Brass Gears for Elevation Crank?

[aduncanson]

A seller on eBay is currently offering brass gears (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140441157877&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT) to replace the plastic ones used on the elevation crank for Omega and (he says) Beseler enlargers.

It seems to me that this might be a good idea, or it might not. If the brass gears wear the aluminum rack, then replacing the rack will probably be impossible. I find that brass and aluminum are close in hardness, but the hardness of aluminum in particular seems to have some variability. Does anybody have any experience or advice on this?

Thanks - Alan

[dsphotog]

I think brass would cause column wear .That's why the factory made 'em from plastic.
Unless the enlarger is in a school or rental lab the nylon gears last well.

[dsphotog]

OK I just returned from my darkroom......
I actually have some metal gears that look like the parts in question. I haven't used them because my nylon gears are still good.
The gears look like they would work on Beseler 23C & Omega D2. The track they ride on is aluminum.
The Beseler 45M however uses a much more fine tooth steel gear, running on a steel track.