Ready for turning in a lathe, these rods are precision ground to a tight diameter tolerance. They’re also known as drill rod. Often used for dies, punches, and gauges, O1 tool steel is an oil-hardening material that resists wear and abrasion. It can also be surface hardened with heat treating for added wear resistance.

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.

These rods, also known as drill blanks, have an undersized diameter for machining your own drill bits. 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.