[Shivang1923]

If you don't have the materials for that way, you could always use all purpose steel from mcmaster carr. Our claw type thing only weighs 16 pounds, which is really a lot less than you'd think because the claw is made up of about 18 ft of steel.

We have contacts at TCNJ and they said that aluminum folds if it isn't bended properly (wont be a problem if you go with dave's idea), but if you're going to use it in a place where it will probably get hit a lot, the aluminum will get damaged. Also, it is expensive to buy an aluminum welder, so if you need to weld, you will be in for a huge problem. (Again, iff you can find one, then go ahead use aluminum, or if you don't NEED to weld, and you can bend it properly, go for it).

Just my thoughts and my experience.