I was really considering using aluminum pipe, at least for the prototyping of my personal setup.. Only I don't have a welder that will do a great job with aluminum without blowing through. I really need to get a good Tig welder for my shop.

 

Same here, wish i had my own tig welder. My dad has a nice digital miller at home but as for the shop we just use mig welders daily. So no tig there. I have used a tig a few times but as for me making a quality pipe out of aluminum... I dont have enough pratice to make them. I can tig stainless pretty darn good tho. Just the cost of stainless and aluminum has went up soo much lately. Heck a lot of things have went up but i get 7'6" mild steel sticks for $10.... Thats the only reason why i would do mild steel and just get it powdercoated for roughly $15 to just about any color of choice. Who knoes what i may come up with. I should get the MAF translator soon. When i get it and some free time i will show you guys what i come up with.