New to cubing, any tips greatly appreciated

[villanio]

Had my bad cube for almost a week now (By bad I mean I ordered it from china off ebay for $3.77 =) and it started to squeak after the first day so i used vegetable oil. It helped a lot actually. ) . Have been able to get my solve times between 1:30-1:45 consistently. Here is what I use.

Starting white side

Cross:
R' U F 'U'

First layer corners:

R' D' R D

Middle layer:

Right: U R U' R' U' F' U F

Left: U' L' U L U F U' F'

Yellow cross:

Both of just the center dot.

(L upper left corner): F U R U' R' F'

(Line down the middle): F R U R' U' F'

Top layer:
Solid Yellow:
R U R' U R U U R'

Yellow Corners:

R' F R' B2 R F' R' B2 R2 U'

Yellow Edges:
Clockwise: F2 U L R' F2 L' R U F2
Counter-Clockwise: F2 U' L R' F2 L' R U' F2

Should I start with the F2L algorithms? Any tips greatly appreciated.
Would it be better for me to start F2L now so that I can get use to that and continue with my current methods of solving the last layer until i can learn OLL and PLL?

After looking around for a while I found out that I have a Type E (Diansheng no. 222).

[aznanimedude]

i don't personally see why you shouldn't start learning f2l
just play around and try to understand the pair+insert idea of f2l, it'll help you when you do start looking at algorithms for more complex cases to understand what exactly is happening

[Human hybrid87]

Ridos hunting story on youtube is always a good place to start imo.

[villanio]

ridos hunting story is quite interesting so far. thanks for that.

[fastcubesolver]

I think that you should play around with the cube for a little bit before learnng F2L algs. You will learn F2L tricks on your own, and that is the best way, I think, to approach the cube.

[villanio]

trying to get my flicking to be quicker. Perhaps i'll stick with it a little longer and least until I get more comfortable with my movements.

[aznanimedude]

just make sure that you don't prioritize moving faster over like say, accurate turning and good cube observation

[Schmidt]

Starting white side

Cross:
R' U F 'U'

First layer corners:

R' D' R D

Are you doing the first layer on the top of the cube? (the moves you described suggest that you do)
If you do, don't! Force yourself to do the cross on bottom. It will make the transition from LBL to F2L much easier.

[villanio]

Are you doing the first layer on the top of the cube? (the moves you described suggest that you do)
If you do, don't! Force yourself to do the cross on bottom. It will make the transition from LBL to F2L much easier.

yeah i do. make the cross on top and turn it over for the 2nd layer and last layer.

[Smiles]

try to get used to doing everything (including 1st layer) on the bottom. instead of R' D' R D, use R U R' U' when white is on the bottom.
i didn't get used to putting the cross on the bottom, and now i still sometimes have the cross on top or the side. don't make that mistake LOL.