I've been busy so didn't get around to sifting through the photos.
Yes I did go to Roslin, and managed to have a reasonably good time . Alone
Unfortunately the chapel was under repairs so I didn't bother going in, I'll visit it later.
You can check the photos here.

Here it is...
Btw, no my real glasses, I went to see Ice Age in 3D. I was going for a mad scientist look here

The ball bearing came from the same place where the spring came from(shown in the last picture on the link you provided).

I'll take as much gear as I reasonably can

Do a small title and caption label to go with the picture. I find it much more interesting to know that the photograph means something or has a story in it.

I just received the grip.
It works fine, just like the original, all the buttons are there and working.
Of course you loose WR and build quality. It feels less well made and it fits on the K10D slightly less well than the original (not so flush?).
On the other hand it is slightly better in the hand it seems, theres a slight difference in the curvature of the hand grip area itself. Of course it still is very inadequate.

For £30 delivered I'm happy. Lets just see how long it'll last.

I'm in a bind... A rented car is too expensive for me. I have to see if I can convince some friends to come with me.

I would buy if I were buying the K-7, otherwise its too expensive.

A better description in the title would help prospective buyers.

Thats a usual problem with the SMC-A 50mm F1.7, dunno if its common with other versions (the F1.4 is certainly better built).
The reassembly is not complicated, but can be tricky to keep ball bearing in place, and if you have electric contacts, keep that spring in place as well.
The way I did it was to do it inside my light tent, because the spring did bounce off many times , try to take similar measures.
The ball bearing usually has a bit of grease so it can plugged into place and might hold. If it proves hard to do, use a bit of regular glue, a very tiny amount to keep it in place.
After placing everything in place, put the aperture ring only slightly in, to push the ball bearing in, after this push the opposite side of the ring in. At this point the two metal flaps (or whatever they are) will be stooping the ring form going in, use pencil or similar to push these in while forcing the ring in as well.
If while was done, the spring has not flown off, your home free. Also be aware that the button for the aperture ring might fall off.
I believe setting the aperture ring to the F1.7 position when assembling it was best.

Best of luck.