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Nickel Technical Data
Rod and Bar
Tolerance on Diameter or Distance between Parallel Faces

Hot Finished Bar and Rod
Ordered diameter or distance between
parallel faces (inches)
Size Tolerances
(inches) (1)(4)
Plus Minus
Rod and Bar, Hot Finished 1.000 and Under 0.016 0.016
1.001 - 2.000 0.031 0.016
2.001 - 4.000 0.047 0.031
Over 4.000 0.125 0.063
Round Rod, Hot Finished and Rough 
Turned or Round Ground
1.000 and Over 0.031 0.010
Round Rod, Hot Finished, Semi-Smooth, Machined 3.501 and Over 0.031 0.000
Round Rod, Hot Finished, Smooth Finish, Machined 3.501 and Over 0.000 0.005 (2)
Forging Stock (rounds) .999 and Under 0.005 0.010 (3)
1.000 and Over 0.031 0.010 (3)
Forging Quality Bolt Stock (rounds only) 1/4, 5/16 0.0000 0.0062
3/8, 7/16, 1/2 0.0000 0.0066
9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13,16, 7/8 0.0000 0.0082
15/16, 1.0 0.0000 0.0098
1-1/16 to 1-1/2 in 1/16
inch increments
0.0000 0.0112
(1) Tolerances apply to diameter of rounds, to distance between parallel surfaces for hexagons and squares, and separately to width and thickness of rectangles.
(3) Spot grinding may be permitted to remove minor surface defects. The depth of grinding shall not exceed 3 percent of the diameter. 
(2) Permissible variations available as plus 0.005 inch, minus 0; or plus 0.0025 inch, minus 0.0025 inch.
(4) Areas on the ends of the bar and rod (for approximately 1 inch) that are under the permissible variations in diameter are permitted provided the desired finished surface can be obtained within the machining allowance.

Cold Drawn Rod and Bar
Ordered diameter or distance between parallel faces (inches) Tolerances (inches)
Plus Minus
Rounds .4999 and Under 0 0.003
.5000 - .9375 0 0.002 (1)
.9376 - 1.9375 0 0.003 (1)
1.9376 - 2.500 0 0.004 (1)
2.501 - 3.000 0 0.005 (1)
3.001 - 3.500 0 0.006 (1)
3.501 - 4.000 0 0.007 (1)
Hexagons 2.000 and Under 0 0.009
(1) For cold drawn, age hardened, bright finish shafting, an additional minus tolerance of 0.002 inch will be permitted.


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