Tool Steel Machining Services
CNC milling, turning, grinding & rework of A2, D2, O1, H13, S7 tool steels.
ISO 9001:2015
Made in Canada
Years of Experience
Satisfied Customers
Overview
Tool steel machining demands precision and experience — especially in hardened and pre-hardened states. Pearson provides hybrid fulfillment of tool steel projects, completed in-house or through our Canadian supplier network. From punches to mold cavities, we ensure exact results across A2, D2, O1, H13, S7, and more.
Quick Specs
Our Capabilities
Our tool steel services — performed at our shop or through vetted Canadian partners — include:
- CNC Milling: deep cavities, profiles & hole patterns in tool steel blocks
- Turning: shafts, punches, dies & hardened round features
- Surface Grinding: precision flatness & thickness control on hardened parts
- Boring & Reaming: accurate hole finishing in heat-treated stock
- Repair & Modification: weld buildup + post-machining for reused tooling
- Prototyping: pre-hardened test parts or cavities before final hardening
Why Tool Steel?
- Consistent tolerances in difficult-to-machine, hardened alloys
- Extended tool life through precision surface finishes
- Cost savings by repairing & modifying existing tooling
- Reduced lead times with in-house roughing & finishing capabilities
- Expert handling of pre- and post-heat-treated tool steel
Our Equipment
Tool steel machining is supported with equipment used in-house or at certified partner facilities:
- 3- & 4-axis CNC mills with carbide tooling for tool steel
- Manual lathes & turret lathes for low-volume runs
- Surface & cylindrical grinders with diamond wheels
- Horizontal boring mills for large-format tool blocks
- Precision boring bars & reamers for heat-treated stock
- Welding stations for carbide weld repair & buildup
Tool Steel Grades
- A2 – air-hardened for dimensional stability & toughness
- D2 – high hardness & wear resistance
- O1 – oil-hardened for general-purpose tooling
- H13 – hot-work steel for die-casting & injection molds
- S7 – shock-resistant for impact tools & punches
| Grade | Key Traits | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | Air-hardening, good dimensional stability, balanced wear/toughness | General cold-work dies, form tools |
| D2 | High-carbon/high-chromium, very high wear & abrasion resistance | Blanking/punching dies, shear blades |
| O1 | Oil-hardening, general-purpose, good hardness from low austenitizing temp | Short-run dies, cutting tools, fixtures |
| H13 | Hot-work steel, thermal fatigue & shock resistance, high-temp strength | Die casting, hot extrusion, injection molds |
| S7 | Shock-resisting, high impact toughness, air-hardening | Punches, chisels, shear blades, forming tools |
Typical Applications
- Mold cavities, die inserts & forming tools
- Punch & die sets for stamping operations
- Fixture plates & hardened tooling plates
- Knife & shear blades with tight edge tolerances
- Repair & rework of worn or damaged tool components
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardness range can you machine?
We machine tool steels from soft state up to HRC 60 using optimized carbide and CBN tooling — either in-house or through qualified Canadian partners.
Can you repair cracked or chipped tool steel?
Yes. Whether performed on-site or through a certified partner shop, we coordinate weld buildup, prep, and finish machining to restore tool steel components.
What tolerances can you hold in hardened steel?
Typical tolerances are ±0.002″ (±0.05 mm) after hardening. On request, we can achieve ±0.001″ for select geometries depending on method and setup.
Do you offer pre-hardened prototyping?
Yes — we support both soft-state and pre-hardened prototypes, whether machined internally or via our tool steel supplier network.
Is this manufactured in-house?
Some tool steel work is completed in-house, while other jobs are fulfilled through our Canadian machining partners. Pearson manages sourcing, inspection, and logistics throughout the process.
Need Tool Steel Parts to Spec?
Tell us your requirements and get a detailed quote, lead-time estimate, and metallurgical advice.
Request a Tool Steel Quote