Choosing raw materials metal stock starts with shape, not just material: do you need round rod for turning and machined parts, or thin flat strips for spacing, repair, and fabrication? These two assortments serve those different jobs. The 12L14 Steel Round Bar Stock Assortment costs USD 50.72, while the 304 Stainless Steel Strips Metal Shim Stock Assortment is USD 16.14, a USD 34.58 spread.
Quick verdict
Pick 12L14 Steel Round Bar Stock Assortment - 10 Pcs - CNC Lathe Machining Metal Rods when your project calls for 12-inch round stock across several diameters. Its five-diameter format is oriented toward parts such as spindles, bushings, and hose fittings described for 12L14 steel.
Pick 24 Pcs 304 Stainless Steel Strips Metal Shim Stock Assortment 1" Width X 12" Len when the job calls for thin, rectangular pieces. The set covers eight stated thicknesses, making it the more targeted choice for shimming, crafting, repairs, and DIY tasks where a flat strip is the starting form.
At-a-glance comparison
| Detail | 12L14 Steel Round Bar Stock Assortment | 304 Stainless Steel Strips Metal Shim Stock Assortment |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 50.72 | USD 16.14 |
| Form | Round bars | Rectangular strips |
| Pack format | 10 pieces; two each in five diameters | 24 pieces |
| Length | 12 in | About 12 in |
| Listed size range | 1/2 in, 5/8 in, 3/4 in, 7/8 in, and 1 in diameters | 1 in width; 0.02 mm to 0.3 mm thicknesses |
| Material | 12L14 carbon steel | 304 stainless steel |
Where each product wins
For round machining blanks: The 12L14 assortment brings together 1/2-inch through 1-inch round diameters, with two bars of each size. That makes it a practical match when a job needs several rod diameters in the same 12-inch length rather than a single flat-stock format. Its description specifically identifies uses including high-speed screw-machine products, spindles, bushings, and hose fittings.
For thin spacing material: The 304 stainless assortment is the more natural fit for flat shims. Its 1-inch-wide strips span eight listed thicknesses-0.02, 0.03, 0.05, 0.08, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.3 mm-so the selection is centered on changing thickness while keeping a narrow rectangular shape.
Product notes
12L14 Steel Round Bar Stock Assortment - 10 Pcs - CNC Lathe Machining Metal Rods
Choose this Oakland Steel Inc. assortment when round bar diameter is the key variable in your work. The package includes two 12-inch bars each in 1/2-inch, 5/8-inch, 3/4-inch, 7/8-inch, and 1-inch diameters, creating a compact set for moving among common round sizes. The 12L14 carbon-steel description connects the material to machined items including spindles, bushings, and hose fittings, which helps clarify its intended kind of project. At USD 50.72, it is the higher-priced choice in this comparison. Its central limitation is equally clear: every piece is round bar, so it does not provide the thin flat-strip format used for shimming or narrow sheet-style work.
24 Pcs 304 Stainless Steel Strips Metal Shim Stock Assortment 1" Width X 12" Len
Choose the 304 stainless strip assortment for projects that begin with thin, flat pieces rather than rod. The 24-piece format has a stated 1-inch width and approximately 12-inch length, while the listed thickness progression runs from 0.02 mm to 0.3 mm. That range gives a craft, repair, or DIY project multiple thin-strip options without changing the overall rectangular format. At USD 16.14, it is the lower-listed-price option here. The tradeoff is its fixed narrow-strip profile: it is not a round-bar assortment and does not offer the five round diameters included with the 12L14 set.
Final choice by use case
Choose the 12L14 Steel Round Bar Stock Assortment for CNC lathe work or other projects needing 12-inch round rods in diameters from 1/2 inch through 1 inch. Choose the 304 Stainless Steel Strips Metal Shim Stock Assortment for thin flat shims, especially when selecting among eight listed thicknesses matters more than having round stock. The deciding question is simple: start with the bar shape required by the part-round rod for machined forms, or narrow flat strip for shim-oriented work.
