The One-Answer Question Thread [closed]

[d4m4s74]

What's a "better" way to speed up on the F2L, learning algorythms (and practicing lookahead), or keeping it intuitive (and practicing lookahead)?
I'm trying to get cross+f2l down from 20 to around 15 or lower before the amsterdam open. I know it will be hard, but I practice 24 hours a week (in between calls at work, on the bus, waiting at school, whenever I have the chance)

 

[TheMachanga]

What's a "better" way to speed up on the F2L, learning algorythms (and practicing lookahead), or keeping it intuitive (and practicing lookahead)?
I'm trying to get cross+f2l down from 20 to around 15 or lower before the amsterdam open. I know it will be hard, but I practice 24 hours a week (in between calls at work, on the bus, waiting at school, whenever I have the chance)

You shouldn't learn algs for f2l I believe. Just make them up yourself (without writing them out). Keep the intuitive and go a bit slower and make the transitions smoother. I recommend looking at some example solves by some faster people. When you see a case solved differently than how you do it, consider doing those moves next time it comes up.

 

[unirox13]

I'm in dire need of advice on tensioning an X-cube. Normally I tension cubes by looking at the core and seeing how far I can pull the center pieces out, but for the X-cube I had to do some hardcore tightening and loosening all through the construction (to get it to stay together). Now I have no idea how to balance the tension between the different sides. I'm having lots of problems with the inner turns being too grindy if it's tight and too locky if it's loose, but I'm thinking that may be because the tensions are uneven. Thanks.

The screw needs to be in the exact center of the piece. If you pull out your sides and look at the screw you'll likely notice that all six of the screws are leaning off to one side or the other. Those screws need to be in the exact center(or as close to it) in order for the cube to be equally tensioned. Best bet is to either get a thin phillips screw driver and try to tension the sides while the cube is assembled or to completely disassemble. Put in your edge pieces and then begin tensioning the screws so as to move them all closer to the center.

 

[Godmil]

The screw needs to be in the exact center of the piece. If you pull out your sides and look at the screw you'll likely notice that all six of the screws are leaning off to one side or the other....

Thanks, that's great advice. Just to be clear about it, say I'm looking at the U face, and I pull the L and R sides out and notice that the screw is a little to the left, does that mean I.... tighten the right?

 

[peterbone]

What's the average number of turns for big cubes using the reduction method. I'm particularly interested in 6x6x6 but a formula for any size would be good.

 

[unirox13]

or both. In fact it may be best to unscrew all 6 sides almost completely and then start over being very very sure to tighten each screw the exact same amount each time.

 

[Godmil]

or both. In fact it may be best to unscrew all 6 sides almost completely and then start over being very very sure to tighten each screw the exact same amount each time.

That's a good point, if I do one at a time I'm sure I could take the screw all the way out without it falling apart. Thanks.

EDIT: Yep, that worked a treat, since the X-cube is pretty solidly interlocked I could take one screw all the way out (until I heard the click of the end of the thread) then 6.5 turns in (on each side) and I'm now in a great position to do some tweaking. Thanks for the help.

 

[TinCanLizard]

I am solving a 4x4 supercube.
I am looking for an algorithm for the 4x4 permutation parity that does not mess up the centres.

The site I've used is: http://michael-gottlieb.blogspot.com/2008/05/solving-4x4x4-and-5x5x5-supercubes.html

The algorithm suggested is: x' 2U' R F' U R' F 2U 2D F' R U' F R' 2D' x

I am executing this algorithm where 2U' = (Uu)'. I find it fixes the perm parity but leaves the cube half scrambled as a 3x3. I then resolve it as a 3x3.

Am executing this algorithm wrong?

I have also tried using the standard 4x4 parity algorithm: r2 U2 r2 (Uu)2 r2 u2 and then fix the centres afterwards. But this takes a long time.

Is there an algorithm that fixes the perm parity and leaves the 4x4 super cube in its solved state? Thanks.

 

[freshcuber]

As far as your first question is concerned, yes hknowstore.com is pretty reliable. Like puzzleaddictions.com it is actually a storefront. This one is in Hong Kong though, hence HK. Shipping to the US is around 1-2 weeks I believe.

 

[minime12358]

I just got my v2, and I noticed that with a little modding of the centers of the shells, (shaving them down, that is) it could cut corners much better, and would lock up less. At what point is it not competition legal? I've heard that it is as long as you cant feel the difference between each color, and that it is solved and scrambled like the puzzle in question, however, couldn't you make a really funky shaped one/ shave off the center till it a 45-45-90 triangle?

 

[cincyaviation]

I am thinking of buying a stackmat from amazon, and I noticed this notice in the description:
Note: These Timers, purchased separately on the Speed Stacks website are the ONLY Timers with a data port for connecting to a Tournament Display and are the only Timers with the Memory Feature. Timers sold as part of StackPacks (whether purchased through this website or a retail store) do not have a data port or the memory feature.
I am not completely comprehending this notice. Does that mean that this timer has memory and data port features? It doesn't mention a timer purchased separately through another website, in this case amazon.

also, my previous question, yet to be answered:

It's not sold in a stackpack, so it has a data port. Also, i find Acube much easier to use than cube explorer.

 

[Cyrus C.]

"how do you generate OLL algorithms in cube explorer?"

Draw a solved F2L on the cube. Draw the OLL case. Then ctrl click the rest of the stickers, this makes it so CE doesn't preserve the permutation. You'll have a list appear, if you want to restrict the turns made fill in the bubbles.

 

[sa11297]

is applying stickers that hard? (it looks easy on video) my only concern is that they wont be placed straight therefore looking overall sloppy

 

[collinbxyz]

Is there anywhere to buy the old A-I not on Ebay?

 

[collinbxyz]

is applying stickers that hard? (it looks easy on video) my only concern is that they wont be placed straight therefore looking overall sloppy

Not really. Just go slowly and it will be fine.

 

[Andrew Ricci]

is applying stickers that hard? (it looks easy on video) my only concern is that they wont be placed straight therefore looking overall sloppy

It isn't too hard once you get the hang of it. Just make sure you take your time and place them accurately, as you may have a hard time removing and adjusting them.

 

[MichaelP.]

is applying stickers that hard? (it looks easy on video) my only concern is that they wont be placed straight therefore looking overall sloppy

I like to use a ruler or knife (something thin), and I stick a corner of the sticker to the ruler and then position it so I can just push down to put it in place. Basically, like this.

 

[tx789]

I said a few days ago but my megaminx center cap broke off (I'll try and get some photos up) and I want to meld to the cylinder thing

 

[TMOY]

Is there an algorithm that fixes the perm parity and leaves the 4x4 super cube in its solved state? Thanks.

If you want a pure alg: x' l' U2 l' D2 l U2 l' D2 M2 D2 r' U2 r D2 r' U2 r' x (that's two 3-cycle comms merged together).

If you want a shorter alg and don't care about rotating whole centers: Lw2 F2 U2 l2 U2 F2 Lw2 rotates the F and U centers by a half-turn.

 

[da25centz]

is applying stickers that hard? (it looks easy on video) my only concern is that they wont be placed straight therefore looking overall sloppy

application tape is awesome