Cargo-
Agreed on the composite materials. I used some scrap honeycomb aluminum (from aviation interiors work) to build a 3.5 lb hang on stand. Probably not the ticket for a big guy, but fine for me. However as I get older I like the climber more and more.
I would think that the same lone wolf design could be made with a 18x24 platform (instead of 19.5 x 30), getting the weight down close to 10 or 11 lbs.
Tax is right about the grommet. Not something I use.