A while ago I spoke with you here about using a flux compressor for quarter shrinking. Now, I finallly I have the time and money to try to build one myself, albeit for another application. Unfortunately I'm still balking at paying ~$300 for a 12" long 4" round of copper. Currently I'm planning on using aluminum instead. I have had another idea, however. I've found some sources that say up to 1/8" of copper may be plated onto a part, in a "few hours". Assuming this is true, and also I'm thinking aluminum isn't viable for plating, would there be a large penalty for using steel? The way I see it there shouldn't be since by the nature of operation of the device the magnetic field, where the steel would be, should be minimized.

Thanks