Blulu 8 Pack Double Ended Conical Coupler with Clips Pin Truss Clamp DJ Stage Lighting Truss Pipe Connector Trusses Parts Stage Lighting Accessories Fit F34 F33 Pipe 50mm

Why I grabbed this set

I needed a no-drama way to bridge multiple 50 mm truss sections for a small stage build—clean spans, quick assembly, and predictable alignment. The Blulu conical couplers promised exactly that: a straightforward, eight-pack kit with tapered pins and R-clips designed for F34/F33 systems. I put them into rotation across a few load-ins and a week-long install to see how they hold up against the usual suspects.

Build and finish

These couplers are made from galvanized iron with a uniform zinc finish. Out of the box, the surfaces were smooth and free of burrs, with cleanly drilled pin holes and consistent taper geometry. The galvanization is practical rather than pretty: it resists scratches and fingerprints well enough and shrugs off a bit of moisture. After a couple of outdoor days and an overnight in a damp truck, I saw no early rust bloom—always a good sign for a budget-friendly coupler.

Notably, each coupler is double-ended—so one piece bridges two opposing chord ends—and the set includes tapered shear pins with R-clips. The pins seated squarely, and the R-clips snapped home without deforming. I’ve bent my share of R-clips from softer alloys; these had a reassuring spring with no immediate fatigue.

Weight-wise, these feel a touch lighter than some OEM conical sets I use on premium truss. That’s not a deal-breaker; if anything, it sped up repetitive handling. Still, it’s a reminder that not all couplers are identical—more on that in the performance notes.

Installation experience

If you’ve worked with conical systems, there are no surprises here:

• Insert the coupler taper into the end of a 50 mm chord until it seats.
  
• Align the cross-hole.
  
• Drive in the tapered pin (hand pressure or a gentle mallet tap).
  
• Lock it with the R-clip.

Hole alignment was reliable across the eight couplers. I didn’t have to fight for pins—no egg-shaped holes or misdrilled tapers. On a 3-bay F34 span, chords lined up cleanly without “walking” the sections to make holes match.

Two small tips from use:
- Keep a soft mallet handy. Even well-seated tapers can benefit from a light tap to ensure a fully engaged pin, especially when the truss has minor end dings.
- Orient your couplers consistently on a run (R-clips all facing the same side). It speeds visual checks and keeps lanyards tidy if you use them.

Fit and compatibility

These are built for 50 mm OD systems and slid into both my F34 and F33 ends with the snug, hand-fit feel you want. I tried them with straight sections and a few corner blocks; no tolerance clashes, no proud tapers keeping faces from closing. Pin diameter and taper length are squarely in the “standard” range you expect for this format.

As with any generic hardware, verify against your truss brand’s documentation if you’re mixing components. The physical fit was fine in my use, but load paths and manufacturer liability are separate issues.

Performance under real loads

Across three scenarios—lighting-only spans, a small LED wall support, and a trade show booth—these couplers stayed tight and quiet. I checked for play at the joints after focus, after show, and after a day of foot traffic and vibration; there was no visible fretting and no extra mallet persuasion required to release pins.

A few observations:
- Vibration resistance: The R-clips maintained tension. No rattling pins.

- Seating: The tapers bedded in evenly and didn’t “settle” mid-show (a common source of creaks).

- Release: Even after compression loads, the pins broke free with a pull and a light tap—no stuck hardware.

Because these couplers are unbranded in the sense of load certification documentation, I treated them conservatively. For structural demands, always defer to your truss manufacturer’s guidance on compatible conical hardware and allowable loads. In my lighting and scenic use, they were solid.

Durability and maintenance

The galvanized finish handled abrasion from repeated builds without ugly flaking. After a week-long indoor install, I saw light polishing on the taper areas—normal for any conical system—but no galling. If you’re parking an installation long-term in a humid environment, a thin wax or dry-film on the taper (not the pin shaft) helps minimize galvanic activity between steel and aluminum without attracting dust like oil would.

R-clip holes stayed round after multiple cycles, and the pins kept their tips without mushrooming. Toss a few spare R-clips into your kit anyway; it’s never the wrong move.

What could be better

• Documentation: I’d love to see a simple sheet calling out material grade, taper dimensions, and any applicable load/compatibility notes. The hardware is clearly functional, but documentation builds confidence—especially when mixing with brand-name truss in professional settings.
• Packaging: The set arrives as a bulk kit. It works, but these benefit from a small organizer or pouch so you don’t lose R-clips in a road case. I repurposed a divider box to keep couplers, pins, and clips accounted for.
• Weight/feel variance vs OEM: These are a bit lighter than some premium couplers. They performed well for me, but if you’re used to the heft of higher-end kits, you’ll notice the difference in hand.

Who they’re for

• Event pros and venues that need a dependable, cost-effective stock of conical couplers for 50 mm truss.
  
• DJs and small production teams building out portable F34/F33 rigs.
  
• Trade show and retail installers who prioritize quick, repeatable assembly over brand-matched components.

If you’re engineering heavy loads or operating under strict spec compliance, confirm that generic couplers meet your project requirements—or stick to the truss manufacturer’s hardware for a single-source paper trail.

Practical tips from use

• Inventory on arrival. Make sure you’ve got all couplers, pins, and R-clips before the build. Bag spares and label counts per run.
  
• Standardize orientation. R-clip direction consistent across the grid speeds visual checks.
  
• Protect against long-term corrosion. For outdoor or humid installs, a light dry-film on the tapers and a periodic wipe-down preserves the mating surfaces.
  
• Don’t overdrive pins. If a pin resists, reseat the taper rather than hammering harder; forcing it can oval the hole over time.
  
• Use safety lanyards on pins where personnel are beneath the work. R-clips are secure, but redundancy is cheap insurance.

Value

An eight-pack gives you enough hardware to connect multiple sections in a typical two-bay or three-bay run without scrambling. Given the price point relative to OEM couplers, the value proposition is strong for builds where certified branding isn’t a contractual requirement. The included pins and R-clips mean you’re not hunting for missing bits five minutes before doors.

Final take

The Blulu conical couplers are a straightforward, reliable way to join 50 mm truss without fuss. They align cleanly, hold tight under typical production loads, and resist the sort of wear that makes teardown miserable. While I’d like more formal documentation and slightly better packaging, the core hardware did exactly what I asked of it across several builds.

Recommendation: I recommend these couplers for everyday F34/F33 work where you need dependable connections and good value. They’re a practical addition to a shop’s inventory or a touring B-rig, provided you verify compatibility with your truss system and stay within appropriate load cases. If your project demands brand-matched certification and paperwork, stick to the truss manufacturer’s own couplers; otherwise, this set delivers solid performance at a sensible price.