[Help Thread] Big Cube Discussion (5x5 / 6x6 / 7x7 / etc)

[PandaCuber]

This thread is made to talk about Big Cubes.(4x4-5x5-6x6-7x7-8x8-etc.)
There are threads for CFOP, Roux, and Petrus, so why not for Big Cubes?

Big Cubes are a much more difficult puzzle and more access to information will be greatly appreciated by everyone.

In this thread, you can ask for help, share ideas or tips and give out links to sites.

I have searched for a Thread like this, but I could not find anything suitable.

 

[Cool Frog]

K4!!!!!!!

http://snk.digibase.ca/k4/index.htm

and this

 

[Schmidt]

When I do CN solves on a 3x3x3 I choose the best cross during inspection(obv.) I have seen Feliks Z. do CN on 4x4x4. So, my Q is: When do you decide what cross you want to make?? Is it just the color that is on D when the last pair is made, or is there another way??

 

[MEn]

When solving massive cubes' centers, it's best to go from the outer layers to inner layers. Easier to find the pieces.

 

[Mollerz]

When I do CN solves on a 3x3x3 I choose the best cross during inspection(obv.) I have seen Feliks Z. do CN on 4x4x4. So, my Q is: When do you decide what cross you want to make?? Is it just the color that is on D when the last pair is made, or is there another way??

I don't fix on any cross until I'm onto my last 2 edges, I'll generally pick a cross whilst I'm doing this. Usually it's a cross with a couple of pieces already on it, or there may by chance be an easy XCross I see, or you can just see a couple of easy pairs ahead.

 

[PandaCuber]

Will you make a list guides posted in here? I will be making one or more.

You can do that

I did my first 5x5 timed solve. Got 5:36. Any good for first timed solve??

 

[5BLD]

For 4x4 I use multiple methods... Stadler, redux, not yau, K4, meyer...

 

[PandaCuber]

For 4x4 I use multiple methods... Stadler, redux, not yau, K4, meyer...

How good are you at stadler? Ive tried it, but i didnt seem to like it.

 

[5BLD]

Its nice, but admittedly im not as fast as with my 3 mains. However I still use it in averages as im so slow it barely makes a difference XD

 

[timelonade]

You can do that

I did my first 5x5 timed solve. Got 5:36. Any good for first timed solve??

I think so . Yay for 5 minute 5x5 solvers .

 

[TheMachanga]

When I do CN solves on a 3x3x3 I choose the best cross during inspection(obv.) I have seen Feliks Z. do CN on 4x4x4. So, my Q is: When do you decide what cross you want to make?? Is it just the color that is on D when the last pair is made, or is there another way??

I look for edges that are already connected to their center on one side, and can be put in place with one move. I look for this while doing the last edge pair usually, but sometimes immediately after. There's no advantage to being CN if you just always do D cross when the last pair is made. There's no point.

Basically, what I do, is start building a random cross, then see (while building it) if it's easier to continue with the current one, or switch to another one. Most of the time, I switch. Of course, if you see some edges already solved after edge paring, start with that cross.

 

[Pete the Geek]

8x8 Strategies and Algs

I've been doing 8x8 centres in strips. It seems OK, though I will try blocks at some point. What are your thoughts?

For algs I've had no trouble using all my 6x6 stuff by changing 3Lw to 4Lw, etc. Some algs, such as the single outer wing edge piece swap works just fine with no changes and can work on deeper layers if needed.

Finally, I have a nice adjacent edge swap for 4x4 but have had no luck making it work for bigger even cubes. It's not a big deal as I just swap opposite edges and then permutate, but I'd enjoy seeing your ideas.

 

[Robocopter87]

I recently got into 4x4, I'm going to be getting a cube that actually moves when I push it with a finger, but for now I'm stuck with Rubiks. Anywho, I'm averaging 3 minutes (When i said recently. I meant like a few days ago) and I would like to know around how fast each step should be taking me.

I'm not asking for specific times but what do you think a good intermediate average is for Centers, Edges, and 3x3 Solve?

Thanks

 

[MostEd]

http://snk.digibase.ca/k4/index.htm

and this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRhksevjN24


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZF-eWPI1V0&list=UUoR4xvhPs5ISVhU78mxrmsw&index=20&feature=plcp

Yes I know im just stating k4!

 

[JianhanC]

I recently got into 4x4, I'm going to be getting a cube that actually moves when I push it with a finger, but for now I'm stuck with Rubiks. Anywho, I'm averaging 3 minutes (When i said recently. I meant like a few days ago) and I would like to know around how fast each step should be taking me.

I'm not asking for specific times but what do you think a good intermediate average is for Centers, Edges, and 3x3 Solve?

Thanks

I'd say 15-40-20?

Btw, any mods to reduce center pops on 7x7? I shaved all my obliques on my 6x6 and it the popping rate is only reduced a bit. And, I find B16 sized stapler bullets great as pins for 6x6.

 

[qqwref]

I've been doing 8x8 centres in strips. It seems OK, though I will try blocks at some point. What are your thoughts?

If it means anything, I use strips for all really big bigcubes. So it's definitely a great strategy, although I can't be sure it's the best possible.


PS: For anyone having trouble with obliques, here's a handy chart I just made. Recognizing/memorizing these patterns is really useful for bigger cubes. Advanced people should already know this, but beginners might find it helpful.

 

[Kirjava]

However I still use it in averages as im so slow it barely makes a difference XD

You should pick a method and stick to it so you get faster.

I hear that cubes are good enough these days that you can do LSE fast, so redux might be a good choice.

 

[Jaycee]

I'd say 15-40-20?

1:15 is Intermediate? I'd say more like 1:45 xD

First off, Robocopter, what do you average on 3x3? I average just barely sub-20 and my 3x3 stage can take anywhere from 30 to 45 seconds depending on parities, lock-ups, overall bad solves and such. I think my reduction is really good for my average (~1:40), because I normally have reduction done at around 1:00.

 

[Riley]

For 6x6, does anybody, for centers, make a 2x2 piece, and then get the pieces on the ends for that 2x2 block, making a 2x4? And then just making 2 bars, connecting them to the 2x4 one at a time, like normal? That's what I do, but I'm slow right now. (5ish minutes)

 

[JianhanC]

For 6x6, does anybody, for centers, make a 2x2 piece, and then get the pieces on the ends for that 2x2 block, making a 2x4? And then just making 2 bars, connecting them to the 2x4 one at a time, like normal? That's what I do, but I'm slow right now. (5ish minutes)

Balint does that. But if there's an easy case, why not exploit it.