The first and often the last place to look for unusual goodies is McMaster-Carr on the web or (404) 346-7000. I have used then hundreds of times, and the best thing is, the stuff arrives the next day. You will have to buy a few items before they send you the 3500 page catalog(bible) they have. The catalog is often used for a reference base for pricing, if I think the price is too high, then off I go to a specific merchant to get the particulars. MMC hardly has a minimum, so even tiny orders are welcomed. Now-a-days it seems everybody wants to go high-tech with carbon fiber or whatever, but I recall that thousands of riggers have been built with plain old aluminum. In your case I would go the aluminum or solid something route which MMC has, or a source I use, Kilsby-Roberts that has lots of regional distributors. The number I have in an old catalog is (714)990-1555 or (213) 443-6085. They have hundreds of telescoping tube combinations with walls down to .010 thick Another source is Conklin Brass & Copper at 1-800-225-5510. These last two sources have minimums, and might have changed their numbers. I was buying in 500-1200 dollar lots, so the MMC might be the best for small amounts. MMC can cut the 10-12' tubes in half for UPS delivery. Good hunting!!
John in Huntsville
