Should competitors be allowed to use tools such as superglue, screwdrivers, or paperclips to repair defects during a solve? Not to assist in solving the puzzle, but to repair a defect (out-of-place magic string, 2x2 internal pop, etc). A5b) prohibits this while solving, but is repairing a defect considered part of the solving process? We should be more explicit about what is allowed when repairing a defect. Conflicting precedents exist for this: At Dayton 2010, a competitor was not allowed to use a screwdriver in case of an internal 2x2 pop. At US Nationals 2010, word of mouth claims that a competitor was allowed to use superglue to repair a 7x7 defect.

We use a format that averages your defects and other bad luck out. That should be enough. So I say no. If we allow tools then we also should decide if tools are allowed at the table before the solve or if tools can be brought by a 3rd person. It's just a mess and if a competitor is serious he should use a puzzle that isn't known to brake during a solve.

At Wisconsin 2008, a competitor wanted to lube his cube during inspection. I allowed it, but told him he couldn't do turns during inspection. And this was back when CRC was the dominate lube.

We should also disallow lubing during inspection then. Lube can be spilled on the mat or when using a spray it could disturb other competitors near by. Perhaps just add the catch all "no contact with other objects" during inspection?

Personally I do not see any reason to allow any sort of assistance for anything once the cube has gone up for scrambling. If your cube is not prepared properly or is prone to screwing up during a solve that is the problem the cube owner has to deal with. As mentioned above, if the cuber is serious then they should be aware of the risks involved with any particular cube.

Totally agree with the last 2 posts. Everyone should properly take care of his cube. It's also a matter of respect shown to the scramblers and judges not to give them a crappy, unstickered, extralubed, etc. etc. puzzle.