On the both challenges question, I would say no. My reasoning is based in large part on something mapache has touched on, as well as The Miller… skill set. For someone used to operating the machines, they’ve developed a skill set that is a serious advantage even when building with simpler tools. This can be intimidating for someone that hasn’t built a light before at all, and has limited tools and knowledge to work with. By not putting a rookie up against a lathe master, the rookie has a much better chance of “winning” (that’s in quotes because anyone that tries, wins, purely based on accomplishment)
When I built the .50 Browning Machine Gun light, I may very well not have even tried if going up against the likes of Hoop or MRsDNF. Having built that light though, the confidence one gains in the successful attempt is largely why I’m still here today. So for those out there that are straddling the fence, I strongly encourage you to saddle up, take the ride… you’ll be glad you did!
Each time I’ve been a part of it I’ve learned a lot of new things, mostly from figuring out how to overcome an unforeseen challenge or from watching others do the same. The “borrowed threads” Dale used in the .50 cal is a staple of my home made builds now but there are other ways to skin the cat as well if you just look around and notice how things are put together.
To save the looking up time, I cut brass pipe fittings to steal the threaded ends off of them, both male and female, to rejoin the .50 cal shell after cutting it to get the flashlight parts inside. I didn’t have a way to do threads, the shell case wasn’t thick enough to cut threads if I had the tools, so I soldered in/epoxied in these “borrowed” threads. I used epoxy on one so it would be locked out from ground, enabling a twisty action.
Necessity is the mother of invention. That’s the fun part. Getting the idea what you want to do, then finding the necessary bits and pieces to bring it to fruition. The big difference between thinking you can and knowing you can is this bit of priceless experience that gives confidence.
Compression fitting come in machine threaded instead of tapered pipe thread and lots of different sizes that work for 10440, 14500, and 18650. You can even get bits with knurling.
For what it's Worth, which is less than 2 centavos any more, I would keep the classes separate, because definitely anyone in the machine category has a big advantage over a lay person who has no knowledge. I think it would be unfair due to the skills a machine made person has, (or should have, you have to believe they do, even if they say they don't). Machine made people have the common sense, the basic skills, plus a whole set of advanced skills, even for hand tools. It is just not fair to the newbies who might or will not enter, due to the inequality of skill sets.
I will probably enter this year as well.
Last year it seemed that the most powerful builds were the most popular ones, so i have been thinking about if i should try building something with XHP70.
I haven’t been able to come up with any good ideas though, so i will probably try something else I’ve been thinking about for a while
The best builds seem to be the ones with the most personality invested in them so do what suits you. The only way you will be able to push past the difficult spots is if you really like the idea and want to see it finished and finished well.
