On Mar 11, 10:35*am, Tim Wescott wrote:
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

How about a hardwood dowel? Easy to find in craft shops or
woodwork places, diameters 1/4" to 3/4", and with some effort
(sand smooth, wax, wrap with a string and friction-polish) you can
get nice surface appearance.

A length of bamboo could do, too, but unless you have a weedy patch
of the stuff in your backyard, it's gonna be hard to find a source
of short sticks.