HSS Steel Flat Bar Strip Metal Plate Lathe Turning Tools 2~28mm Thick 200mm Long

Match the T×W cross-section to your tool post or holder slot. A common starting point for small hobby lathes is 8×8 mm or 10×10 mm square; larger industrial lathes often use 12×12 mm up to 20×20 mm. For form tools or parting blades, a thin, wide bar (e.g., 3×20 mm or 4×25 mm) gives the blade geometry you need. When in doubt, measure your existing tool blanks or the slot in your quick-change tool post.

HSS retains its hardness at temperatures up to approximately 600 °C (1112 °F), which makes it capable of cutting mild steel, aluminium, brass, and many grades of stainless steel at moderate cutting speeds. For very hard materials or high-speed production runs, carbide inserts are typically preferred. HSS excels in toolroom and low-to-medium volume applications where re-grinding is practical.

HSS is not stainless — it will develop surface rust if stored in a humid environment without protection. After receiving the bar, wipe it with a light machine oil or rust-preventive spray and store it in a dry location. If surface rust appears before grinding, it can be removed with fine abrasive paper without affecting the bulk material properties.

These are raw stock bars intended to be ground into cutting tools — they are not finished end mills or inserts. Once you grind the appropriate geometry, the resulting tool can be used in a lathe, manual mill, fly cutter, or boring head. The flat bar format is particularly convenient for grinding single-point turning tools and form tools.

A standard aluminium oxide (grey or white) grinding wheel rated for tool steel works well for HSS. White aluminium oxide wheels run cooler and are preferred for HSS to avoid overheating the cutting edge. Use a coarse grit (46–60) for bulk material removal and a finer grit (80–120) for finishing the edge. Always quench the bar in water frequently to prevent overheating, which can soften the steel.

Square cross-sections (e.g., 8×8, 10×10, 12×12 mm) are the standard format for single-point lathe turning tools and fit most quick-change tool post holders directly. Rectangular bars (e.g., 3×20, 4×30 mm) are used for parting blades, form tools, and scraper blades where a thin, wide profile is mechanically advantageous. Choose based on the tool geometry you intend to grind.

Currently, the 300 mm length is available only for the 20×20 mm cross-section. All other size combinations are supplied at the standard 200 mm length. If you need a longer bar in a different cross-section, please contact us to confirm availability.