Starrett 57244 A2 Tool Steel Flat Stock 1/8x3/4x18 in

Product Description

The STARRETT 57244 is an A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock bar designed for toolmakers, machinists, and die makers who need a reliable, precision-ground blank for punches, dies, gauges, and general toolroom work. Cut to 0.125 inches thick, 0.75 inches wide, and 18 inches long, it arrives with tight dimensional tolerances: plus or minus 0.001 inches on thickness and squareness, plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches on width, and plus 0.250 inches on length. AISI A2 tool steel air-hardens to minimize distortion during heat treatment, making it a practical choice for precision components that require dimensional stability after hardening.

A2 flat stock in this size range is commonly used in job shops, tool and die operations, and maintenance departments for fabricating small punches, forming dies, blades, templates, and fixture components. The 18-inch length provides enough stock for multiple parts from a single bar. At 0.48 pounds, this piece is easy to handle on a surface grinder or milling machine. It is suited to both one-off prototype work and short-run production tooling where tight tolerances are required before and after heat treatment.

Key Features

• AISI A2 air-hardening tool steel minimizes distortion during heat treat compared to oil-hardening grades
• Thickness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches supports direct use in precision toolroom applications
• Width tolerance of plus 0.000 to 0.005 inches provides a consistent starting point for grinding to final dimension
• Squareness tolerance of plus or minus 0.001 inches reduces setup time on surface grinders and mills
• 18-inch length with plus 0.250-inch length tolerance allows for saw-cut and cleanup stock removal
• Single-piece minimum order quantity suits low-volume and prototype toolroom needs

Compatibility

Designed as a general-purpose A2 air-hardening tool steel flat stock blank suitable for toolroom fabrication of punches, dies, blades, templates, and fixture components requiring precision tolerances.

Installation Notes

Machining and grinding of tool steel flat stock should be performed by qualified machinists or tool and die makers using appropriate cutting fluids and wheel dressings for hardened or semi-hardened steel. Heat treatment of A2 tool steel should follow the material specification guidelines for austenitizing temperature, soak time, and air-cooling procedure. Always allow the bar to reach ambient temperature before taking final measurements, as thermal expansion will affect dimensional readings. Wear appropriate PPE when sawing, grinding, or heat-treating tool steel.