Problem with Gans Air 356

Razcube

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Apr 1, 2017
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Has anyone had this issue with the Gans air 356?

Doing M turns and suddenly your fingernail gets caught between the block and it's shell. To be specific, if you look at one block piece, you can see that it has a shell part that had to be sided in like a sleeve to put together.

The problem is that the block it sides into, is a bit higher than the shell part so that my nail catches it and lifts it up a bit and it hurts. I also have average length fingernails and I don't see this problem anywhere.

I tried adjusting tension and switching the spring pieces and nothing changed. Should I return it or is there something I can do about it?

**Update (also read last post for solution)

I realized the way I do M turns is different, I use the tip of my finger instead of the side that doesn't make contact with the fingernail. Going to try to change this.

I still like to know if anyone had this problem.
 
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That's called a cap.
Most cubes use what's called a split-piece construction, where the separate pieces are continuous from the stalk to the face. That's why you don't have that issue on most other cubes, but inversely, it's one of the reasons the Gans Air is so smooth.

I'd check the stalk 'tensions' for the cubies. Each piece has a screw through the center that holds the three components together, and you can adjust those screws to change the distance between the stalk and the cap. The body usually pushes itself flush against the cap, but the looser the screw is the easier it is to separate them.

Other than that, I'd just use it more to see if it gets better. Seems like, as the Air breaks in, the pieces settle more securely together. I used to catch my nails on the squared-off part of the corner cap (separating it from the body), but now that doesn't happen.
Well, either break-in or just subconscious changes in turning style.
 
That's called a cap.
Most cubes use what's called a split-piece construction, where the separate pieces are continuous from the stalk to the face. That's why you don't have that issue on most other cubes, but inversely, it's one of the reasons the Gans Air is so smooth.

I'd check the stalk 'tensions' for the cubies. Each piece has a screw through the center that holds the three components together, and you can adjust those screws to change the distance between the stalk and the cap. The body usually pushes itself flush against the cap, but the looser the screw is the easier it is to separate them.

Other than that, I'd just use it more to see if it gets better. Seems like, as the Air breaks in, the pieces settle more securely together. I used to catch my nails on the squared-off part of the corner cap (separating it from the body), but now that doesn't happen.
Well, either break-in or just subconscious changes in turning style.

Yes I've tried tightening the stalk but I couldn't tighten it more since I noticed the screw digging into the plastic. Would you recommend gluing it down?

I'll also try and break it in and change the way I M turn.
 
Yes I've tried tightening the stalk but I couldn't tighten it more since I noticed the screw digging into the plastic. Would you recommend gluing it down?

I'll also try and break it in and change the way I M turn.
You could try gluing it down, that is how the Air U and UM are assembled of course. Just depends on how squeamish you are about doing anything permanent to your cube.
 
Would like to update that after gluing down those caps down which prevents my fingernail from getting caught between it, another issue came which was those pointy corner edges that are near the center. It still caused catching but I eliminated the problem by sanding it down a good amount.

I think it actually made the cube faster or more flexible with more room around the center.
 
Would like to update that after gluing down those caps down which prevents my fingernail from getting caught between it, another issue came which was those pointy corner edges that are near the center. It still caused catching but I eliminated the problem by sanding it down a good amount.

I think it actually made the cube faster or more flexible with more room around the center.
The squared-off corner catching is a well known fact about the Air. Most people just let their turning adapt and the problem goes away.
It's not a problem with the UM version, though. At least from what I've heard.
 
The squared-off corner catching is a well known fact about the Air. Most people just let their turning adapt and the problem goes away.
It's not a problem with the UM version, though. At least from what I've heard.

That's good to hear.

Thanks for your input!
 
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