Aluminum / brass tubing

Craft and hardware stores typically have a metal tubing display...K S brand if memory serves.

Otherwise you're going to have to look online for a supplier. There is an advantage to the harder stainless steel tubing using in hypos...doesn't bend or distort as easy. Use a thin cutoff wheel on a rotary tool to cut to length and shape.

http://www.smallparts.com/b/700776011?searchRank=salesrank

Small Parts carries all sorts of tiny tubes.

I found an assortment of 50 blunt nose needles on ebay, got them for 5 bucks or so including shipping. They are perfect for all kinds of detail work on my models, from antannas to guns have even made brake lines from the finer ones. You might try there.