new method

[immortalcube]

Hi,
I just got a cube about two-three weeks ago, just the standard brand. I didn't lubricate it or anything, but it's gotten looser on it's own. Anyway, I've been using a "keyhole" method (first layer cross, 3 first layer corners, 3 second layer edges, align and permute edges, permute corners, orient corners), and have an average of about 1:07-ish with a best times of :53.xx (lucky) and :56.xx (nonlucky). I have been using finger tricks somewhat, but I would like to get down to ~45 seconds, if not better.
So I want to switch methods. I've been looking into block-building methods, but, although I am able to use the Petrus method if I use a cheat sheet of algorithms, I can't seem to "get" step 3 in the Heise method (solve the remaining edges and any two corners). I am drawn into the Heise method because of how economical it is (on his site, Heise has a replay of him solving a cube in 24[?] moves), but I just can't understand the concepts involved. Does anyone here use Heise's method for speedcubing? If so, I would appreciate any advice/information about it. I've looked around on the internet, but haven't been able to find any explanations other than the one on his site.

 

[fanwuq]

Wow, beginner interested in something not Fridrich! Your times are pretty fast for only 2-3 weeks of cubing. I think few people use Heise for speed solving, but it can be very fast if you know a lot about commutators and you are good at block building.
I wanted to learn Roux or Heise at first too, but they were also too difficult to understand at the time. My trouble was not able to comprehend that you can solve several pieces at a time, not just one. Hopefully you have better luck than me.
I think reading about commutators and practice block building would help.

http://solvethecube.110mb.com/commutators.html

 

[immortalcube]

I also tried Roux, but found his website to be .....confusing at least. Thanks for the link. I think I understand how commutators work better now, but, after working with the Petrus method for a few hours today, I think I'm going to stick with that. I can solve it in ~5 min or so now, and I'm confident that I can have all 7[?] necessary algorithms memorized and get down to my average with the keyhole method in maybe a week or so. One thing about the Heise method was that trying it so much helped me learn block building, which is why I can do the Petrus method at all (my earlier attempts were foiled due to a lack of knowledge on how to solve more than one piece at a time).
On an unrelated note, exactly how necessary to speedcubing is lubricating a cube? As I said, I never lubricated mine, but it's been broken in by constant solving for the past few weeks. It may be a little stiff, but I can do finger tricks with it, at least. I've read that you can get CTS, muscle pulls, etc., if you use an unlubricated cube for speedcubing.

 

[fanwuq]

When I switched to fridrich/petrus, it took me a while to get used to the block building. You'll reach about 1min after a week and drop down to 40 seconds very quickly.
I personally don't think lubing matters much. I did not properly lube a cube until I was sub-30. But I had use a little of petroleum jelly when I was at your speed, but now people say that is bad for the cube.
what is your average move count?
For LBL, I think I got about 100. You should aim for less than 70 speed solving and less than 55 when you try to solve it in the fewest move possible as of now.

 

[Radical Seal]

You should aim for less than 70 speed solving and less than 55 when you try to solve it in the fewest move possible as of now.

It would be more appropriate to tell him what his f2l move count should be.

 

[immortalcube]

I really didn't think much about number of moves until a few days ago, when I counted a few times. Using my normal semi-speedcubing keyhole method, my move counts were high 70s to low 80s, but I never counted while trying for economy. I haven't tried counting my moves with a Petrus solve, but I'd rather wait until I can solve it consistently before counting, as I know I could use a little work on my block building method (sometimes I get stuck trying to join pieces and use like 5-6 moves when I know you can do it in 2-3 moves), and sometimes I mess up the algorithms, or get into weird situations accidentally, etc. But hey, I only started seriously looking at Petrus's solution last night (incidentally, did you know Lars Petrus is currently employed by Google?).
I initially thought about using vaseline (petrolium jelly) to lubricate my cube, but I've heard that you're not supposed to use it because it speeds up the aging process for the plastics used in the cube considerably, and that it'll really mess up a cube.

 

[immortalcube]

Well, against my better judgment, I just counted with a Petrus solve. Total moves: 86
F2L moves: 53
....
I think it's safe to say both my block building and my LL need a bit (scratch that, a LOT) of work.

 

[fanwuq]

yeah, get F2L move count down to sub-45 for now.

 

[immortalcube]

Well, I tried just F2L a couple more times, and I'm getting around 50 moves on average. I'm currently looking through the block building examples on Petrus' site.

 

[pcharles93]

Wow, you're progressing really fast. I wish I knew about F2L before I averaged 35-ish with LBL. It seems you get the concepts pretty well. All you need to do is speed up. If you haven't heard this already(you probably have), practice is the best thing you can do for yourself.

 

[immortalcube]

@pcharles93:
if anything, I probably need to practice less. I have this whole week off from school (spring break), so if I don't seriously hurt my wrists, I'm gonna be rather surprised...
also, just got my new lowest on F2L, 46 moves

 

[pcwiz]

You have spring break now? Me too! I wonder if we live close.... ?

And also, hurt your wrists? You'll only hurt your wrists if you solve the cube like 100+ times a day, which your probably don't do. If you are still worried about your wrists, you can solve the cube slowly. You can think about your own tricks, and ways to shorten your move counts. This way you can do a lot of experimenting, and that is helpful when you turn the cube slowly. If you are too bored to experiment, or you are STILL worried that you'll hurt your hands (I doubt it), then ummm... that's your choice so whatever.

 

[immortalcube]

I live in Connecticut, USA. You?
The thing about hurting my wrists is a joke, although I do cube an awful lot.
It's like those stress ball things everyone seems to have, for example at the last NHD [ www.nhd.org/about.htm ] competition I pretty much cubed all day. I met someone else there who was also cubing too.

 

[pcharles93]

You have spring break now? Me too! I wonder if we live close.... ?

And also, hurt your wrists? You'll only hurt your wrists if you solve the cube like 100+ times a day, which your probably don't do. If you are still worried about your wrists, you can solve the cube slowly. You can think about your own tricks, and ways to shorten your move counts. This way you can do a lot of experimenting, and that is helpful when you turn the cube slowly. If you are too bored to experiment, or you are STILL worried that you'll hurt your hands (I doubt it), then ummm... that's your choice so whatever.

That is completely untrue. I use my own cube I built and adjusted for my own preferences. I can do over 200 solves in one day without feeling any worse than before I started. Pcwiz, this advice seems like it was just copied and pasted. Don't you still average 50+ with LBL?

 

[pcwiz]

I live in Connecticut, USA. You?
The thing about hurting my wrists is a joke, although I do cube an awful lot.

Okay, I don't live in Connecticut USA, and I would like to keep my residence private.
Oh it was a joke? Well, if you get to know me more, you'll see I'm very bad at making jokes and understand them.... also sarcasm

You have spring break now? Me too! I wonder if we live close.... ?

And also, hurt your wrists? You'll only hurt your wrists if you solve the cube like 100+ times a day, which your probably don't do. If you are still worried about your wrists, you can solve the cube slowly. You can think about your own tricks, and ways to shorten your move counts. This way you can do a lot of experimenting, and that is helpful when you turn the cube slowly. If you are too bored to experiment, or you are STILL worried that you'll hurt your hands (I doubt it), then ummm... that's your choice so whatever.

That is completely untrue. I use my own cube I built and adjusted for my own preferences. I can do over 200 solves in one day without feeling any worse than before I started. Pcwiz, this advice seems like it was just copied and pasted. Don't you still average 50+ with LBL?

If you understand what I'm saying, I meant it's only POSSIBLE to hurt your wrists if you cube MORE THAN 100 times a day. I didn't say you are GOING to hurt your wrists, I'm just saying it's POSSIBLE if you do it more than 100 times a day. This guy just started cubing, and it's a POSSIBILITY he could hurt his wrists if he cubes MORE THAN 100 times a day.

Copy and pasted? From where? You have no proof. Don't be mean

I don't use the LBL method, and my average is not 50+. THAT is completely untrue.

 

[immortalcube]

Well, not to break up an argument in process, but.....
I do hope to get to know everyone better.
Yesterday I timed myself around 5 min with Petrus, today it's down to like 2:30, and I had one lucky/brilliant solve that was only like 1:45 with a F2L count of 29, so I'ma keep working on it this week.