[Video] How to make your DaYan ZhanChi smooth - without sanding!

[Eazoon]

ok, first off, this mod really helps. second, do NOT take out the washers unless you lubed the core (see crazybadcubers video). third, the way this works is the springs aren't compressed as much due to more space. It has the same feeling as it would if you had softer springs. And fourth, if you like tight tensions, dont do this, it gives it kinda a loose feeling. if you need alot of corner cutting, don't do this, it makes it smooth, but you loose some corner cutting. thats all i have to say...

btw,i left the torps in. I already modded them so that they don' make it lock up.

I just relubed the core and i think I like it with washers. but this is still a good mod for people who like loose cubes.

 

[NOLAcuber]

I have not done THIS mod. But have done the 48 point edge mod, corner mod, center mod and sanded the base of the corners and my ZC is super smooth. DIY lubed w Traxxes 30k. I am a lil afraid to take out the washers as for creating a gouge in the center pieces. My guhong is pretty smooth, but prefer the ZC. No clickyness and no lockups.

 

[jonlin]

There is no gouge.
The washers do eventually scratch up so much that your cube will slow down.

 

[maderito]

Tried this mod on a recently purchased Zhanchi while at a cube competition. The mod is non-destructive - so nothing to lose. The Zhanchi was straight out of the box, assembled w/o mods or lub.

I was surprised. Already, I prefer it over my favorite Zhanchi which has no mods, intact torpedos, and a standard Lubix lube on the core and parts. I was perfectly happy with it.

Observations on this new mod:
1. The mod is very straightforward and requires minimal experience with disassembly and lubing a cube. It is reversible!
2. The cube is lighter and quieter.
3. I'm not convinced that the turning is actually smoother - although it definitely sounds smoother. My regular Zhanchi still rotates further with a good finger flick compared to the modded cube. However, this is partly a function of how I tensioned the cube to feel both stable and smooth.
3. From #3, tensioning is important for this mod.
4. The cube cuts less well on testing compared to the regular Zhanchi, but that doesn't seem to get in the way of a solve, practicing for rapid TPS, or accurately completing longish algorithms.
5. No pops or lockups so far.
6. No data on potential wear on the plastic core because of lack of washers - probably won't know for 3-6 months.
7. I don't think my routine solves times (about 35-45 seconds) will be affected.
8. I'll probably wind up using both cubes equally - favoring at least a bit this new cube, acknowledging its positive "environmental impact" -- light weight, low noise, and hopefully less cleaning and re-lubing.

 

[KobaltKour]

Did you just spray CRC with the screw still in or did you take the screw out?

 

[Aston]

I have not done THIS mod. But have done the 48 point edge mod, corner mod, center mod and sanded the base of the corners and my ZC is super smooth. DIY lubed w Traxxes 30k. I am a lil afraid to take out the washers as for creating a gouge in the center pieces. My guhong is pretty smooth, but prefer the ZC. No clickyness and no lockups.

I haven't done this "Mod" yet and I am neutral about it. I would advise anyone to do this just because it is so easy to put the torpedoes and washers back in. If your center piece does get mangled because of the spring, the washer will cover it up anyway. This whole argument could be resolved if everyone who opposes this "Mod" simply tried it themselves. No need to ask other people how their Zhanchi feels after this modification; doing it yourself lets you quickly decide whether or not you like this "Mod".
Thanks,
Kyle.

 

[DavidCubie]

Thanks for the video, now my cube seems faster

 

[CarlBrannen]

Thanks for bumping this thread, I wasn't aware of it.

I'm pretty sure it all boils down to giving the springs a little more room. This is almost but not quite the same thing as shortening springs.

I'm not convinced that this is going to wear out the center cubes because if that's the high friction end of the spring, it will just rotate underneath the screw. And like a poster noted above, if you do start wearing the center cube all you have to do to fix this is put the washers back in.

I shorten the springs in my big cubes all the time. I also put little cube springs in big cubes and the like. Every now and then I have springs I want to use but they're too short. I lengthen them by making the washers thicker. I do this by adding plastic washers underneath the steel washers.

If you shorten springs by just cutting them, you end up with a 90 degree angle that might dig into your washer or screw head (or plastic if no washer). So after cutting springs I trim them so that the part that touches the washer or screw head is close to flat.

 

[uniacto]

Or you could just get a Guhong :3

 

[Nico55]

I lubed my dayan zhanchi with lubix the second i got it. Ive had it for about a month and a half and this happened...

I think the black gunk is from the lube corroding the washer... But i dont get how because i have silicone based lubricant. Im gonna take out all the washers now but does anyone have any other suggestions