Drill rod is round, precision-ground tool steel bar stock supplied in the annealed (unhardened) condition, allowing for easy machining before heat treatment. Southern Tool Steel stocks drill rod in five tool steel grades — A2, D2, O1, S7, and W1 — in standard 36" lengths.
Diameter tolerances are +/- .0003" for sizes .124" and under, +/- .0005" for .125" through .449", and +/- .0010" for .500" through 3". Standard length tolerance is +1/8", -0.
Whether you are producing dies, punches, gauges, or precision machine components, our drill rod inventory is ready to ship nationwide.
What is Drill Rod?
Drill rod is cold-drawn, annealed round bar stock that has been ground and polished to precise tolerances with no decarburization remaining on the bars. Because it is supplied in the soft, annealed condition, it is readily machinable using standard high-speed steel tooling. After machining to a desired shape or profile, drill rod can be hardened through heat treatment and drawn back to the required working hardness for the application.
The ground and polished surface finish distinguishes drill rod from standard round bar. The tight dimensional tolerances make it well-suited for precision components where size accuracy is critical before and after heat treatment.
Drill Rod Grades and Applications
Selecting the right grade comes down to your hardening method, required wear resistance, and how much toughness or dimensional stability the application demands.
|
Grade |
Hardening Method |
Typical Hardness (HRC) |
Wear Resistance |
Toughness |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A2 |
Air |
57–62 |
High |
High |
All-purpose cold work dies, gauges, punches |
|
D2 |
Air |
62–64 |
Very High |
Moderate |
High-wear dies, slitters, long production runs |
|
O1 |
Oil |
57–62 |
Moderate–High |
High |
General tooling, knives, bushings, forming dies |
|
S7 |
Air |
58–60 |
Moderate |
Very High |
Punches, chisels, and shock-loaded components |
|
W1 |
Water |
Up to 68 |
High |
Moderate |
Drills, taps, reamers, and hand cutting tools |
For full chemical composition, heat treatment data, and available product forms for each grade, see the individual grade pages:
A2 Tool Steel | D2 Tool Steel | O1 Tool Steel | S7 Tool Steel
Common Applications for Tool Steel Drill Rod
-
Punches and dies
-
Gauges and inspection fixtures
-
Drill bits, reamers, taps, and broaches
-
Dowel pins and locating pins
-
Drive shafts and spindles
-
Mold and die components
-
Cutting blades and knives
-
Machine parts requiring high durability
Industries Served
-
Aerospace and defense
-
Medical device manufacturing
-
Mold making and plastics processing
-
General industrial and job shop machining
Contact a Tool Steel Drill Rod Supplier
Southern Tool Steel is a stocking distributor of tool steel drill rod in A2, D2, O1, S7, and W1 grades. Our team can help you identify the right grade for your application, confirm tolerances, and get material shipped quickly.