[Douglas]

Pete Langly at PT Foundry, knows his stuff , but builds in way much "reserve of neglect" !

Don't forget to change your lower bobstay chainplate, too .

You can and should use either Silicon or Aluminum Nickle Brnz for your new chainplates.

I use Alaskan Copper and Brass, in Seattle for a source for this metal, but there are other sources, too.

There doesn't seem to be much tensil stregnth difference between 304 SS and these bronzes, check the numbers, your self.

I used carriage head bolts and made square holes, with out fear of cracks eminating at the corners,,,, but I did orient the square holes to drain moisture, not entrap it.

Bronze is user friendly much more than ss ,,,, and you can bend it much more easily than ss, too .

I use a Bosch variable speed electric jig saw to cut out my chainplates from flat stock, and to square out round holes.

Continue your reasearch until you are confident of your choices before you lay your money down .

Douglas