Here's my reply to that thread for those that can't be bothered to click through and read it.

I see absolutely no problem whatsoever in the amount of steel available through general play.

I have 1 character at 108 rep 5 and a few more characters at rep 1 or 2.

I've not had to buy any steel at all ,i feel no need whatsoever to use steel .

At rep 1 buy loot crates with steel until full blue. At rep 3 buy loot crates until full purple.

When you've got a piece of purple gear you like the look and stats of, level it up.

This has been my method and at no point have I needed extra steel that I haven't had.

It definitely helps though to complete the story on realistic and make sure you get all the collectibles, I got about 12 premium loot crates and a few thousand steel for doing that.

Honestly, I don't get why people are spending real money on steel, what are they using that steel for?