Quick take
If you're choosing metal stock for a machining setup, the practical tension is round rod vs. flat plate, plus which alloy and how many pieces you actually need. Here are four new steel and aluminum choices between USD 34.99 and USD 73.99: a 1-1/4" D2 tool steel round, a 3/4" A2 tool steel round, a 10-piece 12L14 steel round-bar assortment, and a 6061 aluminum flat bar. The D2 rod sits at the upper end of this listed range, the A2 rod is the lower-priced single round, the 12L14 assortment covers several steel diameters, and the 6061 flat bar gives you a machinable aluminum plate.
Listed-price comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Listed Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| D2 Tool Steel 1-1/4\" Round, 12\" long rod bar, D-2, Oversized | USD 73.99 | |
| A2 Tool Steel 3/4\" Round, 12\" long rod bar, A-2, Oversized | USD 34.99 | |
| 12L14 Steel Round Bar Stock Assortment - 10 Pcs - CNC Lathe Machining Metal Rods | USD 50.72 | |
| 6061 Aluminum Flat Bar, 1/2\" x 8\" x 8\" long, Solid Stock, Plate, Machining | USD 40.99 |
Decision matrix
| If your priority is... | Start with... | Listed Price |
|---|---|---|
| A single larger tool-steel round | D2 Tool Steel 1-1/4\" Round | USD 73.99 |
| A single smaller tool-steel round at a lower listed price | A2 Tool Steel 3/4\" Round | USD 34.99 |
| A multi-diameter steel assortment for CNC work | Oakland Steel Inc. 12L14 Round Bar Stock Assortment | USD 50.72 |
| A flat aluminum plate for machining | 6061 Aluminum Flat Bar, 1/2\" x 8\" x 8\" | USD 40.99 |
Product notes
D2 Tool Steel 1-1/4" Round, 12" long rod bar, D-2, Oversized
This listing is a single oversized D2 round that is 12 inches long and in annealed condition, so it arrives ready for machining rather than hardened. If your project calls for a larger-diameter tool-steel bar and you want one solid work piece, that is the straightforward reason to pick this one. The trade-off is the listed price: at USD 73.99, it is the top figure in this group. It is also one bar rather than an assortment, so it makes sense when you need one specific piece, not a kit of multiple sizes.
A2 Tool Steel 3/4" Round, 12" long rod bar, A-2, Oversized
The A2 listing is one 3/4-inch round, 12 inches long, made in annealed condition. It is the lower-priced single round in this set, which makes it a reasonable choice for a smaller tooling blank or a test piece if you don't need the larger D2 diameter or the multi-bar assortment. The limitation is scope: this is a single bar, so it won't cover several diameters at once. If your plan is to machine one compact round, this keeps the purchase simple.
12L14 Steel Round Bar Stock Assortment - 10 Pcs - CNC Lathe Machining Metal Rods
This Oakland Steel Inc. assortment gives you 10 pieces: two bars each in 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, and 1-inch diameters. The main reason to choose it is coverage-you get five steel diameters in one set, which is useful for CNC lathe machining, screw-machine work, bushings, and similar jobs where different rod sizes come into play. The limitation is that the set is fixed; you can't custom-pick the diameters or individual quantities. For a job needing only one specific size, the single D2 or A2 rods may be more direct.
6061 Aluminum Flat Bar, 1/2" x 8" x 8" long, Solid Stock, Plate, Machining
This 6061 aluminum flat bar is 1/2 inch thick, 8 inches wide, and 8 inches long, in T6511 temper. The listing describes a machined finish with some normal scratches and nicks, and notes that the surface is not intended to be finished. If you need a machinable aluminum plate rather than a round steel rod, this is the choice. The trade-off is that it's one piece of flat stock, so it won't give you round-bar flexibility. Also, if your project demands a pristine surface, the normal surface marks mean you may need to do your own cleanup.
Final call by use case
Start with the D2 rod if you need a single large tool-steel round and can work with the higher listed price. Choose the A2 rod when a smaller single tool-steel bar at a lower listed price fits the job. Pick the 12L14 assortment when you want five steel diameters in one kit for lathe machining. Grab the 6061 flat bar when the work piece is a flat aluminum plate rather than a round rod.
