Corner cutting on Valk 3 is decreasing

[Abare Killer]

I got the Valk 3 a month ago but a week ago, my blue side of the Valk can't even cut 45 degrees and the tension wasn't tight at all, all the sides have same tension but only the blue side won't cut. Any ways to fix this or improve the corner cutting on the Valk?

 

[dskids]

Has it ever been set up properly?

I'd take it apart and wipe out any lubricant or factory lube residue. Then I'd apply some heavier silicone lube to the springs. Next I'd apply a few drops of Lubicle Silk or similar on the pieces at opposite sides of the puzzle. Finally, turn all the sides continuously for a while to distribute and break in the piece lube.

 

[Abare Killer]

Ya, but btw, will the corner cut decrease if I haven't lubed it for a while?

 

[AlphaSheep]

can't even cut 45 degrees

Even if your turning is quite sloppy, you should never need to cut more than about 20 degrees. If you need more than that, then you need to work on fixing your turning style, not the cube. Corner cutting is seriously overrated.

If corner cutting on only one side is different, then the most likely cause is that the tensions are not perfectly equal. Remember that adjusting all the screws the same number of turns from a reference point is not exact. Likely causes of differences are slight variations in the heights of the plastic in the centre pieces, slight differences in the springs, a slightly stripped screw or core, a missing washer, or even excessive dust buildup under the washers or springs.

 

[efattah]

I always have the problem that my cubes deteriorate and no amount of taking them apart and cleaning/re-lubing seems to bring them back to their original glory. Some cubes improve a little but most never seem to go back. Tang Long, Weilong GTS and GTS-M, and now my Valk 3 is starting to deteriorate despite my attempts to resurrect it. Luckily money isn't a big issue, I guess I just keep buying fresh ones...?

I have a habit of whacking through a puzzle that is really beyond its need for service. My theory is that if you do thousands of solves on a puzzle that is dirty and contaminated with debris it permanently damages the puzzle, so even after cleaning, it is too scratched up or something like that..?

 

[Abare Killer]

So how long do I have to clean and re-lube again?

 

[dskids]

I have a habit of whacking through a puzzle that is really beyond its need for service. My theory is that if you do thousands of solves on a puzzle that is dirty and contaminated with debris it permanently damages the puzzle, so even after cleaning, it is too scratched up or something like that..?

Sounds like a reasonable theory. Are you using normal silicone grease lubes or other branded cubing lubes or something else? There are some non-cubing-specific lubricants out there that are known to have deleterious effects on plastic in the long term.

I don't think it is common anymore but I've heard people used to use stuff like vaseline as "break-in" lube because it was known to break down the plastic somewhat and it was thought to accelerate the break-in process.

 

[emps]

I always have the problem that my cubes deteriorate and no amount of taking them apart and cleaning/re-lubing seems to bring them back to their original glory. Some cubes improve a little but most never seem to go back. Tang Long, Weilong GTS and GTS-M, and now my Valk 3 is starting to deteriorate despite my attempts to resurrect it. Luckily money isn't a big issue, I guess I just keep buying fresh ones...?

I have a habit of whacking through a puzzle that is really beyond its need for service. My theory is that if you do thousands of solves on a puzzle that is dirty and contaminated with debris it permanently damages the puzzle, so even after cleaning, it is too scratched up or something like that..?

probably not. i frequently clean my cube and its corner cutting is getting worse. i just suggest some lubicle silk.