making 4x4/megaminx turn better

[David Pritts]

Hey guys,

I have a Mefferts megaminx and eastsheen 4x4 minicube. I don't practice them too much because my 4x4 cube is SO loose and so light that it feels like it's going to fall apart. If you pull on it, you can practically pull it apart. If i tighten the screws, it doesn't help much.

My megaminx is way too hard to turn, locks up too much, and is prone to popping if i force it.

What can I do about this? Are these puzzles just lower quality? Thanks.

David

 

[David Pritts]

also, two of the faces on my megaminx will come off like a screw when you turn them... someone mentioned having a similar problem a while ago, on the speedsolvingrubikscube yahoo group, and I thought someone told them to put a drop of superglue on the bottom of the screw.

I tried and I thought I did everything right, but it didn't fix it.

What about that/

thanks

David

 

[Erik]

Could've been me with the megaminx (mine is also mefferts)...
About the faces coming up, get the whole face out (including all cubies), get of the center cap (else you can't turn the screw tight enough). Take some glue (not fast drying glue!) do a lot of glue in the hole, put in the center piece, twist 3 turns or so, remove the glue coming out of the whole or your whole puzzle will be messed up, insert all cubies and then (with a very small screwdriver) tighten the screw, I suggest you put the screw in pretty tight. Now wait an hour or so... Check if the face isn't coming up anymore, if it still does, you have to get stronger glue or glue again and tighten the srew even more (if that is possible). About the stiffness of you minx, play with it but don't put silicone spray in it yet, I know it is horrible to do but else you never get it good, if your minx is going a bit better you can lube it. I suggest to practise everything without glue etc. first, because if it goes wrong you won't be happy (I'm not trying to make you scared, but just trying to avoid problems).
I don't know about eastsheen 4x4 by the way, I have one too, but almost never use it because I like my studio 4x4 more. My eastsheen is not too loose by the way.
Good Luck!

Erik

p.s.
I E-Mailed them about the face coming up, because it is ridiculous to have to repair your puzzle before you can play with it. I didn't have any reaction from them. You could try e-mailing them too, if everybody that has the same problem (so almost everyone with one of mefferts) e-mails or contact them too, maybe it helps...