The 9th BLF Old Lumens Challenge Is Closed and Winners Have Been Named

“never-never land of lousy backcountry cell service” MTNDon

That’s a good thing.


The sooner they introduce the prizes, the more people join

I’m not sure I can make it this year. I’ve accumulated parts for many builds but not sure I can swing the time investment.

Updated gchart's category.

We parked the trailer on the top of a canyon wall rather than down in the canyon. I am connected to a tower 30 miles away. Sort of. It is hovering around -112dBm, plus or minus 8 or 9.

Whew, that sounds like an adventure. I’m jealous!!

A bump… Sponsor and prize information has been updated. See top of post #1

Or just click this link The 9th BLF Old Lumens Challenge is Now closed! Sponsors and judges thread. Results are in!

Hey great! I will add you to the machine made category, with a note that it is tentative. If you decide to switch that can be done anytime. When you start a build thread I will link to it. I see you started a build thread.

I’m going to try: Scallywag’s 9th Annual Old Lumens Challenge - Modified Light Category

I’m in, modified light category.

Sign me up! xqwerty151x's Machine Made Class, 9th Annual BLF/OL contest

:+1:

Minor rules question: If I were to have a mold for something 3d-printed, and I used that to cast an item in resin or silicone, would that be considered outsourcing? I would be doing and documenting the casting process, but I’d be having my friend print the mold. It’s not the only method I have to accomplish this step, but I think it would be the best and easiest. If the rules are an issue I’ll try another method.

As Isee it, mold is more like a tool than part of the light so IMHO there is no issue using a bought/ordered mold but let's hear the judges opinion

Everydaysurvivalgear and I have exchanged thoughts on this.

We believe that it is okay to use a tool or to incorporate an object (parts) in a challenge entry as long as that item is a stock item, not custom-made by someone else special for you.

For example, in some of his projects, Old Lumens himself used copper discs which he bought from Bopper Metal Supply. I have used some copper discs from them after Justin suggested them as a good source. Many different sizes and thicknesses are available. However, it would be wrong to have anyone else cut some discs from a copper bar or sheet for me as a special service. Does that make sense?

Makes sense and fair enough. I’ll figure out another way to do what I want, which is to insulate the top end of my cell carrier. Thanks for the ruling

Also, we are just over halfway through the contest!

I have just brought a shed or house depending on how you look at it on a 1000m² block. Plenty of room for a workshop including a forge. I get keys next week so I may still have time for a simple build.

Updated the list of entrants

I think I have everyone listed and a link to their project topic. Not everyone has sent me a PM so if I have missed posting someone’s entry please PM me. There are many days I don’t peruse all the new posts

Is the rubber boot for the tail switch of a light allowed to be used or does that not fit the criteria of allowable manifactured parts for the hand made category?

Interesting question.
Over the past 5 or so years that I have watched and participated in the O-L challenge, I do not recall a switch boot question coming up. Many of the past challenge winners (those entries that got to select a prize) used flashlight switch boots for their switches. To my knowledge, nothing was said to any of those enrants. I have used switch boots in several of my prior year entries with nothing being mentioned to me. I have never been a judge so I have no idea if any past judges discussed the use of a switch boot.

I have sent a PM to my cohort, everydaysurvivalgear, to see what he and the judges think on this.