<HTML>In a message dated 1/5/2003 7:36:53 AM Pacific Standard Time, RNossaman@cox.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> Those rails might very well last another 80 years with no problem. Or they might not. This is no different than deciding whether to replace that pinblock,or go with oversized pins - or lower the plate to get string bearing without worrying too much about soundboard crown, or keep the old wippens because they don't look that bad, or any other of the hundreds of decisions we make about what is likely to be adequate and what possibly may not be. Given the option, I'd prefer to replace the rails. Ron N </BLOCKQUOTE>              I agree with this assesment and by the way of the of the dozens of brass rails I've put back into service I can't recall one that came back later broken Usually its' the butt plates the breaking and I've replaced whole sets without suspecting the rails of a problem. Yes, I guess it's a slight risk to reuse them but it seems that in the pianos with heavy wear as you describe, and still none are broken it is entirely possible your throwing out perfectly good equipment. Not only that but check and see if the Mason And H guys made these rails thicker than the standard bill of fare.   Also how much physical force is really stressing these parts. I wonder if the fractures come by the original over tightening of the screws or subsequent tightening of field techs that fractures the brass. Like 20's agraffes turned in too tightly to get them seated.        When we take in these types of jobs I'll to thru and tighten each or see if they can be tightened with only moderate force. If they're weak something will break and usually, not always, its the plates Then a better assessment can be made.    If a set of butts can readily and perfectly be adapted to the original geometry it's an elementary to attach them and be done with it</HTML>