DMCubing
Regular
Hey BossCuber! Excellent thread you started!!!
I think the best cube to start on is the MF3RS. It's inexpensive, you can use either a stronger magnet or weaker magnet, and end up with a very, very nice cube! You can also learn the various gluing techniques with this cube.
As for which cubes I have magnetized, I guess I've magnetized every popular cube that is on the market. And within those maybe a dozen GTS, fourteen Valks (seven prototypes alone on that cube until I found the best magnets for it), five GTS2s, three Thunderclap V1, two Aolong V2s, two Yuexiaos, two Gan Airs, a bunch more 3x3s, about eight 2x2s to a total of around 50, I believe.
For me, the Air is my most difficult 3x3. The Valk to me is really easy probably because I've done so many- I could do that cube blindfolded! Lol The GTS2 is also easy.
I don't go for speed when I build a cube. Unfortunately this mentality has slipped in magmodding, possibly from the speed solving state of mind. For me, it's a meditative process. I'm only building for myself. I'm also a stickler for paying attention to detail and precision. This comes from my profession as musical instrument repair technician and custom trumpet builder. I also actually GLUE my magnets to the cubie piece plastic. Sure, you can crank a cube out quickly if all you do is position the magnets then come back and place a drop of superglue on them. Unfortunately this doesn't create a permanent bond. Hardly.
One of the very first tests I ever did with my magcubes was a pry test of the magnets to see which adhesive, and which gluing technique, worked the best. I've probably tried eight different adhesives. And I'm still experimenting! Just tried a new glue this past weekend. Anyway, it might seem a wasteful thing to purposely pry out magnets just for the express reason of finding out how durable your glue is, but in the long run, it's worth it.
But back to the speed issue. I can crank out a GTS2 in an hour, but unless you're selling these things, why? Until you're actually experienced doing it, all you'll get with rushing it is a lot of mistakes. And give the glue plenty of time to dry. I actually like to let my glued parts sit for several hours under the slight breeze of a ceiling fan before reassembling. When you circulate air, you won't get the nasty white fogging/etching of the plastic that superglues tend to do as their fumes concentrate.
And finally, since you're just getting into magmodding, don't cheap out on your magnets!!!!!!! If you're about to build potentially the best cube you'll have ever had, why try to save a few bucks on the magnets? Your cube is worth putting decent magnets in it, magnets that are plated properly and up to spec.
I spent two hours this evening cataloging and testing my supply of magnets. I have over ten styles of magnets to choose from with a total count being roughly 4800 magnets. Price is rarely a concern- you get what you pay for. I bought from eBay twice, and learned. Never again. Magnets aren't that expensive. Shipping is, so buy larger quantities to offset the shipping costs.
My advice- buy only from a reputable magnet company whom you can easily communicate with. There are so many fake, misrepresented magnets being sold, mostly the "N50" 4x2. I'm convinced, after hearing daily from people telling me they've successfully used them in cubes like the Air and Valk, then say that the magnetic feel is "subtle", I know for sure that what they've received is N35 magnets being passed off as something stronger. So buy from real magnet companies and buy domestic. We have three really good companies that I know of in the US for 4mm x 2mm neodymium magnets. Apex Magnets is the source for N48s, Thackery for the N52s, and Gaussboys for N35, N38, N42, and N50. Gaussboys is great because after talking with the owner, he's about to start carrying N35s (he'll be the only domestic seller in the US) and N50s. Also, his magnets are of a superior quality.
Anyway that's my take. Sorry for being so long winded. That doesn't happen often! Lol
