Breakdown of my solve. Advice?

[FMcA]

Hi, ive been cubing for about a week and my average is around 1:30 minutes. I first learnt the beginners method and im now familiar with the F2L fridrich method but thats about the extent of my knownledge as ive only been cubing at all for such a short time. Im focusing on getting sub 1 minute times and eventually sub 30.

Cross (average of 10) = 00:11.20
F2L Fridrich (exculding cross) (average of 10) = 00:37.76
Last layer beginners method (average of 10) = 00:27.48
Entire cube (average of 10) = 01:20.79 (i think ive got better since i posted my intro yesterday because i was consistantly getting below 1:30)

Ok so firstly im not sure about the method im using; and i know it wont do if im trying to get really fast times. I was trying to get to grips with the entire fridrich method but it seems like that might not be my best option, especially since i havnt looked into any others; what would you guys recomend? Links to tutorials would be helpful.

Secondly id like some some advice on what cube might help make me quicker. at the moment im using a rubik's brand that i bought from a toy shop and its not great at all. i was looking into it and my first impression was to buy and old type (a) but since im so new to cubing id really like a more experienced opinion. Again, links would help out alot.

Ok so finally i want to know about lubrication. I lubed the cube that i have now with vaseline but ive heard mixed opinions on the subject so if im buying a cube that i want to last then what should i go for? thanks in advance.

 

[amostay2004]

At this speed all you gotta do is practice and don't care about learning new stuffs..just play a lot and you'll progress very quickly.

I guess an old type A would be a good cube...though i'm a fan of the type A 3rd model =) but the old type A's a decent cube so you won't go too wrong getting that.

Maybe it's because of the vaseline that your rubik's storebought is not working good. Wash away all the vaseline and use silicone spray instead...they say vaseline eats the plastic in time, though i've not tried it myself.

 

[FMcA]

Thanks for the advice but should i buy a special, puzzle specific silicone or will any sort do?

 

[amostay2004]

I don't think there's a puzzle specific silicone..but most people use CRC Heavy Duty Silicone including me...so get your hands on one if it's available..

or else any silicone spray should work okay...

 

[MistArts]

Keep on practicing. At this speed, use a metronome and try starting at 60bpm and increase it every time.

 

[FMcA]

Ok great, thanks for the advice. Thats a good idea mistarts ill give it a go.

 

[pjk]

For lubrication, check out the hardware forum, lots of good info there. Silicone spray works great, specifically the CRC Heavy duty kind.

Cross (average of 10) = 00:11.20

Are you planning it out in your head before you make any move? Are you keeping the cross at 8 moves or less? If not, practice that.

F2L Fridrich (exculding cross) (average of 10) = 00:37.76

Simply practice look-ahead and make the best of situations. If you are spending too many moves to solve a CE pair, look up a better way to do it.

Last layer beginners method (average of 10) = 00:27.48

Since you are using beginners LL, you are most likely using only a couple algorithms. I'd suggest getting really quick with those algorithms, since you will do them so often. Getting then down sub-15 to sub-10 shouldn't be too hard. Try learning a new permutation each day, and then work on OLL after you get them all. Pick algorithms that work for you, not necessarily what people suggest. You can find a list of PLL's here.

Good luck.
Entire cube (average of 10) = 01:20.79

 

[xchiltonx]

Hey nice work there PJK... I'd like to expand on the hardware...lubrication...



IMHO for lubing:
here everyone will say "SILICONE SPRAY", "SILICONE SPRAY"..., but TBH that is only good for speedcubes! And you have a crappy standard rubik's cube, right!

Your normal standard Rubik's cube has flat, not shaped centers, giving it an un-smooth turn (e.g. when turning gently it will stop at 1/3rd and 2/3rds due to the gap the flat center piece creates). Then you need a different lubricate that is thicker to withstand the extra pressure applied at points when the cubies interact. Eventhough they say that Vaseline is "supposed" to eat at your cube , I'd like to see some evidence, my 28 year old cube shows no worse for ware!

Vaseline is the best option for your type of cube. I have used grease (yep it's black/green gunky stuff) for my standard (non-speed) Rubik's cube. I don't know which of the two is etter :rolleyes:, sorry.

Grease or vaseline is FAR BETTER for your standard crappy and non-speed cube due to the fact that it does not run smooth so you need something thick/viscose to help it run smoothly.

Once you have a specialised Speed cube (e.g. a DIY from cube4you), then, and only then, I'd advise you to switch to silicone (without a question!).
Only the proper speed cubes are for silicone! .... Mark my words!!!




Finally...
THERE IS A THIRD OPTION!!!
Superlubricity ... Graphite (in a spray), my older brother told me a bit about this... it was what they 'used to talk about'... I don't know if it's still available (nor the price...), I guess that that, is a discussion for another thread...

 

[ShadenSmith]

Hey nice work there PJK... I'd like to expand on the hardware...lubrication...



IMHO for lubing:
here everyone will say "SILICONE SPRAY", "SILICONE SPRAY"..., but TBH that is only good for speedcubes! And you have a crappy standard rubik's cube, right!

Your normal standard Rubik's cube has flat, not shaped centers, giving it an un-smooth turn (e.g. when turning gently it will stop at 1/3rd and 2/3rds due to the gap the flat center piece creates). Then you need a different lubricate that is thicker to withstand the extra pressure applied at points when the cubies interact. Eventhough they say that Vaseline is "supposed" to eat at your cube , I'd like to see some evidence, my 28 year old cube shows no worse for ware!

Vaseline is the best option for your type of cube. I have used grease (yep it's black/green gunky stuff) for my standard (non-speed) Rubik's cube. I don't know which of the two is etter :rolleyes:, sorry.

Grease or vaseline is FAR BETTER for your standard crappy and non-speed cube due to the fact that it does not run smooth so you need something thick/viscose to help it run smoothly.

Once you have a specialised Speed cube (e.g. a DIY from cube4you), then, and only then, I'd advise you to switch to silicone (without a question!).
Only the proper speed cubes are for silicone! .... Mark my words!!!




Finally...
THERE IS A THIRD OPTION!!!
Superlubricity ... Graphite (in a spray), my older brother told me a bit about this... it was what they 'used to talk about'... I don't know if it's still available (nor the price...), I guess that that, is a discussion for another thread...

My regular store-bought cube has arched centers. All of them should have them unless you bought them a long time ago, in that case I wouldn't recommend cubing with it anyway.

If you bought a modern store-bought Rubik's Brand (which you most likely did) Heavy Duty CRC silicone is the way to go.

 

[moogra]

Try improving the cross and f2l. Last layer is probably the easiest to improve though. Use finger tricks

 

[xchiltonx]

My regular store-bought cube has arched centers. All of them should have them unless you bought them a long time ago, in that case I wouldn't recommend cubing with it anyway.

If you bought a modern store-bought Rubik's Brand (which you most likely did) Heavy Duty CRC silicone is the way to go.

My 5 year old cube has flat undersides center pieces. In this case because of how Silicone works, by putting a dry thin film to lubricate, it does'nt help that much because the surfaces traveled by each cubie is a non regular pressure path. So if any cube (like mine has) is uneven inside then a thicker lubricant is needed.
No matter how heavy duty CRC silicone is (unless they have a gloopy version) it won't work for this type of cube!
Of course you just need to open it to see if it has the arched inner centers, and if it does then of course "SILICONE SPRAY", "SILICONE SPRAY"

 

[DavidWoner]

5 years ago is still a long time. I think after the 25th anniversary came out, all cubes after that had arched centers.

 

[Scigatt]

Hey nice work there PJK... I'd like to expand on the hardware...lubrication...



IMHO for lubing:
here everyone will say "SILICONE SPRAY", "SILICONE SPRAY"..., but TBH that is only good for speedcubes! And you have a crappy standard rubik's cube, right!

Your normal standard Rubik's cube has flat, not shaped centers, giving it an un-smooth turn (e.g. when turning gently it will stop at 1/3rd and 2/3rds due to the gap the flat center piece creates). Then you need a different lubricate that is thicker to withstand the extra pressure applied at points when the cubies interact. Eventhough they say that Vaseline is "supposed" to eat at your cube , I'd like to see some evidence, my 28 year old cube shows no worse for ware!

Vaseline is the best option for your type of cube. I have used grease (yep it's black/green gunky stuff) for my standard (non-speed) Rubik's cube. I don't know which of the two is etter :rolleyes:, sorry.

Grease or vaseline is FAR BETTER for your standard crappy and non-speed cube due to the fact that it does not run smooth so you need something thick/viscose to help it run smoothly.

Once you have a specialised Speed cube (e.g. a DIY from cube4you), then, and only then, I'd advise you to switch to silicone (without a question!).
Only the proper speed cubes are for silicone! .... Mark my words!!!




Finally...
THERE IS A THIRD OPTION!!!
Superlubricity ... Graphite (in a spray), my older brother told me a bit about this... it was what they 'used to talk about'... I don't know if it's still available (nor the price...), I guess that that, is a discussion for another thread...

I saw some graphite lubricant at about the same price as silicone at Canadian Tire a while back. It did contain acetone, but as long as you disassemble to lube that might not be a problem.

 

[brunson]

I used graphite (not spray, but graphite powder) and it pretty much ruined the cube. Graphite is actually very, very hard, it just slides over itself very well. It is great for lubricating hard stuff like metal in locks, but scored big gouges in the plastic of my cube. It's also a huge mess.

 

[(X)]

I disagree with most people here, you do not have to care to much about the cross yet, you can practice on it when you get sub 1 min, you really need to focus on F2L, and btw lube with vaseline on your rubiks brand cube, I haven't had any problems with my rubiks brand cube and vaseline.

 

[Tomarse]

Hey nice work there PJK... I'd like to expand on the hardware...lubrication...



IMHO for lubing:
here everyone will say "SILICONE SPRAY", "SILICONE SPRAY"..., but TBH that is only good for speedcubes! And you have a crappy standard rubik's cube, right!

Your normal standard Rubik's cube has flat, not shaped centers, giving it an un-smooth turn (e.g. when turning gently it will stop at 1/3rd and 2/3rds due to the gap the flat center piece creates). Then you need a different lubricate that is thicker to withstand the extra pressure applied at points when the cubies interact. Eventhough they say that Vaseline is "supposed" to eat at your cube , I'd like to see some evidence, my 28 year old cube shows no worse for ware!

Vaseline is the best option for your type of cube. I have used grease (yep it's black/green gunky stuff) for my standard (non-speed) Rubik's cube. I don't know which of the two is etter :rolleyes:, sorry.

Grease or vaseline is FAR BETTER for your standard crappy and non-speed cube due to the fact that it does not run smooth so you need something thick/viscose to help it run smoothly.

Once you have a specialised Speed cube (e.g. a DIY from cube4you), then, and only then, I'd advise you to switch to silicone (without a question!).
Only the proper speed cubes are for silicone! .... Mark my words!!!




Finally...
THERE IS A THIRD OPTION!!!
Superlubricity ... Graphite (in a spray), my older brother told me a bit about this... it was what they 'used to talk about'... I don't know if it's still available (nor the price...), I guess that that, is a discussion for another thread...

Teflon oil.