W1 Tool Steel Precision Ground Drill Rod

W1 tool steel drill rod is a water hardening grade and one of the oldest grades of tool steel around. Despite the advances of the air and oil hardening grades, W1 maintains its usefulness in applications that require a softer core, high hardness and machinability, along with a relatively low cost. W1 is shallow hardening, possesses great toughness and is one of the easiest grades to grind and machine. With its high carbon content it can often be used without further heat treatment methods. Common applications include: drills, knives, collets, pipe cutters, forming dies, gauges, embossing dies, draw punches, bushings, forming rolls, wood augers. Common trade names include Watercrat, 11 Special, H-9 Double Header, Lion, Ajax, Colonial No. 14, Washington, XXX, Pompon Special, Blue Label, Crescent Special.