Both Lowes and Home Depot have racks of 3' and 4' mild steel, mostly round but some square, 1/4" to 1/2" is about what my local ones carry. If you're just looking for quick/easy access you can grab some of that, at a cost of course. Or find a fellow local smith and hit up his/her scrap bucket. Or find a local metals shop and with permission hit up their scrap tub.
I'm sure someone on here with a whole lot more experience can give you a better answer, but when I order from my local steel supplier over in the next county I just send him an order that says, for instance, "1/4" mild steel round" or "1/2" mild steel square". They carry both hot roll and cold roll and I typically just order whichever happens to be cheaper (though the difference is usually very minimal). My limited experience is that these guys know what you want when you just say "mild steel." At least around here where I buy the steel there is quite the little community of blacksmiths in the area, so they're accustomed to such requests.
Also, don't worry because very soon you will inherit "The Eye" - the ability to be driving down the road and instantly hone in on a tiny piece of usable steel 1/2 buried in mud. It will call to you. I can't explain it, but you will start seeing steel everywhere.
Who is your steel supplier "in the next county". I'm in north Alabama and can't find a supplier with 1/4" square bar in full sticks.
Beginner steel stock
in Blacksmithing, General Discussion
Posted
Who is your steel supplier "in the next county". I'm in north Alabama and can't find a supplier with 1/4" square bar in full sticks.