When you are setting up a wire EDM or CNC machine, the workholding block you choose determines how securely and repeatably your workpiece sits during the cut. The challenge is finding a fixture block that gives you the rigidity you need without turning tooling into a budget problem. In the workholding fixturing metrology category, the Mecatool Steel Rectangular Fixture Block (MPN C 597250) is a used option listed at $275.00, and it raises a practical question: Is a used steel block from the Mecatool brand worth bringing into your shop?
Quick verdict
For a machinist or mold shop that already works with wire EDM and needs a steel rectangular block for clamping or positioning workpieces, this Mecatool fixture block is a reasonable candidate. The listed price is $275.00, and the block is sold as is, so it is a straightforward purchase for someone comfortable evaluating used tooling before it goes on the machine.
Who it suits
This fixture block suits a shop that uses Agie wire EDM or comparable CNC equipment and wants a dedicated steel block rather than improvising with clamps and parallels. It is a fit for buyers who do not mind a used block and are willing to work with an item that carries a history. The block is rectangular, made of steel, and classified as a fixture block, which aligns with the basic needs of repeatable setups in metalworking and manufacturing.
What stands out from the listed details
The main draws are the Mecatool brand, the steel material, and the rectangular fixture-block shape. It was used on an Agie wire EDM, which gives you a clear picture of the environment it came from. That background is useful if you are looking for a block that has already been applied in a wire-cutting setting.
Mecatool Steel Rectangular Fixture Block (MPN C 597250)
This is the listed workholding block, a steel rectangular fixture block from Mecatool. It is sold as is and was used on an Agie wire EDM, so you are getting a used item with real shop history. If you are comfortable buying used, this is a concrete reason to choose it: it gives you a branded steel block from the Mecatool line to add to your workholding setup. The limitation is the used condition and the 'sold as is' statement. Because the block has already been on a wire machine, you have to accept the condition as it comes and decide if the purchase fits your tolerance for used tooling.
Meaningful trade-offs
The key trade-off is the used status. A steel block that has spent time on a wire EDM can carry unseen wear. You are paying for a fixture block that you may need to clean, inspect, or even rework before it meets your standards. For jobs with very tight dimensional requirements, a used block can introduce uncertainty that a new, unworn block would not. This is a practical purchase for a single steel block, but it is not a no-risk purchase.
Another trade-off is that you are getting a basic rectangular fixture block with no extraneous features. It does what a fixture block is supposed to do, but it does not promise anything beyond that. If you need specialty clamping or locating features, this block is not presented as such.
Bottom line
If you need a steel rectangular fixture block for wire EDM or general CNC workholding and you are comfortable buying used tooling, the Mecatool block at $275.00 is a practical choice. The Mecatool brand, steel construction, and rectangular shape all point to a functional workholding fixture that belongs on a machine table. Choose it because it fits the bill for dedicated EDM setups, and go in knowing it is a used item sold as is.
