Magnets Discussion and Help thread

[DMCubing]

Hey, that is awesome!!! That's the thing I really like best about my channel is the exchange of information and people sharing their knowledge and findings! I know the very thread you're talking about. So much useful information people have posted there.

I've been wanting to do a 5x5 for many months now, actually. I think it was back in February when I drew my magnet blueprint for one. But since I'm not comfortable solving larger cubes, and more importantly, not sure about putting one back together, I've kind of put the project on the back burner. I need to take the plunge though!

Magnetized a Mini Thunderclap 4x4 using some suggestions found in a YT discussion on @DMCubing 's TY channel. It was discovered that Chris Tran mentioned using 5x1 N48 and 3.2x1.6 N48 on the Cubicle Wuque and given that they are fairly similar cubes in design, that's exactly what I dropped in. Felt too strong at first, but I backed off the tensions and lubed it up a bit. Now it feels really solid.

Magnets add so much stability to the cubes. I still can't get over how great the 5x5 feels.

I gotta say, after starting on a 5x5 and coming up with a technique, doing the next cube was really effortless. You get a nice rhythm down with whatever system you come up with.

 

[JohnnyReggae]

I've been wanting to do a 5x5 for many months now, actually. I think it was back in February when I drew my magnet blueprint for one. But since I'm not comfortable solving larger cubes, and more importantly, not sure about putting one back together, I've kind of put the project on the back burner. I need to take the plunge though!

A 5x5 is a lot easier to put back together than a 4x4 or 6x6. Just do it

When it comes to 6x6 I would recommend securing the centers with some tape of sorts before you take it apart, and then to take it apart very gently to retain the inner mechanism in place so that you are left with a ball with large center pieces.

 

[Bemis]

Hey, that is awesome!!! That's the thing I really like best about my channel is the exchange of information and people sharing their knowledge and findings! I know the very thread you're talking about. So much useful information people have posted there.

I've been wanting to do a 5x5 for many months now, actually. I think it was back in February when I drew my magnet blueprint for one. But since I'm not comfortable solving larger cubes, and more importantly, not sure about putting one back together, I've kind of put the project on the back burner. I need to take the plunge though!

After assembling 2 of my 4x4s, I will echo @JohnnyReggae and say that the 5x5 assembly is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier than a 4x4. The cubies are attached to the ring pieces that build up the core so you have much more area to grip as you are putting it all together. I found that after it was magnetized, it was even easier since the pieces were holding on to each other, it wasn't trying to pop apart as I moved around the cube. Reassembly was the most fun part. Haha. Still blown away by the stability on the bigger cubes. I just got the magnets in yesterday for my next 5x5!

 

[Bemis]

Guess I went on a bit of a magnetic rampage. Using @One Wheel 's suggestion for Yuxin 5x5, I use 6x1 n48 inside, 5x1 n52 outside and it came out absolutely perfect. I'm at the point where I can't pick a favorite 5x5.

Kinda funny that I had two 5x5s and a 4x4 under my belt before doing my first magnetic 3x3.

Spent yesterday and today setting up some 3x3s in the order that I did them listed below. Really felt like I messed up at first with how strong that GTS2 turned out, but the N50s redeemed themselves in the Cyclone Boys.

*Note: every one of these are stickerless

1. MoYu WeiLong GTS2 (N50 4x2) - way too strong, but feels fun during solves. Will do another with much weaker magnets. I'm leaving this one as it is because it is really fun when doing slow solves. It's easy to get a cadence going.
2. Cyclone Boys FeiChi (N50 4x2) - Absolutely perfect. Feels amazing. That thicker plastic needed the heavier magnets.
3. MoJue M3 (N38 4x2) - Loving this one. Smooth, fast, and just feels perfect. Magnets are light, but noticeable.
4. YuXin Little Magic (N35 4x2) - Such an incredible feel for such a cheap cube. Got this one on sale for $3.29 and put $4.00 worth of magnets in it. It's hard to put it down.
5. QiYi Valk 3 (N35 4x2) - bit strong, but feels so solid during solves. Loosened the tensions on this one quite a bit and that really cleaned this one up.

I'm left with enough N38s to do one more cube, but I'll figure that out.

I mostly wanted to get some of my notes down while it's all still fresh. Overall, very pleased with how these turned out. I'd use any one of those last 4 exclusively if I had to.

Wanted to add that all of the magnets are from gaussboys with the DMCUBING discount code!
Thanks again for that @DMCubing !

Six cubes in the span of two days. Enough superglue for me. Now to go enjoy all of my modded puzzles!

 

[JohnnyReggae]

MoYu WeiLong GTS2 (N50 4x2) - way too strong, but feels fun during solves. Will do another with much weaker magnets. I'm leaving this one as it is because it is really fun when doing slow solves. It's easy to get a cadence going.

QiYi Valk 3 (N35 4x2) - bit strong, but feels so solid during solves. Loosened the tensions on this one quite a bit and that really cleaned this one up.

For the GTS2 I used 5x1.5 N38's which do feel fairly strong, but not as strong as the N50's will feel. I use the GTS2 as my OH main because of the stability the strong-ish magnets give it.

4x2 N35's in a Valk I feel are a little weak, but because the cube has an inherent stability in the design these magnets are great for it. I also tried 5x1.5 N38's in the Valk and that was a little too strong IMO.

Waiting for my Valk Power to arrive but can't decide what magnets to use in it. Anyone with calipers that can measure the thickness of the pieces between the Valk and Valk Power ?

 

[Bemis]

4x2 N35's in a Valk I feel are a little weak, but because the cube has an inherent stability in the design these magnets are great for it. I also tried 5x1.5 N38's in the Valk and that was a little too strong IMO.

Waiting for my Valk Power to arrive but can't decide what magnets to use in it. Anyone with calipers that can measure the thickness of the pieces between the Valk and Valk Power ?

That's interesting on the Valk. Wish we were closer so you could feel the N35 Valk I just made. It's strong, but perfectly so. I had reservations about doing it because of the holes in the corner pieces. I wasn't sure how easily the magnets would slip out during gluing. That part was easy and now it's the cube I can't put down. I solved on it all night last night. Kind of funny, because the M3 feels the most perfect, but that snappiness of the Valk is incredible as well.

I don't have calipers, but shot a side by side. The power is a good bit thicker.

 

[DMCubing]

For the GTS2 I used 5x1.5 N38's which do feel fairly strong, but not as strong as the N50's will feel. I use the GTS2 as my OH main because of the stability the strong-ish magnets give it.

4x2 N35's in a Valk I feel are a little weak, but because the cube has an inherent stability in the design these magnets are great for it. I also tried 5x1.5 N38's in the Valk and that was a little too strong IMO.

Waiting for my Valk Power to arrive but can't decide what magnets to use in it. Anyone with calipers that can measure the thickness of the pieces between the Valk and Valk Power ?

Best magnet I've found out of making 20 GTS2Ms testing a large variety of magnets is the N42 5x1 magnet from Gaussboys. Absolutely the best feeling cube I own!!! But..... I just made #21 last night, using a combination of N35 5x1 and N42 5x1. I can't wait to reassemble it today! I think it's going to be pretty nice!!

5mm wide magnets, in my testing, feel too strong in the Valk because the cutaway holes are not shielding the magnetic energy at that portion of the cubie piece. Thus a magnet that should feel somewhat weaker ends up feeling stronger. My favorite magnet is probably the N35 4x2. Magnets vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer, I've found.

The Valk Power is an entirely different animal. Factory M has magnets, which to a lot of people, feel weak. A mixture of N35 4x1.5 in the edges, and N35 4x1 in the corners. DIY magnetizing is possible, but has a few challenges. I used Gaussboys gold plated N38 4x1.5 which gave a nice medium subtle magnetic feel.

The sidewall of the Power edge piece measures 1.10mm. The corner piece, at the magnetic slot/indentation, measures .73mm. I've got a couple of videos up on my YouTube channel about the cube, DMCubing.

 

[Bemis]

I just made #21 last night, using a combination of N35 5x1 and N42 5x1. I can't wait to reassemble it today! I think it's going to be pretty nice!!

Do let us know how that one turns outs. I have another GTS2 sitting here begging me to do something with it.

Interestingly, the first GTS2 I did, did not have any pockets for magnets, on the one I have sitting here, it has pockets for magnets, but ONLY on some of the pieces. The white and yellow corner pieces have no pockets and the same is true with edges. Most of the edges have pockets, but the yellow and white edges do not.

I guess I got some weird batch where they just grabbed what was lying around and didn't realize what they were using. I remember when the GTS2 came out, for the stickered cubes, they were still sticking GTS V1 in the box marked GTS2, so seeing something weird in the stickerless version isn't terribly surprising.

I gotta say, after using the GTS2 with the really heavy magnets, my times are a bit better. I haven't done a billion solves, but the AO50 showed improvement. Interesting.

Now that I've settled in the with Valk 3's N35 4x2, I'm in love. What a joy. The M3 is still the best one I've created, but they all feel very good in their own ways.

 

[DMCubing]

Do let us know how that one turns outs. I have another GTS2 sitting here begging me to do something with it.

Interestingly, the first GTS2 I did, did not have any pockets for magnets, on the one I have sitting here, it has pockets for magnets, but ONLY on some of the pieces. The white and yellow corner pieces have no pockets and the same is true with edges. Most of the edges have pockets, but the yellow and white edges do not.

I guess I got some weird batch where they just grabbed what was lying around and didn't realize what they were using. I remember when the GTS2 came out, for the stickered cubes, they were still sticking GTS V1 in the box marked GTS2, so seeing something weird in the stickerless version isn't terribly surprising.

I gotta say, after using the GTS2 with the really heavy magnets, my times are a bit better. I haven't done a billion solves, but the AO50 showed improvement. Interesting.

Now that I've settled in the with Valk 3's N35 4x2, I'm in love. What a joy. The M3 is still the best one I've created, but they all feel very good in their own ways.

I went back and forth on the Valk from N38 to N42 4x2s, and settled on N35 4x2s!!! Go figure!

Yeah, the GTS2 comes mixed with slotted and unslotted parts. I'll post a pic of my latest. Being the obsessive type that I am, I started cutting all the slots out of mine last night but decided to stopped before I went to far and weigh the slotted pieces against the non slotted ones. Even as the highest resolution, I couldn't detect any difference in weight between the slotted and nonslotted corner and edge pieces. So I'm no longer worried about my cubes being lopsided because of the mixmatch of parts. You'll find the Valk Power has the same hodgepodge approach to pieces. Lol

Well, I'm going to take care of a few more things then get back to assembling my latest GTS2M.

 

[Bemis]

Okay, so you took the approach I'm thinking about. Just ignoring those slots and use the other side. I'm actually glad you posted that, confirmed my thoughts. If that seems like the golden combo, let me know and I'll place an order, otherwise I'll be slapping some N42 5x1s in both edges and corners.

 

[DMCubing]

Okay, so you took the approach I'm thinking about. Just ignoring those slots and use the other side. I'm actually glad you posted that, confirmed my thoughts. If that seems like the golden combo, let me know and I'll place an order, otherwise I'll be slapping some N42 5x1s in both edges and corners.

Yeah, luckily I've always put them on that side in the GTS2 even before the factory version. Had I found the extra plastic added weight, I'd cut them all out, but per piece, I found no difference.

I'll be back later with a report on #21!

Okay, so you took the approach I'm thinking about. Just ignoring those slots and use the other side. I'm actually glad you posted that, confirmed my thoughts. If that seems like the golden combo, let me know and I'll place an order, otherwise I'll be slapping some N42 5x1s in both edges and corners.

PS: I'll need to update this video since I've done 11 more cubes since, but here's a few of my findings with prototyping the GTS2M:

Ok, so I've assembled and lubricated the N35 5x1 / N42 5x1 GTS2M and am currently doing solves, breaking it in. I think it feels great as a subtle cube. I certainly wouldn't go any more subtle than this. (All N35 5x1s in a previous cube proved to be too subtle for my liking).

The N35 5x1 / N42 5x1 combination makes the GTS2 feel very much like the factory magnetized Valk Power M. Very much so, but without the weight. So it's subtle. The magnets are there, though, and still impart an influence on aligning the cube while solving. Not much stopping power to prevent overshooting though. For people preferring a workable subtle feel, it'll be perfect. However, I still prefer the N42 5x1 throughout: It's still the best of all!

 

[ducttapecuber]

I apologize if this has been asked before
What are the size of the magnets in the Aosu GTSM? I want to try stronger magnets but I don’t have a pair of calipers to see what size the slots are.

 

[Bemis]

However, I still prefer the N42 5x1 throughout: It's still the best of all!

Annnnnd.. just added them to my cart. Thanks again for the write up!

 

[DMCubing]

Annnnnd.. just added them to my cart. Thanks again for the write up!

Awesome!!! You'll love it! Let me know what you think.

 

[Bemis]

Was hoping to have the magnets delivered before the weekend, but they finally got in yesterday. I was a bit excited, so after dinner I went ahead and glued them up. This is what a magnetic GTS2 should feel like. It's incredible. I have 2 more GTS2s on the way and I may just slap these in those as well.

I can't stop solving and fidgeting with it. It's so good that I swapped out my Valk 3 for it to come with me to work.

Thanks so much for all the experimenting you did on this cube. Absolute joy to solve on!

Awesome!!! You'll love it! Let me know what you think.

 

[DMCubing]

Was hoping to have the magnets delivered before the weekend, but they finally got in yesterday. I was a bit excited, so after dinner I went ahead and glued them up. This is what a magnetic GTS2 should feel like. It's incredible. I have 2 more GTS2s on the way and I may just slap these in those as well.

I can't stop solving and fidgeting with it. It's so good that I swapped out my Valk 3 for it to come with me to work.

Thanks so much for all the experimenting you did on this cube. Absolute joy to solve on!

Oh, man, that is AWESOME!!!! Yeah, I totally love the feel of that particular magnet in the GTS2M. My favorite cube!!! I'm so happy to hear you like it too!!!

I've tried the same magnet in the Valk, but because of the cutaway holes in the corner pieces, the magnets end up attracting more at that area in the cube, the end result being a magnet that feels perfectly subtle in the GTS2M is a bit overly strong in the Valk. I might be able to overcome this by experimenting with the location of the magnets inside the Valk.

 

[1001010101001]

I recently magnetised my GAN air with N40 magnets. I found out it was too strong but do not know how to take the magnets off. I use superglue for magnets. Is there any cheap or easy way to get the magnets to weaken?

Is it Ok to take out all the stickers and screws and soak it in water

My 356 Air that I magnetised is too strong, how do I get the magnets off quickly and efficiently

 

[Bemis]

You can take a small screwdriver, wedge it under that magnet and just pop them out. The plastic is really slick, so it's not holding by much. I'm sure you could clean up any residual with some acetone / nail polish remover.

I just slapped some N35 4x2s in a MF3RS2, and finally found a good application for that magnet. Turned out great!

I recently magnetised my GAN air with N40 magnets. I found out it was too strong but do not know how to take the magnets off. I use superglue for magnets. Is there any cheap or easy way to get the magnets to weaken?

Is it Ok to take out all the stickers and screws and soak it in water

My 356 Air that I magnetised is too strong, how do I get the magnets off quickly and efficiently

 

[ducttapecuber]

Does anyone have any suggestions for removing magnets (and replacing with different strength) from cubes with slots? I want to change the magnets in my Aosu GTSM but I can’t get the magnets out. I’ve tried goo gone and acetone along with wedging it out with a screwdriver. Nothing has worked

 

[HarryW]

I just started cubing and ordered a number of cubes (not so much for cubing with all of them, but as a collection) which I plan to magnetize if possible. I found quite some info for most of the cubes but I haven't seen a thread or video about the Yulong. I wonder if you can magnetize that cube with the usual 4x2mm disc magnets due to the construction of the corner pieces with that additional plastic piece in the center to connect the sides.
Has anybody already put magnets in their Yulong and did you run into any problems with those corner pieces? Would you rather use N35 or N50 ones?