Speedcubing HELP

[clericlaw]

i need help to make my store bought cube go faster. what is breaking in ??? should i sand my rubiks cube right after i buy it? how do i sand a rubiks cube? how should i lubricate it?


i use to have a store bought cube and my fastest was 1.30 mins but some stupid guy threw it on the floor and the centre piece smashed off so i need to buy a new cube ( i also lost a edge)

btw i cant be bothered buying a diy coz i like original store bought ones lol

i dont know how but my old cube went fast what i did was oil it then silicon it then i wiped it al off and i siliconed it all sides on each cube itself and it went fast lol.

 

[EE-Cuber]

i need help to make my store bought cube go faster. what is breaking in ??? should i sand my rubiks cube right after i buy it? how do i sand a rubiks cube? how should i lubricate it?


i use to have a store bought cube and my fastest was 1.30 mins but some stupid guy threw it on the floor and the centre piece smashed off so i need to buy a new cube ( i also lost a edge)

btw i cant be bothered buying a diy coz i like original store bought ones lol

i dont know how but my old cube went fast what i did was oil it then silicon it then i wiped it al off and i siliconed it all sides on each cube itself and it went fast lol.

Breaking in = using it for a susbtantial period of time. It will become looser over time. How long? that depend on how much you use it.

I would not sand your cube since I dont think it is necessary to make it turn smooth. Others have different opinions.

Use some silicon spray (CRC is what I use). Take a couple pieces out and spray some in. Then spend some time working it in by scrambling/solving/whatever. Repeat a few times..

After you use some silicon, it might seem stiffer at first but keep working it, it will loosen up for you. Only after you do this, if you are still not happy with it, then maybe consider sanding.. but give it some time to break in.

 

[Bomber]

I am wondering why you are trying to change your Rubik's Store-bought into something DIYs do almost naturally.

My Store-bought is excellent, as good as any of my DIYs; but it took time and effort. It was originally bought in France whilst on holiday, I didn't have any silicone but overall it didn't turn badly. After about 1 1/2 months as I improved I decided to lube it. I chose Vaseline, I advise you to do the same, it will wear down your cube as well as making it a lot faster so all good. Don't use it forever though, after about 1 or 2 months clean it all out thoroughly. You should leave a clean cube ready for the next lubrication step.

Now lubricate the cube with silicone, most silicone will do. You might want to try BadMePhisto's method; I found it has the best results. Work it in and cube away! The cube should continue to improve for a very long time, but for it to get as good as mine you'll have to use it every day for 6 months, literally.

 

[be_the_truffle]

I have a DIY type-C speed cube, but I am currently working on improving my store-bought Rubik's, if only for my own amusement.

What I've done is I've tried locking it up and turning it. Misaligned turning seems to help loosen it up. I also used a popsicle stick, sticking it in between cubies in a straight line, though I've heard this isn't the best.

I also sanded each and every piece. Ugh, it took forever! But it's worth it. It's already improved. I used some Vaseline as lube, though you have to clean it out after a month or so.

 

[JohnnyA]

Storeboughts are alright. But, they can never really cut corners like a DIY since they have rivets instead of springs. It's probably not worth it if you want to use a storebought as your speedcube since it will never be able to function as well as a DIY. However I admit it is fun to play with. My storebought (1.5 years old and very used now!) is smoother than any of my DIYs simply because I keep changing DIY to try and find a really good one. However it can't cut corners at all.

 

[holypasta]

breaking in a cube: the same definition this phrase has in other areas of life. just use it until the friction on the inside starts to wear down on the internal surfaces, making it smoother.

sanding it: i don't recommend this. it's messy, and pointless if you use the cube often enough for it to break itself in. also, it can leave internal surfaces rough and unfinished.

lubing it: don't use vaseline, because it forms globs on the inside of the cube and dissolves plastic over time. don't use oil, because it forms globs on the inside of the cube. USE SILICONE!!! not really any negative aspects of silicone, other than that it's 2% harder to obtain than other lubes. don't use WD-40, because it can dissolve your cube even quicker than vaseline.

many types of silicone: there is pure silicone, CRC, jig-a-loo, and special doctored silicone designed especially for cubes. i recommend puzzleproz 2-oz lube or puzzleproz 8-oz lube.

on using storeboughts rather than DIYs: yes, some people prefer storeboughts. it is true that, once lubed, they can become even faster than DIYs. however, they will never cut corners as well, and they will always lock frequently. i like puzzleproz type a DIY.