I'm replacing the flails in my chipper/mulcher. I've ordered new flails online but I can't get the spacers, so I'll need to make them. The original spacers are made from very soft seam-welded steel tube. As you can see, they mushroom badly, which is hardly surprising given the flogging they get and the material they are made from. They are 5/8 OD x ½ ID. I'd like to make the new ones more robust because when they mushroom they make removing the flail pins very difficult. I'm thinking of drilling and reaming ½" holes in parted-off lengths of 20mm round steel bar. Ideally I'd like to harden them too, so something heat-treatable would be good. They won't need to be tool steel hard, just harder than the rubbish the originals are made from.

Anyone know what a suitable grade of steel might be?
And where to get it in Melbourne? I'll need about 300mm.

TIA.
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