what are some main differences between tiles and stickers?

[Jhong253]

Hello all,

After using PVC stickers sold at rubiks.com for awhile, I'm getting tired of them. I looked into some stickers and stuff, and I noticed there were tiles also. What are some differences between tiles and stickers? Do tiles last longer/shorter? I'm assuming that tiles are (naturally) going to be heavier than stickers... Does that generally have any negative (or positive) effects on cubing times?

 

[shelley]

They're more solid than stickers and therefore are more resistant to chipping and peeling.

Get a set and see if you like them. Stickers vs. tiles is always a personal preference. I personally think tiles feel weird and kind of clunky, but others swear by them.

 

[rjohnson_8ball]

A cube with textured tiles (or even smooth tiles) looks amazing, a real treat. I slightly prefer stickers for speed, although the stickers won't last as long. The bright stickers at cubesmith.com are worth the money because the colors are exciting and easier to see in dim light. The stickers at cubesmith.com last longer than those from Rubiks.com, and far longer than the laminated stickers.

Like Shelley says, buy some different ones from cubesmith.com and experiment for yourself.

 

[PCwizCube]

Similar Question has been asked:
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4385

Tiles, if put on correctly, can last forever on your cube. That means no peeling. It does add weight, but most people get used to it, and it doesn't make much of a difference. Also, the red and orange tiles are a little harder to tell apart. And, sometimes the tiles lose their color if they come in contact with silicone spray.

All stickers will have to be changed some time. Even the best stickers have to be changed maybe at least once a year. You don't have to change tiles unless you spray them with silicone spray or something like that..

 

[starmountsoccer717]

i have textured tiles from cubesmith and i love them. they are a little heavier but i think that they are much better and steadier. plus i like the feel of them.

 

[Rabid]

My stickers are starting to disintegrate. I imagine textured times would be slightly better for finger tricks.

 

[Garmon]

Also, the red and orange tiles are a little harder to tell apart.

That's not good since I'm colourblind, and I ordered tile set!

 

[Asmium]

I've had my tiles for over two months and they still look like the first day I put them on.

My cube has been droped twice too and the tiles havn't been chipped so I'd say they're pretty chip resistant.

 

[Winston]

Tiles should last much longer than standard Cubesmith stickers, but just be careful when pasting them on, misaligned tiles can cause pain to the skin under your nails when handling the cube

Yes, I believe there's a slight difference in weight of stickers to tiles, but it does not have any negative side-effects on my speed.

I would support stickers though, they're cheap and good but most unfortunately, they aren't durable as compared to both my smooth and textured tile set

However, this is just a personal opinion, as such I strongly suggest you to try out tiles.

 

[Jhong253]

Ok. It sounds like the general preference is leaning towards smooth tiles... But how much longer do they last? My PVC stickers are about 2 years old (I cubed quite a bit during that time) and they are beginning to lose their stickiness now. So unless tiles last a lot longer than that, I don't think there's any point in tiles if they are a lot more expensive than the
So approximately, how long do the tiles last? Like do they last a number of years?

Oh, and where's the best place to get tiles? It seems that everyone is saying that cubesmith is the best place.

 

[cookingfat]

I currently have two 3x3x3 cubes, one with cubesmith stickers and the other with cubesmith smooth tiles. I stickered/tiled them on the same day, and although I hardly used the stickered cube it's already starting to show some nicks and chips. The tiled cube just looks brand new and it feels like it will be like that forever.

The only downsides are that the orange tile is not quite as bright as an orange sticker, and the tiles are slippier than stickers. Stickers provide much better grip. Although they say 'smooth tiles' they are not completely smooth and have a slight texture to them. I would like to know of somewhere that sells completely smooth tiles as I think they would provide better grip.

also bear in mind that a set of tiles is $4.50 and stickers are $1.25, they're not that expensive really.

 

[brunson]

Ok. It sounds like the general preference is leaning towards smooth tiles... But how much longer do they last? My PVC stickers are about 2 years old (I cubed quite a bit during that time) and they are beginning to lose their stickiness now. So unless tiles last a lot longer than that, I don't think there's any point in tiles if they are a lot more expensive than the
So approximately, how long do the tiles last? Like do they last a number of years?

Ridiculously long. I have a tiled cube that I'd estimate I have somewhere north of 12,000 solves on and (other than the grime that's collected around the tile edges) looks essentially the same as when I built it.

Oh, and where's the best place to get tiles? It seems that everyone is saying that cubesmith is the best place.

I'm not aware of anyone else that sells tiles. He buys the 3M lexan sheets and has them specially die cut. Making the dies is expensive, you have to sell a lot of tiles to make that money back.

 

[PCwizCube]

Ok. It sounds like the general preference is leaning towards smooth tiles... But how much longer do they last? My PVC stickers are about 2 years old (I cubed quite a bit during that time) and they are beginning to lose their stickiness now. So unless tiles last a lot longer than that, I don't think there's any point in tiles if they are a lot more expensive than the
So approximately, how long do the tiles last? Like do they last a number of years?

Oh, and where's the best place to get tiles? It seems that everyone is saying that cubesmith is the best place.

Did you not read my post? I was not exaggerating. If you put on tiles correctly, they will last on FOREVER. That means no tile/sticker changing, EVER. I'm not kidding.

And yes, most people agree that Cubesmith is the best place to get tiles.

 

[rjohnson_8ball]

As far as tiles go, I prefer textured tiles rather than smooth. As far as distinguishing colors, I suggest cubesmith's set of bright stickers.

Tiles last as long as the sticky glue underneath them. Spray propellants will cause stickers to bubble and tiles to tarnish, and it will eat away the glue underneath.

The cost of tiles and stickers is low compared to cost of cubes. I would experiment with what cubesmith offers.

 

[Jhong253]

Great! Thanks for the advice. And Cube Fan, I thought you were exaggerating. . Well, I don't use spray lubricants, I use shock oil for lubing my cubes. But anyway, I read that if the tiles get under your nails, it gives you the worst pain in your life??? Now I'm scared... Any ideas on how to prevent that? Oh, and r johnson said tiles last just as long as the glues... if the glue run out but the tile is fine, what type of glue would you use to put the tile back on?

 

[PCwizCube]

But anyway, I read that if the tiles get under your nails, it gives you the worst pain in your life??? Now I'm scared... Any ideas on how to prevent that?

Let me think of this one.... ummm... HAVE SHORT NAILS!

I don't know about you guys but I'm a violin player so if you don't have short nails your strings can break (I had to learn that the hard way for like 5 strings ).

 

[Winston]

Just align the tiles carefully before pasting them onto the cube surface, you do not have the option of plucking them out once they're pasted; you'll weaken the adhesive. You should not have the problem of tiles getting under your nails while speecubing unless the misaligned tiles jut out way too much, off the cubie. Hope this helps

To your second question, you might want to visit this thread: http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6974&highlight=tiles+glue