Thread: Where can I buy tool steel

Arron,
what type of tools are you wanting to make?
regards Vasco

Visit Hare and Forbes if they have a branch near you. You can order on the internet if not. They have square, rectangular and round stock for metal turning. I have also seen HSS stock at Carbatec in WA that is sold as blanks for making your own turning chisels. Blackwoods could also be a likely supplier or any industrial retailer selling metalwork tooling.

Vasco - woodworking knives, chisels and specialised plane blades. Just home made tools in a small way. Also maybe things like scratch stock blades. I was anticipating buying the tool steel, cutting up a bunch of blades and getting them hardened at Skippers ($5 per kilo, $49 minimum). Naturally, if I'm going to be putting this much work into it then I want to be confident I'm using a good steel.

Rod, thanks for the tip about Hare and Forbes. I go there often, but never thought of them for steel. Blackwoods does sell tool steel and I had a talk to them but found them just too hard to deal with - I think maybe they didnt want to deal with anyone not buying a big quantity because they have to order it in themselves.

Since posting this I have found a place in Revesby called Edcon Steel which sound good.

thanks
Arron

Arron,
Like Rod I have seen HSS steel for chisels and blades at Carbatec and Timbecon both available in store and mail order although you may have to call them for mail order as it isn't on their web site as far as I can tell.
Regards Vasco

Hi all,
(0-1 or something similar would be preferred.)
I have been using Bohler steel K245 other wise known as S101A
I think this is the same grade that people refer to as "01"
Readily available from any large steel merchant, in any form, some will sell by the Metre.

Originally Posted by Tankstand

I have been using Bohler steel K245 other wise known as S101A

Bohler have branches in all states and will sell to the public, they have special steels of all types and can advise on the best material for the application. They do have a minimum cash sale value though.

Cheers Dave

Originally Posted by Arron

Hi, I want to buy some tool steel - just small quantities of bar stock for my own use. Does anyone know where I can buy it in Sydney - or failing that where I can mail order it. 0-1 or something similar would be preferred.

I have tried the yellow pages, and lots of net searches.

thanks
Arron

McJing sell tool steel
McJing Web Site

Have a look at Emco machine tools on Rawson st Auburn. Dennis runs a small business for model engineers and has good supplies of round silver tool steel and some oil hardening flats. I presume hou want your steel in the unhardened state for tool making. Also try a google search on AKS (Australian knife supplies) for mail order lengths of steel and they even give contacts for a heat treating mob that they recommend (it helps if the heat treater knows exactly what he is dealing with)

Hi Arron

You can buy High Speed steel stock from MCJing Tools (www.mcjing.com.au) as well they have a great range of turning tools wood & Metal.

Paul

Originally Posted by Arron

Hi, I want to buy some tool steel - just small quantities of bar stock for my own use. Does anyone know where I can buy it in Sydney - or failing that where I can mail order it. 0-1 or something similar would be preferred.

I have tried the yellow pages, and lots of net searches.

thanks
Arron

Arron

Carbatec in Perth have tool steel in rods, 6,8,10,13,16 maybe 19 mm dia x 300 mm. Flat bar 6 x 4, 8 x 4, 10 x 4 etc up to 30 mm x 4 and all the above in 6 mm thick also by 300 mm. They also have square bar up to 13 mm x 300 mm.
Excellent for making woodturning tools.

Enjoy
Regards
Joe

Wish we had a local version (web based supplier) like these guys:

http://www.flatground.com/

Says A2 can be oil hardened. What do you do with D2?

MMMMMMMM impressive site, just a pity that they are ashamed to list their physical address. I refuse to buy from online shops that do not list a physical addy.

Enjoy
Regards
Joe

I think they're just the online (US) store for the Bohler steel empire. Pretty much got the tool steel market cornered.

Arron

OK, Sure its an old thread but would like to know the results. Any success?

I am in the process of getting some HSS / M2 planer blades made (2x1/8).


Cheers,
Theva