"Tim Wescott" wrote in message
...
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,
...

Unless you've ruled out aluminum tubes completely, try

http://www.texastowers.com/aluminum.htm

- Pretty good properties

- UPSable lengths.

- Cheaper than a lot of other stuff.

- Adjacent sizes in the list telescope too.

- If you insist on 6061, google for OnlineMetals.com

Hth,
Fred