Rentlix
Member
I have developed and tested a modification for the Rubik's Brand 3x3x3, which I shall call the 24-Mod. Before you ask, the 24-Mod gets its name from the odd coincedence that it takes 2 parts of 12 edges, 3 parts of 8 corners, and 4 parts to 6 centers, to complete the mod. That means you have to change 24 edge faces, 24 corner sections, and 24 center formations. I thought that would make this mod the 24-Mod.
I have had success 6 times with this modification, which is used on a tight Rubik's brand cube. It does not have as good of results on a DIY cube, so I am not responsible for any DIYs ruined in the making. Also, a Dollar Store (or any other cheap cube) cube WILL be killed by this mod. I have not tried this mod on a different brand than what I've mentioned, so mod at your own risk if you choose to mod another brand. Now that I got that out of the way, its time to start modding! This mod is split into 3 steps, as there are 3 types of pieces on a 3x3x3: edges, corners, and centers.
Materials:
-(File)- (makes easier)
-Sandpaper (mandatory)
-Rubik's Brand Cube (Preferably tight)
Step 1: Edges
In this step, I highly recommend a file, though sandpaper may work too. Here's where you mod:
White is modified, red is not. You are not just removing plastic aimlessly. You are making the face marked with a red oval into a spherical shape. This way you can place pieces into a layer and see a full circle, not curved corners by straight edges. Do this to both sides of all 12 edges.
When you have finished, reassemble your cube and break it in for a a few days to a week, but do not lubricate. You will notice the cube is looser and can cut corners slightly. Start step 2.
Step 2: Corners
In the last step you were asked to make the layer and see a circle. It obviously wasn't a perfect circle. In this step, you make it a perfect circle.
Left is modified, right is not. Once again, you aren't just taking off plastic. You are making the "stalks" of the corners that grip into the edges round, not just 3 straight lines. This can be done by file or sand paper, just its faster by file. Be sure you get the 3 sections on all 8 corners.
This made corner-cutting extremely easy. But now you'll see the pieces have awkwardness in turning. That's what step 3 is for.
Step 3: Centers
Well, you can't really expect to change the shapes of just some pieces and not expect something awkward to arise. That's why you mod the last 6 pieces- the centers.
You will be using your sandpaper (NOT a file) to remove those bumps found where you can see the red mark in the image. DO NOT REMOVE ANY PLASTIC FROM THE CENTERS WHERE THE EDGE TOUCHES. If you remove any unnecesary plastic, your cube will be too loose. There are 4 bumps on each of the 6 edges.
Now that the modification is finished, you can go ahead and clean your cube very well. I prefer Thrawst's way, which involves putting the pieces into a strainer basin and sticking that into hard-boiling water. You can do whatever suits you, though, as long as you get all of the newly made dust out of the cube. Once clean, lubricate. Many cubers use Silicone Spray, but I prefer Jig-A-Loo. Be sure you use spray, not vaseline-based products, as the vaseline weakens the plastic.
Once cleaned and lubricated, assemble it for the full effect of the cube. If you like it enough, you can give it a Cubesmith finish of perfect stickers/tiles to your preferance. Please ask me if you have a question about the mod. Thank you for taking this mod into consideration! Only by using this mod do you come to believe this does make the cube far better than DIYs.
I have had success 6 times with this modification, which is used on a tight Rubik's brand cube. It does not have as good of results on a DIY cube, so I am not responsible for any DIYs ruined in the making. Also, a Dollar Store (or any other cheap cube) cube WILL be killed by this mod. I have not tried this mod on a different brand than what I've mentioned, so mod at your own risk if you choose to mod another brand. Now that I got that out of the way, its time to start modding! This mod is split into 3 steps, as there are 3 types of pieces on a 3x3x3: edges, corners, and centers.
Materials:
-(File)- (makes easier)
-Sandpaper (mandatory)
-Rubik's Brand Cube (Preferably tight)
Step 1: Edges
In this step, I highly recommend a file, though sandpaper may work too. Here's where you mod:
White is modified, red is not. You are not just removing plastic aimlessly. You are making the face marked with a red oval into a spherical shape. This way you can place pieces into a layer and see a full circle, not curved corners by straight edges. Do this to both sides of all 12 edges.
When you have finished, reassemble your cube and break it in for a a few days to a week, but do not lubricate. You will notice the cube is looser and can cut corners slightly. Start step 2.
Step 2: Corners
In the last step you were asked to make the layer and see a circle. It obviously wasn't a perfect circle. In this step, you make it a perfect circle.
Left is modified, right is not. Once again, you aren't just taking off plastic. You are making the "stalks" of the corners that grip into the edges round, not just 3 straight lines. This can be done by file or sand paper, just its faster by file. Be sure you get the 3 sections on all 8 corners.
This made corner-cutting extremely easy. But now you'll see the pieces have awkwardness in turning. That's what step 3 is for.
Step 3: Centers
Well, you can't really expect to change the shapes of just some pieces and not expect something awkward to arise. That's why you mod the last 6 pieces- the centers.
You will be using your sandpaper (NOT a file) to remove those bumps found where you can see the red mark in the image. DO NOT REMOVE ANY PLASTIC FROM THE CENTERS WHERE THE EDGE TOUCHES. If you remove any unnecesary plastic, your cube will be too loose. There are 4 bumps on each of the 6 edges.
Now that the modification is finished, you can go ahead and clean your cube very well. I prefer Thrawst's way, which involves putting the pieces into a strainer basin and sticking that into hard-boiling water. You can do whatever suits you, though, as long as you get all of the newly made dust out of the cube. Once clean, lubricate. Many cubers use Silicone Spray, but I prefer Jig-A-Loo. Be sure you use spray, not vaseline-based products, as the vaseline weakens the plastic.
Once cleaned and lubricated, assemble it for the full effect of the cube. If you like it enough, you can give it a Cubesmith finish of perfect stickers/tiles to your preferance. Please ask me if you have a question about the mod. Thank you for taking this mod into consideration! Only by using this mod do you come to believe this does make the cube far better than DIYs.