I picked up some straws last night and tried the straw bushing idea. The ones that I used were not the same as what you describe. They are about 10 inches long. Long enough that one straw will work for two handles with about half an inch left over. But they are clear or sort of translucent. They will fit over the rods without splitting the straw.I split one side and just slid them into one set of handles. I did not glue them, but they stayed in place while I did about 150 strokes on each side. The staw pieces stayed pu and the play certainly is reduced. I decided to try it like this for awhile. One concern that kept me from gluing the straws in place was that eventually they may well wear out. At which point it would be a PIA to remove them.
Anyway, thanks for the good idea. I ordered some new arms with the modded pivots. Between them (once I get them) and the straws, it will be interesting to see how much more precision I can wring out of the system.
Phil
