Does this kind of pop ever happen to you?

[Ellis]

So, I'm started to get really annoyed with my type-a cube. 3 or 4 times in the last couple days I've had a really nasty pop where the screw from the center will come out, successfully blowing up an entire layer sending pieces flying. The center cap itself will even come off, which itself I don't understand.

I haven't been noting if its the same screw everytime, although its always the top layer whenever I'm holding the cube regular so I'd assume it is.

I thought at first the tension on that screw was just too loose, but this started after I tightened the cube because of too much regular poping. It doesn't feel too tight, so I really don't see how this would be caused by too much tension. The hole in the core doesn't seem to be striped, although I can't see inside very well.

I was thinking about maybe filling the hole with some sort of gluey liquid that will harden so I can make a new tighter hole, but I thought that might be kind of risky.

Has this happened to anyone before? Anyone have any suggestions before I do something stupid to my cube?


EDIT: We were able to determine that the problem is a slightly crooked screw that is rubbing up against the center cap causing it to unscrew itself. I think I've got sufficient information on how to fix it, I may do a follow up post stating my results. Thanks for the help everyone

[Garmon]

Maybe the washers aren't in correctly? If I were you I'd take it apart and reassemble, before doing any drastic modifications.

[Ellis]

Maybe the washers aren't in correctly? If I were you I'd take it apart and reassemble, before doing any drastic modifications.

I've got it going like this: little washer first, then spring, then big washer, then screw. Is that wrong? I still don't really see how the washers themselves would cause a pop like that

[deathbypapercutz]

I was thinking about maybe filling the hole with some sort of gluey liquid that will harden so I can make a new tighter hole, but I thought that might be kind of risky.

That's what she said :-P

Uhh, this hasn't happened to me, but I'd assume it's because the hole in the core into which your screw goes has gotten too big. I don't know about making the hole smaller, but that might work. If I were you, I'd just replace the core...

[TMOY]

My megaminx had the exact same problem, a screw which kept on unscrewing, causing lots of pops and even center pops. I fixed it by putting an object between the center cap and the screw to make it hold in place.

[hawkmp4]

The tension may be too loose, and the core is stripping (that happened to one of my friends) or it may be that the screw is unscrewing itself when you're cubing. I had that happen to me last night when I loosened my DIY to prepare it for OH. Give the screw a half turn and see how that affects it.

[Ellis]

The tension may be too loose, and the core is stripping (that happened to one of my friends) or it may be that the screw is unscrewing itself when you're cubing.

Well, I only started to experience this after I tightened it a fair amount. I wonder if, in the case that the screw is actually unscrewing itself, I should take out the washers and rub them a little with a paper tower that had silicone sprayed on it to lower the friction.

Edit: Hmm, I took of the center cap to examine the screw closely. I looks as though the screw is in slightly crooked, so the top washer is actually rubbing up a little against the plastic. I think that might be causing it to unscrew. I think im going to try a little experiment and position the screw exactly so that the notches in the screw are lined up with the edges on my cube and come back after a while of solving to see if the screw is moving.

[rjohnson_8ball]

Maybe the core is cracked, causing the screw not to hold. The cap might be flying off due to the spring loaded screw firing into the cap when the screw gives way.

[Ellis]

Maybe the core is cracked, causing the screw not to hold. The cap might be flying off due to the spring loaded screw firing into the cap when the screw gives way.

actually you're right, a spring loaded screw is the reason that the center cap is popping off. Although it's a relatively new cube, and I cant see any cracks anywhere so I'm going to rule out the cracked core scenario.

[Unknown.soul]

I think the core is stripped as well, one of my Type A cores was defective and I could pull one of the screws out when it looks like it's in all the way.