- Joined
- Feb 5, 2015
- Messages
- 662
Brass has a long history with precision machinery as well. It is not as long lasting but there is something to be said for having parts be sacrificial. Some of the plastics are used as well in many machines. The decisions that manufacturers make are based on more than just the "best" material. They also consider cost, longevity, production requirements, supply availability and more.
As far as always leaving things to the "experts", well we wouldn't have many hobbyists if we did that, would we?
Please note that I qualified my statement, limiting it to leaving experts to make selection of materials. I don't think making gibs sacrificial is a sensible idea, and gibs are the topic, right ? And regarding the decisions manufacturers make, you're agreeing with me
I also stand by the premise that brass is not a good bearing material. If it was, we'd see most gibs made from brass since it's way cheaper than cast iron nowadays and a LOT easier to work with (no abrasive particles getting into everything).