HSS Steel Flat Bar Strip Metal Plate 1-200mm Width 300mm Long Lathe Turning Tool

Match the blank width to the tool holder slot or lantern post opening on your lathe. For general turning tools on a hobby or light-duty lathe, widths of 6–12mm are common. Thicker blanks (8–14mm) provide more rigidity for interrupted cuts or heavy stock removal. If you are unsure, check your lathe's tool post specification or measure an existing tool that fits correctly.

Yes. Narrow, thin sections — such as 2mm × 20mm or 3mm × 25mm — are well suited for grinding into parting blades. The 300mm length gives you enough material to grind the cutting geometry and still have a secure clamping section remaining in the tool holder.

HSS has moderate corrosion resistance compared to stainless steel, but it is not rust-proof. Store pieces in a dry environment and apply a light coat of machine oil if they will not be used immediately. Surface rust, if it develops, can typically be removed by light grinding before use without affecting the underlying material properties.

An aluminium oxide (white or grey) grinding wheel rated for HSS is the standard choice for bench grinders. Avoid using silicon carbide wheels intended for carbide, as they cut HSS too aggressively and can cause micro-cracking. Keep the workpiece cool by dipping it in water frequently during grinding to prevent drawing the temper.

Thinner sections (1mm–2mm thickness) can serve as shim stock in toolroom and fixture applications where a hard, dimensionally stable material is needed. However, for precision shimming requiring tight thickness tolerances, verify the actual thickness with a micrometer upon receipt, as cut bar stock may have a small manufacturing tolerance.

Compatibility depends on your specific tool holder pocket dimensions. Many CNC quick-change tool posts accept square or rectangular HSS blanks in common sizes such as 10×10mm, 12×12mm, or 16×16mm. Select the width × thickness combination that matches your holder's insert pocket, then grind the cutting geometry to suit your application.

HSS is tougher and more forgiving of interrupted cuts and vibration, making it a practical choice for manual lathes, soft metals, and wood turning. Carbide holds a harder edge at higher speeds but is brittle and more expensive to grind. For hobby machinists and toolroom work at moderate speeds, HSS flat bar strip offers a cost-effective and re-grindable alternative to indexable carbide inserts.