The discussion centers on the difficulty of sourcing low carbon steel grades 1010, 1008, and 1002, specifically in dimensions like 5/16" rod and various rectangular shapes. Participants clarify that these grades are not corrosion-resistant and suggest that standard mill runs may not be available in the requested sizes. Online suppliers like McMaster-Carr and others are mentioned, but the original poster has found them unsuitable for their specific needs. Local machine shops are recommended for custom machining, although the poster has had limited success with them as well. The conversation highlights the challenges faced in obtaining specific low carbon steel dimensions for applications like electromagnets.