DIY assembly cube - advice on assembly order?

[Kabuthunk]

I've just received my DIY rubik's cube (the white one from the Rubik's site), and am debating what would be the best order in which to assemble it.

Obviously, the assembly of it itself is just that, however, since I'm planning on lubricating it (after going over it with a fine-tooth comb so to speak to sand out any minor bumps from the injection mould process), I'm debating when it would be best to apply the stickers, and under what conditions. I could:

a) assemble the cube right off the hop, apply the stickers, disassemble it, sand it, lube it, etc.
b) sand it, lube it, assemble it, dry sides, apply stickers
c) sand it, lube it, assemble it, use ridiculously fine sandpaper (I have either 600 grit or 1200 grit available at the moment) to 'rough up' the sides, then apply stickers.
d) assemble it, sand sides to rough up, apply stickers, disassemble, sand, lube.

And B through D beg the question of whether it's best to 'rough up' the sides before applying the stickers or not. Does anyone have any input on the pros or cons of that, or has anyone tried either way before?


Any input people can offer would be much appreciated. I'd like to get this done in the way that will make things last the longest prior to me doing anything that can't be undone.

And while I'm asking questions, does anyone have any input on if the tension adjuster will loosen over time, and if they have a way to stop this from happening?

Thanks in advance.

 

[eastamazonantidote]

Why would you sand a DIY? Other than that I followed mechanic 1 with great results. You should always wait before lubing your DIY (my opinion) until you find what tensions do what. Usually I leave the center caps off before lubing, constantly adjusting the tension.

 

[Vifs]

Uhh if its bad enough that you need to sand, you should probably get a better DIY.

But if your worried about messing up your stickers just lube before you put your stickers on. So just put it together, get the tension how you want it, lube, then put stickers on... I guess.

Honestly when I get a DIY, I just slap it together and mess with it till i get it how I like it tension wise, then I put on stickers, usually play with it for a day or two before lubing.

 

[Kabuthunk]

I haven't even looked at the pieces to see if they need sanding. I was moreso basing it on a store-bought cube (Rubik's brand) that indeed spins a hundred times better after having sanded (and this DIY is also Rubik's brand). If once I examine all the parts and it doesn't need sanding then y'know, I won't bother


But I'm somewhat concerned about whether lubing first (although I'm heavily leaning towards the 'put it together and mess with it for a while first' suggestion from Vifs) will make the stickers... not stick, or stick a whole lot less. And as well still wondering whether roughing up the surface is a bad thing or a good thing (for example, when gluing something random to something else, roughing up the surface is generally considered a good thing).

 

[~Phoenix Death~]

My suggestion is that you assemble it, perfect the tension to your liking, break it in, lube it, sticker it.

 

[DavidWoner]

Assemble -> Lube -> Adjust -> sticker.

Adjusting before lubing is dumb because the cube is going to feel completely different after lubing.

And don't rough, you're not cementing anything.