I did something similar, but I bought a 5ft stick of 1/2" galvanized steel conduit and used a hack saw to make two toggles approximately 4" long. Total cost of the whole stick of conduit was $1.99 (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Allied-Tu...1543/100400405).
It may be a good alternative to your already cheap design, Joe. Additionally, the conduit is obviously hollow so the weight could be less (I haven't compared weight of 1/2" aluminum rod to 1/2" steel conduit) and it's galvanized steel so your material strength is higher and it comes with corrosion resistance.
Bookmarks