Ready for turning in your lathe, these rods are precision ground and held to a strict straightness tolerance. Also known as chrome-moly steel, this versatile alloy steel is used for a wide range of parts, such as gears, axles, shafts, collets, and die holders. It resists fracturing from repeated stress. For added wear resistance, you can surface harden these rods with heat treating.

Note: Rods may be made from either 4140 or 4142 alloy steel. They are interchangeable in most applications.

Made with more carbon and manganese than other easy-to-machine carbon steels, 1144 carbon steel has a higher yield strength and hardness. Use them to fabricate parts that require stress resistance, such as gears, shafts, and bushings. For added wear resistance, these rods can be surface hardened with heat treating.

Precision ground and held to strict straightness tolerances, these 304 stainless steel rods are made for accurate turning and machining. They’re used to create precise cylindrical parts that hold up to water and chemicals, such as guide rods in automated laboratory equipment. Made from the most common stainless steel, these rods can be used in a wide range of applications. They maintain their corrosion resistance in temperatures up to 1500° F.

Also known as reamer blanks, these rods have an oversized diameter that allows for finishing to your exact requirements. They're hardened for increased abrasion and impact resistance. M2 tool steel offers a nice balance of wear resistance and machinability. It has a high molybdenum content, which allows it to maintain sharp cutting edges even at elevated temperatures.

Precision ground and held to a strict straightness tolerance, these rods are ready for turning in your lathe. Also known as drill rod, this A2 tool steel is more wear resistant than O1 and keeps a sharper cutting edge. It’s air-hardening, so it doesn’t require baths or quenching after heat treatment. This tool steel is often used for punches, blades, and hammers.

Ready for turning in your lathe, these rods are precision ground and held to strict diameter and straightness tolerances. Also known as drill rod. With far less alloy content than other tool steel, W1 is the most machinable we offer. These rods are often used to make hammers, files, and reamers—tools that don't require the dimensional stability of A2 or O1. These rods are also decarb-free, which means any surface flaws created during the manufacturing process have been removed. This makes them even more machinable and leads to better results from heat treating or finishing. Heat treat the surface for extra wear resistance. Or, quench this steel in water to boost its hardness and strength, giving it a sharper, more durable edge for small tools.

When an off-the-shelf size won't do, we'll get you the exact dimensions you need.

One of the most corrosion-resistant types of stainless steel, 316 stands up to the harshest chemicals, including bleach, chlorine, and phosphoric acid. It's a step up from 304, which has similar strength and temperature performance. Use it in a variety of marine and chemical-processing applications. It maintains its corrosion resistance in temperatures up to 1500° F.