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O1 Tool Steel Drill Rod 1/8" (3ft bar)

$4.07 Per Length
3ft Length O1 Grade
In Stock
Tax and shipping calculated at checkout.
Diameter
0.13 in"
Material
Tool Steel
Shape
Drill Rod
Weight
0.13 lb/length
Ships next business day Secure checkout Pickup available
Specifications
MaterialTool Steel
ShapeDrill Rod
AlloyO1
Diameter0.13 in"
Length3 ft (36")
Weight0.13 lb/length
SurfacePrecision Ground
MTRAvailable Upon Request
Characteristics
WeldabilityNot Recommended
MachiningExcellent
Bending/FormingPoor
Wear ResistanceExcellent
CorrosionPoor
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Description

O1 Tool Steel Drill Rod — 1/8" diameter, precision ground, sold in standard 3-foot lengths.

O1 is an oil-hardening tool steel prized for its excellent dimensional stability during heat treatment. With a carbon content of 0.95–1.1%, it can achieve hardness up to 65 HRC after proper heat treating, making it ideal for precision tooling applications.

Common Applications

  • Precision punches and dies
  • Gauges and measuring tools
  • Drill bushings and dowel pins
  • Custom knife making
  • Jigs and fixtures
  • Shear blades and cutting tools

Key Properties

  • Grade: O1 (Oil-Hardening)
  • Hardness (annealed): ~217 HB
  • Hardness (heat treated): 60–65 HRC
  • Surface finish: Precision ground
  • Standard length: 3 ft (36")
From the counter

About O1 tool steel

O1 is an oil-hardening tool steel, about 0.9% carbon, that you buy soft, shape, then harden in your own shop to the low 60s HRC with a warm oil quench. It's the classic steel for first knives, punches, and one-off dies because it forgives: it hardens in plain oil instead of a violent water quench, and it moves very little doing it. We stock it as precision-ground drill rod and ground flat bar in 3 ft bars.

Read the full O1 tool steel guide
Why do knife makers start with O1?
Because it forgives. It hardens fully in warm oil, a gentle ride for a thin blade, and it arrives annealed and ground so you can build a knife with a file and a drill press. A 60-62 HRC O1 blade holds a keen edge and teaches heat treating without burning an expensive billet.
How do you harden O1?
Heat to about 1475-1500F, soak, quench in warm oil, and temper right away. Most blades land at 60-62 HRC with a 350-400F temper. Test a coupon from the same bar rather than trusting a chart, since your kiln and oil are their own experiment.