitable for general tooling and die-making applications where AISI A2 material specification is required.

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 and carbide or high-speed steel tooling. Heat treatment of A2 steel requires controlled atmosphere or vacuum furnace equipment to achieve proper hardness; always follow the material manufacturer's recommended austenitizing and tempering temperatures. Allow the workpiece to reach ambient temperature before finish grinding to final tolerances. Personal protective equipment including safety glasses and hearing protection are required when cutting or grinding.