[cdog4w]

I could probably do it with pliers now (since the middle doesn't need to be threaded, its no biggie if I squish the threads). Tho unless I'm missing something, if you twisted the rod with pliers, wouldn't you loosen (lengthening) one side while tightening (shortening) the other side, resulting in no net change of length between ball links?

What is styrene tubing? Sounds like a rubber type of material?

Oh, NM, I see what you're getting at. Had to re-read it :P Great idea.

I have one more of those plastic bits I shaved off the ball link attachments, so I can try using that in the middle.