I’m cranking out a batch of specialized forming tools and trim dies in PM‑M4/10V, but bar stock and heat treat slots vanished overnight - quotes jumped from 1-2 weeks to 5-6. Are you sticking with PM or pivoting to D2/A2 or carbide‑tipped inserts to keep builds moving, and how’s the wear holding up?
Pivoting selectively: I’m running D2 with AlCrN on bodies/backup plates and using bolt‑in CPM‑M4/10V or carbide‑tipped inserts only at the wear edges to dodge the lead‑time hit. In 409/HSLA the D2+AlCrN gives about 60-70% of 10V life between touch‑ups, while carbide outlasts 10V but chips if alignment isn’t perfect, so I add a 0.005" micro‑chamfer and bump clearance +0.002". If heat‑treat is the choke point, pre‑hardened D2 for holders shaved about a week for us.
We got the same jump to 5–6 weeks, so we’ve been running A2 bodies at 58–60 Rc with bolt‑in CPM‑10V edges when available, otherwise brazed micrograin carbide. On HSLA trims it’s about 70–80% of full 10V life, but changeovers are quick and it keeps builds moving. If there’s any impact in the form station we ditch carbide for M4 to avoid chipping.