When you need raw material on hand, the first decision is the right metal and the right shape. Do you need a set of thin strips for shimming and repair work, round bars for the lathe, a sturdy flat stock for one big part, or a thick aluminum plate for cutting? The four products here cover those different jobs, with listed prices from $16.14 to $161.00.
Quick take
The 304 stainless shim set has the lowest listed price and includes 24 strips that range from 0.02 mm to 0.3 mm thick. The 12L14 steel round bar assortment gives you five common diameters in one set. The 6061 aluminum plate is a large, thick piece of T6 aluminum for bigger cuts. The pre-hardened alloy steel flat is the largest, single-piece option.
Listed price comparison
| Listed stock | Listed price | Price bar | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 Stainless Steel Shim Assortment (24 pcs) | USD 16.14 | 1" x 12" strips in multiple thicknesses | |
| 12L14 Steel Round Bar Assortment (10 pcs) | USD 50.72 | 12" round bars in five diameters | |
| Pre-Hardened Alloy Steel Flat Stock | USD 161.00 | 36" x 12" x 1/4" pre-hardened flat | |
| 6061 Aluminum Plate | USD 158.08 | 0.5" thick, 16" x 19" plate |
Decision matrix
For a side-by-side look at material and form:
| Stock | Material and form | Key trait |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless shim assortment | 304 stainless steel, 1" x 12" strips | 24 pieces, multiple thicknesses |
| 12L14 round bar assortment | Carbon steel rods, 12" long | 10 bars in five diameters |
| Pre-hardened alloy flat | Pre-hardened alloy steel flat | 36" x 12" x 1/4" single piece |
| 6061 aluminum plate | 6061 T6 aluminum sheet plate | 0.5" thick, 16" x 19" |
Stainless Steel Shim Assortment
If you need to fine-tune spacing or add a thin layer to a joint, the 24-piece 304 stainless steel shim set is a low-price way to test different thicknesses. The strips measure about 1 inch by 12 inches and range from 0.02 mm to 0.3 mm, so you have a spread in one package. The finish is listed as smooth stainless steel, and the set is described as industrial grade. On the other hand, all the strips share the same 1-inch width, so you're not getting wide shims for larger surfaces. The description also notes that manual measurement can cause slight size differences and color may vary slightly.
12L14 Steel Round Bar Assortment
This set from Oakland Steel Inc. is built for machining: it includes two 12-inch rods each of 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", and 1" diameters, all in 12L14 carbon steel. That's ten bars with a combined length of 120 inches, making it a single order for a lathe-based project. The description highlights 12L14 as a suitable option for high-speed screw machine products, and lists a Rockwell hardness of B84 and a tensile strength of 78,300 psi. The limitation is that 12L14 is not a stainless grade, so it won't offer corrosion resistance; and all rods are capped at 12 inches, so you'll need to join or source longer pieces separately.
Pre-Hardened Alloy Steel Flat Stock
For a big, single-piece flat stock, this pre-hardened alloy steel flat measures 36 inches by 12 inches by 1/4 inch, with a listed price of USD 161.00. The description lists thickness and width tolerances, and the condition is listed as "New - Open box." That open-box status is worth weighing: the description mentions possible light surface rust staining and light scratches, though it says the flat has been inspected and treated with corrosion preventative. This is not a multi-piece assortment; you're buying one large flat that needs to be cut to your target sizes. If you have the equipment to break it down, this is a useful single source of pre-hardened steel.
6061 Aluminum Plate
This 6061 aluminum plate is a 0.5-inch-thick piece of T6 solid stock cut to 16 inches by 19 inches. The listed price is USD 158.08, and the title says it's new, with the description noting the plate is cut from 0.50" material. If you need a sizable aluminum blank for a machining project or a structural component, this gives you a full 16 x 19 inch working area without having to assemble smaller pieces. The trade-off is that it's a single plate, so you won't have a range of sizes to choose from in the same listing. You'll also be cutting the plate yourself into whatever shapes your project requires.
Final recommendation
If you're spacing or shimming small parts, the stainless shim assortment is a low-price way to try multiple thicknesses. For lathe work, the 12L14 round bar set gives you five diameters in carbon steel. Need a thick aluminum plate? The 6061 T6 plate offers a 16 x 19 inch cutting area. When you need one large pre-hardened steel flat with listed tolerances, the alloy steel flat stock is the piece to build around, keeping in mind its open-box condition.
