[Help Thread] What is a quiet 3x3 cube?

[gavinz]

Is that all? I was hoping it might be something radical and ground-breaking!

Sorry, you shouldn't post about 3 replies to 3 different posts. Could you post one full reply quoting all those posts from now on?

 

[Competition Cuber]

Is that all? I was hoping it might be something radical and ground-breaking!

And thats not? There might be something that I don't know of though.

 

[Dash Lambda]

I can't find any info on this on their website = https://thecubicle.us/cubicle-labs-c-228.html

Is the Boron treatment something like a coating of Teflon which will keep the cube permanently lubricated?

That's because it isn't released yet. Chris Tran has videos on the project on his YouTube channel. You might be interested in this video, based solely on the title.

Essentially, it's a treatment that alters the chemistry of the plastic itself to change the feeling, rather than coating it like lubricant (though Teflon is a big part of Lubicle One, another project of theirs). He explains it pretty well in this video.

 

[Abare Killer]

Great work bro! What size magnets did you use and what kind of foam?
Thanks!

I just used nornal 4mmx2mm n35 neodymium magents, as for the foam, any foam would work, it just blocks out the sound of the hollow pieces and btw, I only foam modded it on the edge piece due to the face that the Valk has holes in the corner so I do not recommend putting any there. Hope this helped!

Oh yes, and if you guys are wondering, my normal Gan Air and the new DIY Gan Air is the same, they are both really quiet, this proves that adding magnets does not make it any louder so feel free to put magnets in your Gan Air

 

[Dash Lambda]

Oh yes, and if you guys are wondering, my normal Gan Air and the new DIY Gan Air is the same, they are both really quiet, this proves that adding magnets does not make it any louder so feel free to put magnets in your Gan Air

I guess that proves that it's the combination of snappy magnets and hollow pieces in the UM that make it as relatively loud as it is, since I definitely hear the magnets.
Though I suppose we can only say that with certainty if we also compare a base Ultimate, but I don't have one of those~

 

[Abare Killer]

I guess that proves that it's the combination of snappy magnets and hollow pieces in the UM that make it as relatively loud as it is, since I definitely hear the magnets.
Though I suppose we can only say that with certainty if we also compare a base Ultimate, but I don't have one of those~

It might only be the UM that you hear the magnets because for my DIY one, I don't hear the magnetic click sound, I only feel it. Luckily I made a DIY instead of the UM because I really dislike the the weight of the normal Air, even the weight of the DIY Air with magnets is a bit too light for my liking.

 

[Perfectionist]

That's because it isn't released yet. Chris Tran has videos on the project on his YouTube channel. You might be interested in this video, based solely on the title.

Essentially, it's a treatment that alters the chemistry of the plastic itself to change the feeling, rather than coating it like lubricant (though Teflon is a big part of Lubicle One, another project of theirs). He explains it pretty well in this video.

Interesting... but it seems like a lot of effort for minimal improvement?

Why modify the plastic to be softer (which no doubt will add significantly to the cost) when it would be easier for the manufacturer to just use a softer plastic to begin with? I'm sure if the market was big enough for a different feeling material, then the bigger cube companies would mass produce a new range using it?

Those videos did bring up some others which show Chris working on a MagLev system - that definitely would be cool! Unfortunately it seems to add extra weight, but hopefully they can figure a way around that?

Personally, I hope somebody eventually designs a cube which never needs to be lubed - I'm sure it's possible and would sell like crazy! (Oh and a cube which is perfectly silent too!)

 

[Dash Lambda]

Interesting... but it seems like a lot of effort for minimal improvement?

Why modify the plastic to be softer (which no doubt will add significantly to the cost) when it would be easier for the manufacturer to just use a softer plastic to begin with? I'm sure if the market was big enough for a different feeling material, then the bigger cube companies would mass produce a new range using it?

Because the manufacturers don't change their plastics like that. The boron project is supposed to give people choice where previously there was none, and reasonably would not be from the manufacturer.

Those videos did bring up some others which show Chris working on a MagLev system - that definitely would be cool! Unfortunately it seems to add extra weight, but hopefully they can figure a way around that?

Unfortunately, the weight isn't something they can solve. Neodymium magnets are pretty much the strongest per weight magnets available, and the strength of the magnet is dependent on the amount of material present -So, removing a significant amount of weight would remove a significant amount of the force. That is not to say the problem can't be solved, as there is plenty of research being done to find more potent materials for permanent magnets, but that's not in the Cubicle's ballpark.

 

[Competition Cuber]

Interesting... but it seems like a lot of effort for minimal improvement?

If you can figure out an easier way to bring back the plastic of OP Dayans, please, just let me know.

 

[MiaSponseller]

Hi all,
as some of you might know, I'm not very active in competitive speedcubing anymore. Partly because of lack of time to practice and because I'm old
While I started practicing for the WC I noticed (again) that practicing in public can sometimes be considered annoying by people who are busy with something else. Especially my Valk3 is nice and loud.
With all the new cubes on the martket, I simply lost the overview of what is out there.

What do you think is the most silent cube? It should still be a top-notch speedcube of course!

If you overlube a gans 356 air, it makes it much quiter

 

[gavinz]

My GTS2 that I magnetised yesterday is very quiet. ALl I did to make it even quieter was adding lube. I may think about MagLev tensions though it may be heavy

 

[Perfectionist]

Because the manufacturers don't change their plastics like that.

I'm sure they would - if they saw a nice profit in it for them!

Hopefully Cubicle can show there is a big enough demand for softer feeling plastic (like they did with Magnetic Cubes) - which the mass producers will notice and start to supply themselves.

The boron project is supposed to give people choice where previously there was none, and reasonably would not be from the manufacturer.

But didn't Dayan make similar feeling cubes in the past?
Why did they decide to change the material they use?
Perhaps the softer plastic have inherent problems like lower durability and higher cost etc?

Unfortunately, the weight isn't something they can solve. Neodymium magnets are pretty much the strongest per weight magnets available, and the strength of the magnet is dependent on the amount of material present -So, removing a significant amount of weight would remove a significant amount of the force. That is not to say the problem can't be solved, as there is plenty of research being done to find more potent materials for permanent magnets, but that's not in the Cubicle's ballpark.

I was thinking they could make a new mould which encapsulates the magnet (so reducing the chance it will work loose if not glued properly) and has a much thinner section where the magnet is held - therefore smaller magnets could be used as it will generate the same force through a shorter cross-section of plastic...?

 

[Perfectionist]

If you can figure out an easier way to bring back the plastic of OP Dayans, please, just let me know.

Maybe try persuading Dayan to bring it back into production?

If they see people interested in buying, then I'm sure they would be interested in selling!

The question is however, whether there will be "enough" people interested - as they will need to manufacture in volume...

 

[Dash Lambda]

I'm sure they would - if they saw a nice profit in it for them!

Hopefully Cubicle can show there is a big enough demand for softer feeling plastic (like they did with Magnetic Cubes) - which the mass producers will notice and start to supply themselves.

But didn't Dayan make similar feeling cubes in the past?
Why did they decide to change the material they use?
Perhaps the softer plastic have inherent problems like lower durability and higher cost etc?

They know full well what people think, it's just not economical to keep switching around plastics. Think of it like stickerless shades, except even more work to change -Everyone has a preference, and if you try to accommodate that you either fall short because you can't make all the options or you lose money with over-complicated manufacturing and stock problems. I prefer that companies use whatever plastic they think is best and put all their attention into design and features rather than worry about how some people want a softer plastic and some people want a harder plastic and so-on.

Maybe we'll see future puzzles come in different plastics like we're starting to see more mainstream cubes use magnets, though personally I doubt it. Only a subset of people wish their favorite cube used a different plastic, and that's why we have Project Boron.

 

[Perfectionist]

Maybe we'll see future puzzles come in different plastics like we're starting to see more mainstream cubes use magnets, though personally I doubt it. Only a subset of people wish their favorite cube used a different plastic, and that's why we have Project Boron.

Exactly - unlike Magnets, I doubt there will be much demand for softer plastic so mass production is unlikely... in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the market is so small, that Cubicle decide to discontinue the project!

 

[Knoekus]

I'd have to second the Gans Air, it's the quietest cube I own.
It can get pretty damn fast if you set it up that way, which I love, but it's too catchy to be my main, so it's officially my "if I pull out my GTS then the person sitting next to me will punch me" cube.

Incidentally, does anyone know how to set it up to be as quiet as is technically possible? Heavy or light lubricant, which springs, that sort of stuff.

I'd say for your cube to be as quiet as possible, you should use some heavy lube. This will cause your cube to be a bit slower but the lube to be more noticeable and therefore probably reducing sound better than light lube.
When choosing springs, you should probably go with loose settings. If you set your cube to high tensions, it pulls the pieces of the cube more towards each other, increasing friction and therefore probably sound too. Also, corner cutting will be less rough with loose tensions, resulting in less sound again. These are assumptions though.

 

[Kalius]

Hey guys,

I wanted to revive this post after a few months

Any other ideas? I've seen reviews and the TangLong looks pretty quiet, but some people here don't seem to think alike. Gans Air SM looks idea but it's way too expensive. How about the YJ MGC?

 

[Sion]

Hey guys,

I wanted to revive this post after a few months

Any other ideas? I've seen reviews and the TangLong looks pretty quiet, but some people here don't seem to think alike. Gans Air SM looks idea but it's way too expensive. How about the YJ MGC?

If you want a cheap Gan cube, get a 356sv2 lite. They are pretty darn quiet. They are just heavier and non magnetic.

The MGC is louder, but the actual sound it emits isn't as "intrusive," if that makes any sense to you. It is pretty muted.

The Valk Power is pretty similar and rather muted sounding too, somewhat quieter and more fluid than the MGC.

The tanglong isn't too quiet, but for the sake of a speedcube, it is awesome.

The quietest cube from experience is the lunhui, but it is not competitive anymore on the modern market.

Hope this helps!

 

[Kalius]

If you want a cheap Gan cube, get a 356sv2 lite.

I do not necessarily require a Gans, but thanks for the recommendations

I was thinking of getting the Valk 3 instead of the Valk 3 Power, after checking some recommendations, but I guess is not as quiet.

 

[Sion]

I do not necessarily require a Gans, but thanks for the recommendations

I was thinking of getting the Valk 3 instead of the Valk 3 Power, after checking some recommendations, but I guess is not as quiet.

Yeah. Here's an explanation:

In the valk 3 there are air pockets under the squared off ledges of each corner. This does give the cube a more tactile and structured feel, but it also gives the valk 3 a very high pitched sound that I am sure would annoy someone who wasn't into cubing.

The valk power has fully sealed corners, hence ridding that sound. However, it is a little floppier and heavier because of the metal core inside. Nonetheless, it is a great great cube that I like just a little more than the valk 3.