they see themselves as problem solvers

I have one you'll find amusing. In (what was) the Iron Curtain countries Harley-Davidson WW2 leftovers are very valuable but extremely expensive to rebuild. "We need those small needle bearings for the transmission shafts, but $$$ and hard to find".
What to do?
They used short sections of wire coat hangars, cut to length, packed in heavy grease.

Quite a few years ago, when I had plenty of time and no $$$, I cobbled quite a few piles of old junk together.
They always ran surprisingly well and nothing ever failed.

Even on old junk, cleanliness and attention to details matter........ and it helps if you kinda know what you’re doing(which is about how it was back then....... I “kinda” knew what I was doing).

Somewhat related to the topic question: Anyone else seen their "traditional" iron adjustable rockers (e.g. Crane) leave noticeable wear patterns even on chromed aftermarket rocker shafts? The last set I ran (mid-to-late '90s) left grooves on the loaded areas of the shafts that matched the machining pattern inside of the rockers. I always thought having bushed iron/steel rockers would have been a better idea after seeing that.

I had the same problems with galling trying to use the Speed Pro Hi Po rocker shafts with ductile iron rockers Ended up only using either Iskys or RAS shafts, that cures those problems
I had to learn the same lesson on CAT aluminum roller rocker arm also, don't use the Speed Pro Hi Po shafts on them either

My Cranes are bushed by RAS and run on undersized shafts. Plus I run full time oiling, to the top, via the lifter galley.

No problems.

When the rocker grabs the shaft it's usually a volume/pressure issue. I don't like idle oil pressure less that about 45 pounds hot. It's also why I always use a HV pump. You get more oil there, sooner.

I've used both Isky and Crane on their recommended shafts without any unusual wear with both solid and hydraulic FT cams with moderate VS pressure.

I've used Isky and Crower (they use to have ductile iron rockers too) on "other" shafts. Not good.

I've measured the OD of the shafts from various manufacturers and found they vary .003" from smallest to largest. This may explain galling when switching them up.

These are Manicinis House brand iron adjustables. I know nothing about them. Probably made overseas to be able to have the low price.

https://www.manciniracing.com/maraenadroar.html