Tools/Machines Used More Than Expected?

[Rex Walters]

I don't have a Noga to compare it to

That's interesting. I think it's the other way around for most of us.

It is somewhat telling that the Noga design has been knocked off more than the others. Pretty sure there is no plastic on any real Noga branded stuff, though (maybe tensioning washers).

I know Noga has some (probably unenforcable) patents, but I note that Manfrotto has made similar stuff for photography for a long time, too.

How does the flex-o-post hold up to oil and grease? That's been my issue with articulated lamp stands and the like -- they get floppy after spending time around my greasy hands in the shop.