Two 12-inch round steel bars, two different jobs. The 12L14 Steel Bar Stock is a 1-inch diameter carbon steel rod built for CNC lathe work. The A2 Tool Steel 3/4" Round is an annealed, oversized tool steel rod meant for tooling projects. Both are new and made in the United States. The real question is whether you need free-machining carbon steel or A2 tool steel.
Quick verdict
If you are machining a one-off part on a CNC lathe and want the more economical of the two listed prices, the 12L14 Steel Bar Stock is the practical pick. If you need A2 tool steel in a round blank that arrives oversize for final machining, the A2 Tool Steel rod is the one to choose.
Cost, size, and material at a glance
| Product | Listed price | Price bar | Diameter | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12L14 Steel Bar Stock | $22.81 | 1 in | 12L14 carbon steel | |
| A2 Tool Steel Round Rod | $34.99 | 3/4 in | A2 tool steel |
Where each one wins
The 12L14 Steel Bar Stock wins on listed price and diameter. It sits at the lower listed price in this pair, and it also gives you a thicker 1-inch round, so you have more raw material for turning operations. The 12L14 grade is positioned as a machinable carbon steel for CNC work.
The A2 Tool Steel Round wins on material class and tolerance. The rod arrives annealed with a machined finish, and the diameter is oversized by +.005\" to +.030\" so you can machine to a final dimension. That makes it a better fit for A2 tooling jobs where oversize stock is useful.
Product notes
12L14 Steel Bar Stock 1 in Round x 12 in Long CNC Lathe Metal
This listing is the less expensive of the two, and the 1-inch outside diameter gives you more cross-section than the 3/4-inch A2 rod. You get a 12-inch long round bar in 12L14 carbon steel, with the product described as suitable for CNC lathe and metalworking. If you are making a shaft, bushing, or test part out of machinable carbon steel, this is the rod to lean toward. The limitation is that 12L14 is a carbon steel, not a tool steel, so it won't substitute for a project that explicitly calls for A2 tool steel.
A2 Tool Steel 3/4\" Round, 12\" long rod bar, A-2, Oversized
This $34.99 rod is the higher-priced option, but it brings A2 tool steel to the table. It is annealed, machined to a finish, and oversized on diameter from +.005\" to +.030\". That oversize gives you a little extra stock to machine away, and the 12-inch length matches the other rod. If your part needs A2 tool steel rather than carbon steel, this is the one to pick. The trade-offs are the higher listed price and the slimmer 3/4-inch diameter compared with the 1-inch 12L14 bar.
Final choice by use case
Choose the 12L14 Steel Bar Stock when you want the lower-priced, wider-diameter carbon steel bar for everyday CNC machining. Choose the A2 Tool Steel Rod when your project specifically needs A2 tool steel and you want a machined, oversize blank. Both are new US-made round rods, but they are built for different shops.
