That light stand base acidjack linked, and in my photos above is stable, low, wide, and heavy (the legs are steel). It a bit over-heavy for my preference, but folds pretty compactly. It might be appropriate for what you describe because you can put the appropriate diameter of stock tubing directly into it without any kind of threaded connection. I didn't make that stainless LD vert bar with the intention of using it in combination with that base, it has a 3/8" nut welded to the bottom and a threaded stud at the top, for connection to a normal stand. The stainless tubing I made it from just happened to fit into the base's socket perfectly and the set-screw knob simple clamps it in place.