More design questions:
I need a stick-like thing, about 30 inches long, to go from a pivot point to a little electric motor. It needs to be moderately rigid, light and inexpensive in lots of 50 each or so. It would also be quite nice if it's moderately attractive -- mill finish aluminum without too many scuff marks is just fine for this. Prettier is better.
I'm thinking that thin-wall aluminum* tube of about 5/8" diameter will work well, and I'm getting ready to be shocked once again by how much things cost these days. While I'm waiting for quotes, I thought I'd solicit the group for suggestions.
Fiberglass? Carbon fiber? Phenolic? Other plastics? Titanium**? Extra thin-wall steel? Balsa wood comes to mind, but while it is low tech I suspect it'll cost more than aluminum. Cooked spaghetti is too limp, and uncooked is too brittle.
Anyone have suggestions? Do you have supplier names to go with your suggestions?
- Alloy isn't terribly important. Even dead soft would work, although harder would be better.
** OK, maybe it's more expensive than aluminum.