Jakeru/Paul-
Thanks for the tips. I did get the copper wire to be straight (guy at the hardware store was a little irritated) 5” anyway and it lays right inside of the tubing. I looked at copper tubing and it was a lot more money than the wire, but if the tubing would be better then I will spend the extra money. I did not realize that I can also use aluminum, which I might use since I think I have some ½” aluminum round bar. I am planning on tack welding the ends and center then welding the rest about a half inch at a time to minimize/eliminate warping.

JP-
I am making stands for my pig roaster.

Dyethor-
What do you mean passivate the stainless?

Geezer-
I used my vise to get the tubing back to round, and I only removed about .125”. I was surprised how well it worked. What do you mean by bushes?

Redbeard-
I like your idea but I am going to use pull-pins (detent) to raise/lower the spit up and down equally.