HSS Steel Flat Bar Strip Metal Plate 6-200mm Width 300mm Long Lathe Turning Tool

Match the cross-section to your tool post's shank slot. Most mini and hobby lathes use 6×6mm to 10×10mm shanks; mid-size lathes commonly accept 12×12mm to 16×16mm; larger machines may use 20×20mm or 25×25mm. If you are grinding a parting blade, select a thin (1–3mm) wide strip. For boring bars or form tools, choose a thicker section for rigidity. When in doubt, measure your existing tool shank with calipers before ordering.

HSS flat bar stock is typically supplied in an annealed (soft) or semi-hardened condition to allow grinding and shaping. After grinding to your desired tool geometry, the blank can be hardened and tempered using standard HSS heat-treatment procedures (typically austenitizing at 1200–1280°C followed by quenching and triple tempering). If you need the bar in a fully hardened state for use as a wear strip or guide rail, contact us to confirm the supplied condition for your specific size.

In the annealed condition, HSS can be cut with a thin cutting disc on an angle grinder or with a bi-metal hacksaw blade, though it is significantly harder than mild steel and will wear blades faster. Avoid overheating during cutting, as this can alter the metallurgical properties near the cut edge. For precise parting, a surface grinder or a slow-speed cut-off wheel with coolant is recommended. Do not attempt to cut fully hardened HSS with a standard hacksaw.

Yes. HSS is a well-established tool steel for machining stainless steel, cast iron, brass, aluminium, and mild steel at moderate cutting speeds. It is less suited than carbide for very high-speed CNC operations, but for manual lathe work and low-to-medium speed cuts it performs reliably. For hardened workpieces above approximately HRC 45, carbide tooling is generally preferred. HSS excels where interrupted cuts, vibration, or tool geometry flexibility are priorities.

HSS is a high-alloy tool steel and has moderate corrosion resistance compared to stainless steel, but it will surface-rust if stored in humid conditions without protection. After receiving, lightly coat exposed surfaces with a thin film of machine oil or a rust-inhibiting spray. Store in a dry environment away from coolant splatter. Ground surfaces are particularly susceptible to flash rust; wipe dry and oil after any wet grinding operations.

For parting and grooving operations, a thin (1–3mm) wide strip minimises material removal and reduces cutting forces. For turning and facing tools, a square or near-square cross-section (e.g., 10×10mm or 12×12mm) provides the best rigidity and resistance to deflection under load. For wear strips and guide rails, prioritise width over thickness to maximise bearing surface area. For form tools with complex profiles, a wider flat bar gives more material to grind the desired contour.