Hi to Jason and grumpy,
grumpy, you are correct; the alloy gear is probably superior but no longer manufactured, but thanks to the steel gear, many Diplomats are still in service....and some have been for a considerable time period.
But the supply of the steel gear is not infinite....There will come a time when it's not available, as are many parts for the Diplomat series of machines.
This will mean the end of the line for many machines as viable restorations.
