Are 4x4 inner pieces pointless?

[Spencer131]

Why can't the 3 little inner pieaces just be combined into one piece? It makes 4x4 assembly a huge inconvenience, and if they don't have a practical purpose...

Then the only logical conclusion is that speedcube companies hate us!

 

[guysensei1]

They do have a purpose. Thats why they arent stuck together.

 

[Dom]

Why can't the 3 little inner pieaces just be combined into one piece? It makes 4x4 assembly a huge inconvenience, and if they don't have a practical purpose...

Then the only logical conclusion is that speedcube companies hate us!

If you don't believe @guysensei1 then glue those pieces together with super glue and post a video of you doing a "solve" with it :rolleyes:

 

[Dash Lambda]

The 4x4 mechanism is actually identical to that of a 5x5, just with the middle layers hidden and some alignment nubs to compensate. That's the only way we've found to make good even-order cubes, is to have a mechanism of the next higher odd-order inside. The Rubik's Revenge uses a spherical core with tracks that the pieces sit in, and it's probably the worst 4x4 ever produced.
If you glued the inner pieces together, you would effectively make the inner mechanism a 3x3, and so the 4x4 would only be able to move as a 2x2.

 

[YouCubing]

if they were stuck together it would be a 2x2 essentially

 

[tx789]

There is a point, other wise why would it be that way.

You don't understand the mechcanism. A 4x4 is a 5x5 with a hidden layer.

 

[Spencer131]

The 4x4 mechanism is actually identical to that of a 5x5, just with the middle layers hidden and some alignment nubs to compensate. That's the only way we've found to make good even-order cubes, is to have a mechanism of the next higher odd-order inside. The Rubik's Revenge uses a spherical core with tracks that the pieces sit in, and it's probably the worst 4x4 ever produced.
If you glued the inner pieces together, you would effectively make the inner mechanism a 3x3, and so the 4x4 would only be able to move as a 2x2.

Thank you for actually explaining why instead of just saying that there is a reason. No hate on guysensei though

 

[Sion]

I know how the 4x4 works, but those extra two small pieces I still don't get.I know they are there to make the 4x4 function the way it does. What I understand if they were bandaged, it would only work as a 2x2. However, if they were simply removed, I don't get what adverse effects it'd have. potentially much more unstable?

 

[Dash Lambda]

I know how the 4x4 works, but those extra two small pieces I still don't get.I know they are there to make the 4x4 function the way it does. What I understand if they were bandaged, it would only work as a 2x2. However, if they were simply removed, I don't get what adverse effects it'd have. potentially much more unstable?

"Much more unstable" would be an understatement.
Removing those pieces would remove a major structural component, and it would allow all the pieces that rest on them to move in ways they shouldn't, making it lock up and pop constantly.
Try taking the corresponding pieces out of a 5x5.

 

[One Wheel]

Rather than starting a new thread, and since I can apparently search for "Rubik's" but not "Rubik's 4x4," I'll ask what is probably a dumb question here. I got a Rubik's brand 4x4 in pieces, and the previous owner said he thought the core was broken. On a whim I reassembled it, but there is a piece left over that I think must be the alignment mechanism. Does it maybe glue to the core? Here's a picture:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxhjd6HVoV6kLW0wUTN3Q2N0eGs