Shengshou 5x5 core problems

[samchoochiu]

Does anyone have problems with their shengshou 5x5 core cracking? Or am I just really unlucky?

I disassembled my 5x5 only to find that the core had cracked, I contacted the store and they were very nice to send me a new one. Unfortunately this core is still cracked (but not as cracked as my original one). I just wanted to know if anyone else is experience problems with their shengshou 5x5 core. I was thinking of doing the florian mod on it but am having second thoughts(considering getting a V5), because of the core. I feel as if the core is cracking more and more over time.
btw this is the new white core opposed to the old red core.

Would appreciate to hear what anyone has to say and I'm open to suggestions.

 

[wytefury]

i have had the same problems. there are two possible fixes that i have done. 1) If the core is just cracked on the thin white part on the ends (an not like cracked all the way through the middle of the core) then you can just dremel off that thinner part/ends of the core and itll be fine. Or 2) just put a C4U core in it. Both work just fine. But yeah the new SS5 white cores are weak because they thinned it up on the ends.

 

[samchoochiu]

i have had the same problems. there are two possible fixes that i have done. 1) If the core is just cracked on the thin white part on the ends (an not like cracked all the way through the middle of the core) then you can just dremel off that thinner part/ends of the core and itll be fine. Or 2) just put a C4U core in it. Both work just fine. But yeah the new SS5 white cores are weak because they thinned it up on the ends.

does the cube feel weird with a c4u core? If it works just as good that would be great since I got a few c4y cores.

 

[wytefury]

Thats what i have in one of mine...it feels normal. Its just a core replacement. Its kind of like if you have ever made adjustable cores for a V5, usually people put a C4U core. Just realize there will be gaps in between the core and the centers, so you will be able to see the screw a little. But thats perfectly fine.

 

[JianhanC]

Your original core, how long have you had it? You might have screwed the screw in angled. The new core you received might have been a bad one by chance though, mine and plenty I've seen are pretty good.

 

[wytefury]

Your original core, how long have you had it? You might have screwed the screw in angled. The new core you received might have been a bad one by chance though, mine and plenty I've seen are pretty good.

I've actually received two in a row that were cracked. It's actually pretty common with the new white cores. The old orange cores were better.

 

[AndreasK]

My core was probably cracked when I got it. I only intended to change the springs, but instead I changed to Dayan core, screws and springs.

 

[cubeone]

Have cracked core in mine, too. It's also on the thin part, and that's most likely what makes that side (orange in this case) looser than the others, which can be annoying.

 

[Chrisalead]

I have 3 5x5 shengshous, 2 of the cores are cracked, one way in the middle of the core and the other only the thin part. It's kinda disappointing because every time it was right out of the box...
I should try the C4U cores. Where do you buy them ?

 

[CarlBrannen]

Every 5x5 SS core I've looked at (maybe 3 or 4) has cracks in the thin part. I find it rather annoying as there's no reason for that part to be so thin. And it's so thin that it's inevitable that it's going to crack (even before you put a load on it).

So I've been thinking about reinforcing the thin part of the spider so it can't crack. Have various ideas. What I'd like is to put a little cylinder of metal around the thin part and epoxe it into place.

The thing that's stopped me from starting this project is thinking that the cracks are just cosmetic, it's the thick part of the spider that keeps the screws pointed straight.

 

[Kattenvriendin]

I have just opened up my brand new 5x5 and yup, cracked thin part. I will fix that with the Dremel as suggested, otherwise it is a matter of waiting till the crack starts to split the rest of the core.

I haven't gone further in the disassembly than this yet, so we'll see what I will find further down (edit: the core itself is a-ok, only one split thin part. I measured the gap with a micrometer for easy reassemble and will remove all those thins with Dremel).

Being the show-you person that I am, I took a few pictures:
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o518/eadwine/Cubing/crack.jpg

Here is a good look at the actual crack:
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o518/eadwine/Cubing/crack2.jpg

And here is a picture of a proper thin part (no cracks):
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o518/eadwine/Cubing/crack3.jpg

That last one was hard to photograph, but you can see there is a thinner part on the viewer's left side, I want to bet that is the weak spot.

Bummer to say the least!


Does anyone have a direct link to those replacement cores?

Oh found a topic: http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?27805-Buying-C4U-A-AV-core

http://lightake.com/detail.do/sku.MHZ_Core___Screws___Springs_Set__New_-29962

SUPPOSE we get that one, which end of the spring goes in the core? There is a thicker and a thinner side, or is it self explanatory once you have that thing in your hands?



A few hours later, here is a picture of the Dremeled SS core inside a partially assembled cube. It works like a peach, and no more worrying about a core maybe splitting. The Dremel with the sanding drum and a little bit of very fine sandpaper did the trick in less than minutes:

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o518/eadwine/Cubing/crack4.jpg