Well, the best suggestion I could make for copying what's on the expensive setup (if you don't mind the cost) would be go to a metal shop that does fabrications and see if they can't put some 5/8" octagonal bars (maybe 3" lengths) on the lathe to make one end round for the size holes you're drilling, then thread the rounded ends and drill a hole through the entire length to run the cable through. You could slap a nut on the end after puting it through the canopy and crimp on a loop back at the end of the cable inside the fixture to keep the end from sliding through, and have a pretty clean looking connection when viewed from the topside of the fixture. No idea what it would cost, but the work involved shouldn't be too difficult at least. If I had access to me dad's metal lathe, and his tap and die set, I could prolly do it for you myself.
Another idea might be take a straight bolt, weld the cable to the head, and then cover the hole connection with black silicone and try to get it smooth and conical up the cable. Don't know if soldering would work, but it's a thought if you don't know anyone who welds.
Barring all that, just do the loop back and crimp one end of the cable, run the other end up through it, and let the housing hang clean. Dunno if you'd like the hole showing though. Some black silicone on the inside of the fixture would make it a LOT less vissible at least.
Another idea might be take a straight bolt, weld the cable to the head, and then cover the hole connection with black silicone and try to get it smooth and conical up the cable. Don't know if soldering would work, but it's a thought if you don't know anyone who welds.
Barring all that, just do the loop back and crimp one end of the cable, run the other end up through it, and let the housing hang clean. Dunno if you'd like the hole showing though. Some black silicone on the inside of the fixture would make it a LOT less vissible at least.
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