Choosing raw materials metal stock for a machining or fabrication project usually comes down to two things: what alloy you need and how many bars you want to keep on hand. The four offerings here cover very different jobs: a mixed 1018 lot for general shop stock, a single 12L14 rod for CNC lathe work, a multi-diameter 12L14 assortment, and a specialty S7 tool steel bar for impact-resistant tooling. If you're trying to decide which one belongs in your next order, the key is matching the bar count and grade to the work you'll actually do.
Quick Take
If you need common diameters for screw machine or lathe work, the 12L14 assortment gives you a broad set of options in one order. If you want a one-off 12L14 bar, the single rod is the direct pick. For general shop stock, the 1018 lot spreads the material across many pieces. And for punches, dies, chisels, and other high-shock tooling, the S7 bar is the specialty choice.
Listed Price Comparison
The four listed prices run from USD 22.81 to USD 50.72. The bar chart below shows where each product sits on that spread.
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| 1018 Steel Bar Stock Lot | USD 40.64 | |
| 12L14 Steel Bar Stock Round Rod | USD 22.81 | |
| 12L14 Round Bar Stock Assortment | USD 50.72 | |
| S7 Tool Steel Round Bar | USD 34.93 |
Decision Matrix
Use this table to match each product with the job it fits best.
| Product | Best For | Watch Out |
|---|---|---|
| 1018 Steel Bar Stock Lot | Replenishing general shop stock in one order | Sizes vary across the lot, so you may need to sort before use |
| 12L14 Steel Bar Stock Round Rod | A single 12L14 rod for a specific lathe job or test piece | Only one diameter and one length are included |
| 12L14 Round Bar Stock Assortment | CNC lathe work that needs multiple common diameters | All bars are round stock in one length |
| S7 Tool Steel Round Bar | Punches, dies, chisels, and other high-shock tooling | Specialty 7/8-inch diameter rod, not a general machining stock |
Product Notes
1018 Steel Bar Stock Lot
This is a 27-piece lot of 1018 mild steel with a total weight of 19.75 lb. The pieces are suitable for machining, welding, fabrication, tool making, practice projects, and general shop use, so it works well as a stock replenishment order when you want a range of material on hand. Because it's a single lot, you get many bars in one purchase rather than one individual rod. The trade-off is that rod lengths and diameters vary across the lot, so sorting the pieces is part of the work. If you're okay with that, this is a good choice for everyday shop stock.
12L14 Steel Bar Stock Round Rod
This is a single 12L14 round rod from Oakland Steel Inc., measuring 1 inch in diameter by 12 inches long. The 12L14 grade is a carbon steel with excellent machinability, which makes it a natural fit for CNC lathe work and other machining operations. If you need one bar for a specific setup or want to try the alloy before committing to a larger assortment, this is the simplest pick. The limitation is straightforward: this package is one rod, one diameter, one length.
12L14 Round Bar Stock Assortment
This 10-piece assortment from Oakland Steel Inc. includes two bars each of five common diameters spanning 1/2 to 1 inch, all in 12-inch lengths. That gives you a broad set of round 12L14 stock for CNC lathe work, spindles, bushings, hose fittings, and high-speed screw machine products. It's a direct way to cover multiple diameters in one order. The main limitation is that all pieces are round bars with the same 12-inch length, so there's no shape mix or longer stock in the set. If you need variety in diameter, this is the option to compare.
S7 Tool Steel Round Bar
This S7 tool steel rod is 7/8 inch in diameter and supplied as a new round bar made in the United States. S7 is an air-hardening tool steel used for high shock and high impact operations, including punches, dies, chisels, and similar tooling. If your project involves impact-prone tooling rather than general machining, this bar gives you a specialist alloy in a single, compact size. The catch: this is a specialty 7/8-inch rod rather than a general-purpose bar or a multi-piece assortment, so it doesn't replace the 12L14 options or the mixed 1018 lot for everyday work.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
Here's a clean way to decide:
- If you need multiple 12L14 diameters for CNC lathe work, start with the round bar assortment. The two bars of each size make it easy to keep common diameters on hand.
- If you only want a single 12L14 rod for a specific job, the single round rod is the straightforward option.
- If you want general mild steel stock for fabrication, practice projects, or shop replenishment, the 1018 lot spreads material across many pieces.
- If your work centers on high-shock tooling like punches, dies, or chisels, the S7 rod is the impact-tooling pick.
