Quick Take
Selecting raw materials metal stock starts with the shape you need and the job it will do. This comparison covers four distinct options: a large pre-hardened alloy steel flat, a 3003 aluminum sheet, a 304 stainless shim strip assortment, and a 12L14 round bar set. Listed prices run from USD 16.14 for the 24-piece stainless strip set to USD 161.00 for the 36-by-12-by-1/4-inch alloy steel flat. Because the forms are so different, the decision is not about which one is better overall; it is about which shape, material, and listed price fit your next operation.
Listed Price Comparison
| Metal Stock | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Pcs 304 Stainless Steel Strips Metal Shim Stock Assortment 1" Width X 12" Len | USD 16.14 | |
| 1/8 Inch Thick Aluminum Plate Stock 12" x 24" 3003 Alloy Mill Finish Sheet NEW | USD 47.04 | |
| 12L14 Steel Round Bar Stock Assortment - 10 Pcs - CNC Lathe Machining Metal Rods | USD 50.72 | |
| 4142 Alloy Steel Flat Stock 36 Inch x 12 Inch x 1/4 Inch Pre-Hardened | USD 161.00 |
Which Metal Stock Should You Pick?
- Pick the 4142 alloy steel flat stock when you need a large rectangular workpiece with a pre-hardened surface and enough area to make one solid part or several smaller ones.
- Pick the 3003 aluminum sheet when you want a corrosion-resistant, moderately sized flat plate that is thinner than steel stock and suited to cutting and forming.
- Pick the 304 stainless steel strip assortment when your job is precise shimming, gap filling, or feeler-style spacers in a range of thin thicknesses.
- Pick the 12L14 round bar set when you need round stock in five diameters for lathe or machining work and want the bars bundled in one purchase.
Product Notes
4142 Alloy Steel Flat Stock 36 Inch x 12 Inch x 1/4 Inch Pre-Hardened
This is the largest single workpiece in the group, spanning 36 inches by 12 inches with a 1/4-inch thickness in pre-hardened alloy steel. Its generous surface area makes it useful for large fixtures, base plates, or as stock you can cut into multiple smaller blanks. The condition is listed as new-open box, and the metal may show light surface rust staining or light scratches, so plan for some surface cleanup before final machining. At USD 161.00, it is the highest listed price here, but it is also the only pre-hardened steel flat in this set of options.
1/8 Inch Thick Aluminum Plate Stock 12" x 24" 3003 Alloy Mill Finish Sheet NEW
At USD 47.04, this 12-by-24-inch 3003 aluminum sheet gives you an unpolished mill finish in a corrosion-resistant alloy. The 1/8-inch thickness and flat 12-by-24-inch footprint make it a straightforward candidate for cutting into smaller blanks for brackets, panels, or custom shims. It is listed as a new item and made in the United States. The tradeoff is format: you get one sheet at one thickness, so if your project needs thicker plate or a larger area, this is not the piece to choose.
24 Pcs 304 Stainless Steel Strips Metal Shim Stock Assortment 1" Width X 12" Len
The lowest listed price in this comparison is USD 16.14 for a bundle of 24 stainless steel strips. Each strip is roughly 1 inch wide and 12 inches long, and the set ranges in thickness from about 0.02 mm to 0.3 mm. That variety makes it useful when you need several thin spacers for shimming, alignment, or gap filling without buying individual strips. The 304 stainless steel material is a corrosion-resistant choice for shop and DIY use. The main limitation is the thin profile: strips this narrow and thin are for precise spacing, not for carrying weight or serving as structural stock.
12L14 Steel Round Bar Stock Assortment - 10 Pcs - CNC Lathe Machining Metal Rods
This Oakland Steel Inc. set includes 10 round bars in 12-inch lengths, with two pieces each of 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, and 1 inch diameters. The 12L14 carbon steel grade is oriented toward high-speed screw machine products, spindles, bushings, and similar machining jobs, which makes it a sensible choice for CNC lathe work where you want several diameters in one order. At USD 50.72, it costs more than the aluminum sheet but less than the large alloy steel flat. Its limitation is material and length: as carbon steel, it lacks the corrosion resistance of 304 stainless, and each bar is only 12 inches long.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
If your work is large-scale and needs a pre-hardened steel flat, start with the 4142 Alloy Steel Flat Stock. If corrosion resistance matters more than weight, the 3003 Aluminum Sheet is the lighter option. For fine shimming and repeated spacing tasks, the 24-piece 304 Stainless Steel Strip Set offers the lowest listed price. And if you are building a stock of machinable round bars across common diameters, the 12L14 Steel Round Bar Assortment combines five sizes in a 10-piece set.
