Dissapointed with type A, so what's next?

[xchiltonx]

I've received my first order with cube4you.
White DIYKit 3x3x3 Cube (a)
New Type White 3x3x3 DIY Cube (f)
New 2x2x2 Cube(with Springs)

I've just put together the first one on the list...
-no lube,
-no sanding of corners,
-nibbled off one or two bobbly bits,
-filed the springs,

YET,
- the springs seem to be far tougher than all my files :/
-I did'nt think that they'd have the lines on the center parts of the cubies :/ do I sand the flat surface...
-It's a cream colour :'( not white like the second item)
I'd like to know your experience to help me know what to do next.
Oh yes, Aftergetting the centers to about 1.2 mm gap from the core, when I assembled it some faces are tougher than others???

The second one will wait for the moment and the third... well it's stickers are pretty crappy with plenty of bubbles.

I was really surprised... and a bit dissapointed...

My old cube (the one with non-arched centres) I consider it as my experimental cube, I can do anything to it!!! I have rounded the corners (actually about 4 seperate occaisions) and finished off with 400 grain sand paper (black one). It has been completely washed, stripped the stickers and siliconed and put on new cubeSmith stickers.And it's kind of not too bad, but I was expecting so much more with my DIY kits.

 

[blade740]

The only thing I can say is that that 2x2 will break. I don't think there's any chance of that NOT happening.

 

[fanwuq]

Why file the springs?
the type A comes fine as it is. Just assemble, lube, and you are ready.

 

[waffle=ijm]

you just need to break in and lube

 

[Rodrigo Piaggio]

Some breaking in is always necessary before you estimate the cube performance. If you ask what buy next i recommend you to buy a type c (many colours at c4y but risky to buy!!) or an old type d (not c4y, try at 9spuzzles or rubikfans) or a nº222 Diansheng cube (for me the old type a cube is like crap):

http://cgi.ebay.com/Chinese-classic-old-brand-speedcube-DianSheng-Stickers_W0QQitemZ160304122546QQihZ006QQcategoryZ19187QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

 

[striderxo]

The Type A's aren't as good as the C's, but they work fine. I had to loosen some screws and risk popping, but it turns quite well now. I would recommend the C types as well. You'll get use to the turning eventually for the A type though. I haven't used my A type long enough to know it's potential for speedcubing.

 

[xchiltonx]

Even with the washers at each end of the spring it still squeaks and creaks.
It needs to be smooth.

Q. Do you know why when I assembled it some faces are tougher than others for the same tightness?

PS will it be okay to put grease on the spring and silicone the cube?

 

[xchiltonx]

After breaking in, lubing and a lot of fine tuning with the screws, and I've filed the corners on the 6 centers too, on both cubes:

- the White DIYKit 3x3x3 Cube (a) is not my favourite, even though I thought that a lot of people here were using the Type A successfully... for me I find that it sticks a lot. It has a nice buttery feel but I think that it will need a lot of filing/sanding to have smooth transitions between two faces (ie cutting corners).


- the New Type White 3x3x3 DIY Cube (f) is very nice, bit weird with it being very light, but it never pops and turns very easily.

 

[xchiltonx]

It puzzles me, I've tried to use the Type A a lot, but I'm going to sand/file it once I get some spare time. I thought that the Type A was popular, my bad.

 

[cardmagic12345]

You definitely did something wrong. Maybe they sent you the wrong type? Maybe you got the type mixed up. Maybe you screwed it up "tuning" it before you tried it out first. Also maybe the tension is off, your supposed to adjust the screws individually, that's why some sides are faster than others.

P.S. getting the centers to pull 1.2mm from the core is really tight, tighter that store bought cubes. Watch a youtube video on setting the perfect tension for a DIY

 

[xchiltonx]

Thanks, I definitely did nothing wrong ;p like I said I didn't alter it in any way, I've lubed it now and tuned in the springs to a comfortable 'doesn't pop too much' and 'turns easily' balance and each face feels the same (which was really hard). The gaps are near 2mm now.

I think that I just got a dodgy one.
My 'new f type' never pops and is smoother and easier to turn.

Last thing that I've recently noticed with this type A is the corner core part. It measures 10mm x 10mm x 11mm, where the 11mm length is the height of the side with the hole and the 10mm x 10 mm is the height and breath of the holy side.

:'(