The complete unit including struts weighs in at 13kg.
The strut ends were made on my lathe. The have a turned spigot that fits into end of the tube. They have a 6mm thread for attachment either end.
They are held into the tube ends by four 4mm grub screws.
I addapted the ideas from:
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1123
(thanks Ron B for pointing me to this article)
(the black paint does not look dodgey in real life)
see pics below.
Bruce