"Robert Swinney" wrote in message
...
Tool Steel - generic term for hardened steel used in metalworking. The
most
common tool steel, by far, is "High Speed Steel" (HSS). HSS as opposed to
ordinary *carbon tool steel* requires more complicated heat treatment.
Ordinary tool steel such as drill rod can be heat treated in the home
shop.
HSS cannot - or can't be easily heat treated without the controlled
environment of a high-temp oven. High Speed Steel was "all the rage" in
the
metalworking world of 100 years ago.


Yeah yeah yeah, but go and ask a punch/die supplier for a "tool steel" punch
and see if he offers one in HSS. More likely the next question will be "O1
or A2?")

Bimetal hole saws (standard high-quality hole saws like Starrett, Milwaukee,
Lenox, etc.) use HSS teeth and alloy steel bodies.

The bottom line is that while HSS is a "tooling steel" it's not exactly
interchangeable with "tool steel" as far as industry is concerned.

Regards,

Robin