Sourcing tool steel goes beyond picking a grade off a list. The finish condition, the inspection process, and the supplier’s quality system all affect whether the bar performs the way you need it to. Getting any one of those things wrong costs you time on the floor.
We’ve supplied precision-ground bar stock from Arlington Heights, IL, since 1970. Tool steel is one of the categories where buyers make the most avoidable mistakes. This post walks through what actually matters before you place the order.
What a Reliable ISO-Certified Tool Steel Supplier Actually Delivers
A good supplier does more than ship the right grade. They process it correctly, inspect it at every stage, and deliver it in the finished condition your application needs. Those three things together determine whether the bar is ready to use when it arrives.
We’re ISO 9001:2015 certified. That means quality control inspections run at each phase of our operation, not just at final shipment. For tool steel, that matters because finish and dimensional issues that slip through early process steps can still reach your floor even if a final check passes.
Finish Condition You Must Specify Before Ordering
Every tool steel round bar in our inventory is available in three finish conditions. Those are DCF (De-Carb Free), Ground, and Rough Turned. Each one serves a different downstream need, and if you don’t specify, you may receive a bar that needs extra processing before it’s usable.
The DCF bar has the decarburized surface layer removed, which is important when consistent surface hardness matters. The ground bar is precision-ground for dimensional accuracy. Rough-turned is an intermediate condition suited for parts that will see further machining. Be explicit when you request a quote.
Grades Matched to the Right Application
Our tool steel inventory covers a wide range of grades in annealed round bar form. A2 is a medium air-hardening grade for slitters and die shapes. D2 is high chromium, high carbon, and highly wear-resistant, making it the standard choice for blanking and forming dies. H13 is softening resistant at high temperatures and is used in die casting and extrusion dies.
For cutting and shock applications, M2 covers wear-resistant cutting tools. S7 handles high-impact tooling where toughness under sudden load is the priority. W1 is a water-hardening grade for metal cutting, embossing, and taps. O1 and O6 are oil hardening grades. P20 is the mold steel for injection molds and die casting dies.
The Full Grade Inventory at a Glance
Our complete annealed round bar inventory includes A10, A11, A2, A6, A7, A8, A9, D2, D3, D7, H11, H13, L6, M2, M3, M4, M50, M7, O1, O2, O6, P20, S1, S5, S7, W1, W2, T1, T15, and Viscount 44. That covers a broad range of air hardening, hot work, high speed, oil hardening, and shock-resistant grades.
All grades are available in DCF, Ground, or Rough Turned finish. Pricing is by quote. If you don’t see the grade you need on this list, reach out directly, and we’ll confirm availability for your specific requirement.
Precision Grinding That Gets the Bar to Dimension
Getting the right grade is step one. Getting the bar to the dimensional accuracy your process needs is step two. Our centerless grinding holds tolerances to .0001 inches with a surface finish of 8 micro inches or better. That level of control reduces secondary work before the bar reaches your machines.
Grinding capacity runs up to 9 inches in diameter and 50 feet in length. Our specialized grinding division handles up to 7 inches in diameter and 24 feet in length. CNC rotary dressers allow us to grind intricate radii and profiles. In-process gauging runs during the grinding cycle, so dimensional checks happen continuously.
Saw Cutting and Machining Beyond Bar Form
If you need tool steel cut to specific lengths, our CNC automated cold saws handle diameters up to 7 inches. Cold sawing produces clean, smooth cuts with tighter length tolerances than friction or band sawing methods. Shorter pieces get specialized saws that reduce vibration during the cut.
For parts work, our facility runs CNC milling and lathe machines alongside precision grinding. Custom machining works from solid bars, rounds, tubes, and existing forgings or castings. Milling holds tolerances to plus or minus 0.0001 inches. Quality inspections run after each machining phase, so nothing moves forward with an unresolved issue.
Request a Quote for Tool Steel Today
Ready to source ISO certified tool steel for your next project? Submit your request through our quote form at ohareprecision.com/request-a-quote. Include the grade, finish condition, diameter, and length so we can respond quickly.
You can also call us at (847) 640-6050 or email sales@ohareprecision.com. We’re available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm CST, at 2404 W. Hamilton Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005.
FAQs
What tool steel grades do you carry in round bar?
We stock A2, D2, H13, M2, S7, W1, O1, O6, P20, and more, including A10 through Viscount 44, all in annealed round bar form.
What finish conditions are available for tool steel bar?
All grades are available in DCF (De-Carb Free), Ground, or Rough Turned finish. Specify your condition when requesting a quote.
What tolerances can you hold on a ground tool steel bar?
Our centerless grinding holds tolerances to .0001 inches with a surface finish of 8 micro inches or better.
Are you ISO certified as a tool steel supplier?
Yes. We are ISO 9001:2015 certified with quality control inspections at each phase of operation. Details at ohareprecision.com/certified-iso-9001.