How to remove the spring noise in a simple Cube

[CubeExplorer]

Today I tried to make my MoYu3c silent and it works very well. So I recommend the following procedure.

I like the MoYu3c and they are pretty cheap. They need some service for the start. First I had cleaned the parts and lubed with dry handsoap. This works well. I do not use silicon oil or oil. The cubies are silent, the faces rotate very easily and the feel ist not jumpy any more. But the spring noise remained of course, and it began to annoy me. So I had a curious look inside the center pieces. I was surprised.

I think in many other cubes of this price range there will be the same situation. What I saw: No washers beneath the springs and really sharp burrs at the ends of the spring. There was already some white dust from the plastic and som grey metal dust. The cube is only two weeks in use and shows the signs of wear.

So I tinkered and applied 3 measures:
I got washers with the dimension M4, widened the center holes to 4.5 mm and layed them in.
Next I deburred the springs ends by hand over a simple fine whetstone. There is absolutely no machine necessary.
On the springs ends I put a very small amount of petrol jelly.

After reassembling the Cubes are absolutely quiet now. And there will no service be necessary again to this part of the cube.

 

[qwr]

I have tried filing down springs but I couldn't get it to work with just sandpaper or a metal file. A tiny amount of traxxas on the end works well for me.

 

[CubeExplorer]

I couldn't get it to work with just sandpaper or a metal file.

Of course not. These arent the appropriate means. The steel of the springs is too hard for an ordinary file. And sand paper wears off before you see an effect, because the point of the spring wire is too sharp. A flat and very fine whetstone, which ist used for sharpening knifes and other tools, works well and effortless. Just Lubricating the springs would help for a while but the effect may not last for long. Deburring PLUS lubricating with some simple fine grease like petrol jelly is a sound solution. No special stuff necessary here.

 

[qwr]

Thanks for letting me know. The diff oil has done its job so far. I don't know if petrol oil is plastic safe but I know Traxxas definitely is.

 

[CubeExplorer]

Im not talking about oil. We better use grease in this place. Grease stays much longer where it is applicated, than oil. Petrol jelly is a universal grease for fine mechanical things. It is save to use it here. But it should not be used to grease the cubies. Thats a different topic though.

 

[qwr]

I should mention I used a diamond file.

The oil I am talking about is Traxxas differential oil, which is more like a gel but not a grease.

 

[SH03L4C3]

I don't know if petrol oil is plastic safe

You make me want to try it now

 

[qwr]

You make me want to try it now

woops I just realized I typed petrol oil instead of petrol jelly. That is probably why my response looked so weird.

 

[SH03L4C3]

looks like were back to the vasoline days

 

[CubeExplorer]

looks like were back to the vasoline days

Never heard about a stuff called vasoline, petrol jelly is vaseline. And read carefully please. Vaseline is used here between the metal parts only, its not to be used to grease the plastic parts. The latter does not work well. I would avoid that strictly. I do NOT recommend it.

 

[Hyper Cubr]

Why is the dude using handsoap btw?