Hi Kevin,
I also wanted to welcome you to the forum.
Hopefully you don't feel like you hit too much "turbulence" in this thread.
I know nothing of avionics, but would be very interested in a picture of those seat rails.
I am always looking for different ways to accomplish things.
It sounds to me like your rollers are a big improvement over the factory parts.
No doubt they use plastic for low cost........and if they get to sell you a replacement set every few years then all the better.
I try to share my experience and also my time by not charging a fortune to do something for someone. I will not usually do anything that is over my head but have taken on some unique projects for people. Some want a part turned down for a faucet so they don't have to replace it, or to machining a knob for a experiential air scoop on aircraft. (early project years ago) I feel that too many people are worried about making money
I wholeheartedly agree with that!
I know some people here get their income from machining and I respect that, but for me it it strictly a hobby.
I may never know the process of quoting a job, and the limits of having to turn a job down.
However, it gives me the liberty to work for free or for favours and also to believe that "no job is too small".
Many times I do work literally for beer.
One thing I need to get better at is estimating the value of some things. Generally people that value the service/parts want to "pay" me for my time and materials. If the materials are "new" then setting a price is easy, however, often the materials are scrap from something else.
Anyway, enough philosophy, I need to get out and work on some automotive brakes........
Have fun!
-brino