Phew! That’s a relief. Thanks. 
Thanks _the_ and judges for your consideration and follow up. The confusion started when the "how a tool is used" concept was adopted. I'm guessing that is still the case since it doesn't seem to be specifically addressed. Obviously, Lancman didn't use guides in the example above, so it didn't seem to be any where near a grey area based on my understanding of RBD's interpretation of the rules.
It doesn't seem to matter though because it sounds like any Hand Made contestant that pushes the limits will just be reassigned to the Machine Category with out any negative repercussions. Is that why there has been no response to my request that my entry to be reclassified?
Sorry, didn't notice your request. :(
If anyone in Hand Made category goes to "too gray" area, judges will vote about re-classifying the entry.
If anyone wants to enjoy full freedom of choosing tools/machines, reassigning your own entry to Machine Made category is a good choice.
^ Thank you. I will now commence planning proper.
I was just looking back at O-L’s build thread for the prize light he built last year. I had to laugh inside, when I reached the end of his beamshots and saw this line:
Not to in any way put down that light (it is still awesome looking and I’d be proud to own one) but, if you’ve been watching his builds over the past year, you know how funny that line is. 
I'm not going to ask a 4th time to be reclassified to the machine category as it apparently is too difficult to cut and paste my name a few lines down. Instead of saying please, I will just say withdraw me from this "contest". I do not have the time or energy to put hundreds of hours and dollars in the name of this contest when a simple, reasonable, request made more than once can not be honored. I didn't introduce vague nuances into this contest, but I guess questioning them crossed an unspoken line.
I wish the best to the contestants! I'll continue to root for you as you are the real contributors and true spirit to this event due to the amount of time, money, sweat, and (sometimes) blood that you invest.
He probably just forgot, it happens sometimes. You could just go ahead and continue your build as if machine made. I’m sure it would get corrected sooner or later.
Has been happening a lot for me lately. 
..but this time I just didn't understand it correctly, I guess.
[quote=ImA4Wheelr]
^ Thank you. I will now commence planning proper.
[/quote]
^^ At this point I thought that you would be ok with "just be reassigned to the Machine Category with out any negative repercussions", but that was obviously a misunderstanding. I'm very sorry about that. Please accept my sincere apologies.
I'll do that right away, before I forget.
We would really love to see you joining / staying in the competition. But I also understand if you feel really bad about my misunderstanding, are not able to accept my apologies, and still want to be withdrawn. [In that unfortunate case, please repeat your request to be withdrawn.]
I appreciate your explanation and apology _the_ and, of course, accept them. I also appreciate your urging me to stay in the contest. I just don't have the energy to gin back up for it. So please withdraw me from this year's competition. You have a great group of competitors and prizes. So it will be a good and entertaining one. Best wishes on it.
Thank you for your kind words. I respect your decision and have now removed you from competition.
..but the competition is long - 67 days left - you can come back any time if you happen to regret your decision. :)
Hi Guys,
Here is my entry for the competition. Its showcasing the new Cree XHP-35, and a lot of hours of custom work.
Here goes for 3rd Annual BLF contest in hand made category.
We’ll see if I bit off more than I can chew? .
New updates to my entry here: 3rd Annual BLF Contest - DBSAR's "End Of The World Light" -UPDATES-5 /09/09/2015 (in the OP.)
more updates coming soon on the LED sections of this build, and updates on the Prize offer of the Steam Pipe light replica.
Just updated my build again, ( updates #4) here: > 3rd Annual BLF Contest - DBSAR's "End Of The World Light" -UPDATES-5 /09/09/2015
The enormous amount of work going into some of the builds is amazing but it’s also nice to see some of the simpler projects come out clean and sharp too.
Lost for words. I dont know how you think of how to do what your doing but well done. Is it the better half maybe? 
-New updates to the OP tonight of my nearly completed “Apocalypse Light”.
- including photos of the build running on various fuels, being used to charge the LED module and a cell phone, and the beam pattern of both parts of it running at the same time.
Here: 3rd Annual BLF Contest - DBSAR's "End Of The World Light" -UPDATES-5 /09/09/2015
I have added a pretty good bit to mine recently. I updated it twice today.
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/34954
What a nice switch right at the end. 
The head certainly breaks the mold on style. Nicely done.