Zinc Plated Steel 3 Foot Unthreaded Rods
What are zinc plated steel unthreaded rods? These are plain round mild steel bars with a zinc plated finish, supplied in three foot lengths for cutting and machining into pins, shafts, spacers, and custom parts. The zinc coating serves two purposes: it keeps the bar clean and rust free in storage, which matters for material that may sit on a rack for months, and it gives moderate corrosion protection once the finished part is in service. AlbanyCountyFasteners.com stocks six diameters from 3/8 inch through 1 inch.
Diameter:
What the zinc plating does and does not cover
Worth understanding before you cut. The plating is applied to the bar as supplied, so it protects the outside surface along the full length. The moment you cut the bar, both new ends are bare steel, and anywhere you turn, drill, or file removes the coating entirely. On a finished part that lives indoors, that rarely matters. On anything outdoors or damp, those exposed areas are where corrosion starts, usually at the cut ends first because that is where end grain steel meets moisture. If the part is going into a wet environment, plan on painting, oiling, or otherwise protecting the machined surfaces after the part is finished.
Why choose zinc plated steel rod
- Clean, rust free bar stock straight from storage
- Moderate corrosion protection on the finished part in indoor service
- Mild steel machines, drills, and threads readily
- Economical raw material for making custom parts
- Three foot lengths yield multiple parts with minimal waste
Diameters and lengths
- 3/8 inch diameter, 3 foot length
- 7/16 inch diameter, 3 foot length
- 1/2 inch diameter, 3 foot length
- 5/8 inch diameter, 3 foot length
- 3/4 inch diameter, 3 foot length
- 1 inch diameter, 3 foot length
Common applications
- Pivot pins, clevis pins, and linkage parts
- Roller shafts, axles, and spindles in equipment repair
- Guide rods and alignment pins for jigs and fixtures
- Spacers, standoffs, and custom bushings
- Shop-built tooling and machine modifications
- General fabrication requiring round mild steel bar
For square bar to fit a keyway, see our keystock. If you need continuous thread rather than plain bar, our threaded rods range covers more materials and lengths.
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Zinc Plated Unthreaded Rod FAQs
Can I thread these myself?
Yes, with a die of the matching size. Chamfer the end so the die starts square, use cutting fluid, and back off regularly to clear chips. Note that threading removes the plating on the threaded section.
What steel grade is this?
General purpose mild steel bar, suitable for fabrication, pins, and non-critical shafts. It is not a specified alloy grade and will not through-harden, so for a wear surface or high strength requirement, specify an appropriate alloy.
How accurate is the diameter?
Commercial bar tolerance, which is looser than ground shafting. Fine for pins, spacers, and general work. For a bearing fit or a precision slide, use ground and polished shafting instead.
Will the cut ends rust?
Yes, in a damp environment, since cutting exposes bare steel. Paint, oil, or otherwise protect cut ends and machined surfaces if the finished part will see moisture.
Can I weld this material?
Mild steel welds normally, but remove the zinc plating from the weld area first. Heated zinc produces fumes that should not be inhaled, so grind the plating back and ventilate the work area.
Do you supply cut to length?
Stock is supplied in three foot lengths. If you need a quantity cut to a specific size, contact us with the details and we will advise on whether that can be arranged.