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Where to buy metal Miniball links?
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 10:44 am
by willthetubaguy
Looking to do a linkage rebuild on my F tuba. Anyone know where I can get metal Miniball style links without paying a crazy amount for Uniball?
Re: Where to buy metal Miniball links?
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 3:07 pm
by marccromme
Re: Where to buy metal Miniball links?
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2020 8:10 pm
by roweenie
At the risk of asking a stupid question (too late, I've already been there many times), could someone supply a link to the manufacturer? I'm not able to locate it.......

Re: Where to buy metal Miniball links?
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2020 5:11 pm
by roweenie
Many thanks for that link, elephant.
However, it's kinda confusing (especially considering I've been a life-long piston horn player). Which ones do you recommend for tubas?
Re: Where to buy metal Miniball links?
Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:13 am
by roweenie
Bloke, IIRC, you had mentioned once, something about "lapping in" Dubro links - could you explain?
For reliability and price, they can't be beat (the ones I usually use are the simple ball and socket type - the socket just snaps onto the ball) - however, I find they can be pretty finicky if they're not lined up perfectly. I'll sometimes put one (or two) #60 "o" rings over the ball - that helps them stay in their proper place (somewhat), but can restrict their movement (somewhat).
I should add that my experience is limited to thumb-activated 5th valve setups, so they aren't always as straightforward as regular rotary valve configurations. I thought that the minibal type might be "smoother" in operation.
Mark, are you talking about the kind that has a small metal ball in the center of the arm? I've never had any success with those - they always seem too "stiff" for me.
Re: Where to buy metal Miniball links?
Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:04 pm
by WessCollette
Coming from a RC Helicopter hobby, I have this for sizing links.
https://helilids.com/products/synergy-b ... izing-tool" target="_blank
I have been thinking about replacing my linkage on my Mack Brass TU410 with helicopter parts. I need to do some measuring to figure out what size balls and links I need