I would suggest trying to build one like 469 did in 2006 (picture
here). It would probably be easier to build and tweek. If you go to a Lowes or Home Depot you can buy some sprinkler hose, which comes in various widths and lengths and is made of a hard and somewhat flexible plastic. The best part is that it already comes rolled up, so you don't have to deform it much to make a helix.
We just bought 100 feet of 1/2" hose for $14. The hole role weighs only a couple of pounds! (Not like we're thinking of something similar...
)