bloke wrote:Two very commonly-utilized thread sizes on modern German-manufactured tubas are M3 x .5 and M4 x .7
Those are the common thread sizes among metric threads, and are not musical instrument specific. If you go to a well-stocked hardware store and find regular M3 or M4 nuts, they will be M3x.5 and M4x.7. Another local source may be a car parts store or motorcycle dealer (not Harley though!), as European and Japanese cars are metric. M3 may be a little small for car parts though.
Once you know the thread, if you need unusual fasteners (like acorn nuts, thumb nuts, brass nuts ...), there are a few good internet and specialty sources. If you can find a Fastenal store nearby, they tend to have pretty good stock, and can order things. Their web site shows that they have two locations in Saskatoon. On the interwebs, good sources include McMaster, and AmazonSupply (the former Small Parts, Inc.).
Obviously, getting the "real thing" from Meinl/B&S/Buffet is better, but these source might get you something temporary much faster.
