Tool steel state.

[dubser]

What is normally the state for named "tool steel" as for example Starret tool steel . Is it saled in soft State ?

Thanks a lot

Serge

 

[Janger]

I would say it’s usually annealed or soft. Got a link for that Serge? Welcome.

 

[dubser]

For clarity I'm talking about products like this:

https://www.kbctools.ca/products/search/1-965-140

 

[francist]

It looks to me like it is in the annealed state (which is what one would expect).

 

[dubser]

Thanks a lot

 

[Janger]

$78 for one pound of steel? ??? Holy...Is that reasonable for tool steel?

 

[Tom O]

I belive I bought some at metal supermarket for around that price 3’ x 2 x 1/4

 

[PeterT]

I wonder if its an odd (small) cross section size? Am I reading that right 5/32 x 5/32 square section x length?
Lots of other 5/32 in wider widths at lower cost
https://www.kbctools.ca/CatSearch/850/oil-hardening/1?v=j&facet=[["Thickness","Thickness","5/32\""]]

Anyways, yes, tool steel can be substantially more expensive than most regular grades of steel. It has to do with careful control of carbon% & other alloy ingredients necessary to achieve resultant hardness & properties. As a general rule you can only surface harden mild steels with specific processes or only achieve a lower through hardness with specific alloys like 4xxx. So you would only choose tool steel if you want the hardness.