Speedsolving.com Wiki - User contributions [en]

WitEden Type C 2x2x2

2014-08-28T21:09:44Z

DeanoM50810:

The Type C WitTwo is one of the earlier 2x2 speedcubes which still remains popular with numerous speed cubers. This cube is one of the more expensive cubes but has a great feel to it. However, the pieces do catch pretty often, and the stickers tend to get chipped due to this. The stickers are also quite dull to look at compared to other cubes, and is difficult to solve in low light. It is generally accepted that the V1 is much better than the V2.

MoYu LingPo 2x2x2

2014-08-28T21:07:11Z

DeanoM50810: Created page with "The MoYu LingPo is MoYu's first 2x2 cube. It is well-known for feeling as if it is a mix of the smooth Dayan ZhanChi and the crunchy Type C WitTwo. It has very bright stickers..."

The MoYu LingPo is MoYu's first 2x2 cube. It is well-known for feeling as if it is a mix of the smooth Dayan ZhanChi and the crunchy Type C WitTwo. It has very bright stickers, but they are not cut to fit the pieces. It also has a white core regardless of what colour scheme you choose. This cube improves a lot with lube, more so than other cubes. It can be quite unforgiving, but it improves substantially on the WitTwo in particular since it doesn't lock up as much compared to it. It is currently the best all-rounder 2x2 on the market.

2x2x2 cubes

2014-08-28T21:02:29Z

DeanoM50810:

''[[:Category:2x2x2 cubes]]''

There are several major brands of [[2x2x2]] in use by speedcubers (see category pages below). If none of the brands on offer are good enough, it is also possible to create your own 2x2 by cutting down the edges of a 3x3, gluing a few pieces together, and then creating the corners with plastic sheets. [[Dan Cohen]] has successfully done this for his 2x2. An example video tutorial for this type of cube can be found [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0pDBn6Hz9Y here].

There are seven major brands of [[2x2x2]] cubes used by speedcubers.
* [[Diansheng 2x2x2]]
* [[Eastsheen 2x2x2]]
* [[LanLan 2x2x2]]
* [[Maru 2x2x2]]
* [[V-cube 2x2x2]]
* [[Yong Jun 2x2]]
* [[Ghosthand 2x2x2]]
* [[Shengshou 2x2x2]]
* [[Witeden Type C (Wittwo) 2x2x2]]
* [[MoYu LingPo 2x2x2]]
* [[DaYan ZhanChi 2x2x2]]

== See also ==
* [[2x2x2 Cube]] (puzzle type)
* [[2x2x2 Methods]]
* [[Puzzle Manufacturers]]
* [[Puzzle Shops]]

== External links ==
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18181 2x2x2 Questions]

[[Category:Puzzle hardware]]

Category:3x3x3 cubes

2014-08-28T20:39:51Z

DeanoM50810:

There are many different makes/brands of [[3x3x3]]. The pages within this category summarise the most common types in use today.

== Dayan Cubes ==

'''Dayan GuHong'''

A cube that can corner-cut fantastically in both directions, this is Dayan's second most popular cube behind the ZhanChi. It can be prone to popping unless the tensions are tight, and it isn't great out of the box. Nevertheless, this is a very popular cube, used by many cubers. The older versions are widely considered to be better than their newer counterparts however. The plastic was strictly ABS which gave them a much faster and smoother feel, while the newer GuHongs are made with a mix of ABS and PC plastic, which has a harder feel, making the cubes seem to have a laggy, sticky feel. The characteristics of the older GuHongs were: black screws, clearish opaque core, softer plastic with a slightly muted black color rather than shiny (the white ones are shiny but a brighter white), the cylinder inside the center piece (which holds the screw) is slightly shorter and does not come up to the top of the center piece (while the newer ones do), and the center caps had much longer tabs on them. The old ones are quite rare to find, so don't be afraid to try a newer one. They are still quite good when properly lubed with Lubix or Maru lube (for best results). Dayan has since come out with the GuHong II, which improves on the original GuHong's features.

'''Dayan LingYun'''

The LingYun is a slightly smaller, yet heavier cube than the GuHong, with peices very similar, but with bigger "dips" for better corner cutting. The "stalk" areas of the edges are slightly longer, which was supposed to reduce popping, but didn't seem to work, as most people had trouble with popping from this cube. However, popping can be stopped with tight tensions which do not hinder the performance of the cube. Quite an enjoyable cube if you set and lube it properly, and has the potential to be a very fast cube.

'''Dayan LunHui'''

This cube is heavier than most cubes, and a bit sluggish, but what makes it special is that it almost never pops, due to "anchor" pieces attached to the edges. If the tensions are too loose, however, it WILL pop, but it can still be tensioned very loose and not pop. This cube becomes reasonably nice after a good breaking in period and proper lubing. The corner cutting is superb and has a unique feel.

'''Dayan ZhanChi'''

This cube is similar to the GuHong, but with "anchors" to prevent popping and ridges on the edges to reduce popping even more. Unlike the GuHong, which is a bit clicky, this cube is very smooth. Most people choose to take the anchor pieces out of the ZhanChi, since the ridges on the edge pieces is often enough to prevent most popping. Corner cutting is excellent, but popping will occur if tensioned too loose. The cube, if not tensioned properly, will have a serious problem with the center caps staying in place, but that is the biggest problem with this cube. Like the Gu Hong, the original batch of this cube was different and much MUCH better. It had much softer plastic which gave it a much smoother feel, while the newer ones have harder plastic, which give it a scratchy, smacky feel, and just aren't the same. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to know which one you have, unless you know the feel of both. The ZhanChi is also, by far, the most modded cube, ever. There are several different "versions" of this cube sold in different stores throughout the world. The Cubicle used to seel a one handed version, as well as a version called the ZhanChi Silk, however these are both out of production. Puzzle Addictions sells a ZhanChi with a modded center piece (CPM). Lubix has the ultimate ZhanChi, with the 48 point edge mod, etc. This cube is also available in numerous shapes and sizes.

'''Dayan GuHong II'''

Pretty much a Gu Hong with anchor pieces. That being said, this cube has a seriously different feel than the original Gu Hong. The plastic is different and seems to give the cube a "cheaper", thinner feel. Corner cutting is excellent and layers seem to pop into place, due to the torpedoes.

'''Dayan LingYun II'''

Pretty much a Ling Yun with anchor pieces. Like the GuHong v2, this cube also has a seriously different feel than the original Ling Yun. This is mainly due to the torpedoes, but the plastic seems different, again. The original Ling Yun plastic feels closer to the original ZhanChi, while the LingYun v2's plastic, feels like that of the newer ZhanChis.

== FangShi Cubes ==

'''FangShi ShuangRen'''

This is an exceptional cube that appears in the collections of many cubers. It has a very unique feeling during first turns, and becomes very smooth and fast after breaking in. It has a practical anti-pop system, and will only pop on very loose tensions. It has its downsides, however. The sticker quality is poor, as the stickers chip very easily. It may be worth buying a brighter set of stickers along with this cube, as the orange and green stickers are quite dull, especially compared to MoYu cubes. The caps on the pieces also fly off if the cube is dropped, meaning the cube is very delicate. The ShuangRen has since been released in new sizes, and some cube retailers offer it in numerous colour combinations.

== MoYu Cubes ==

'''MoYu Weilong'''

The Weilong feels similar to the Huanying and is a very fast and smooth cube. It has a design similar to the Fangshi and the Huanying but different in a few ways. The corner stalks are short and rounded and the base is wider to help prevent popping. Also the edge pieces are wider and have higher ridges and grooves. The corner pieces are blocky and smooth much like a Guhong. The edge pieces interlock with the centerpieces and have torpedos to further improve antipopping. The cube is made of a hard and thick matte plastic that glides smoothly on all surfaces. This cube is very fast and effortless but as a consequence has a reputation of being uncontrollable at high speeds and can overshoot or ruin lookahead/recognition. It cuts at 45 degrees and past on even the tightest tensions and reverse corner cuts about 2/3 of a cubie. It is very quiet when turning accurately but corner cuts loudly.

'''MoYu Aolong'''

The Aolong improves on many of the Weilong's weak points. It is known for taking the mechanism of the MoYu Aosu, which many consider to be the best 4x4 speedcube. It is much more controllable while maintaining a decent amount of speed from the Weilong, even during first turns. As with all MoYu and YJ cubes, the sticker quality is outstanding, since the stickers are bright and do not chip. However, "bad" Aolongs exist due to the V2 controversy during July 2014. MoYu decided to produce the first batch of Aolong V2s with a different plastic while discontinuing the V1. Once everyone noticed how poor the performance was on the new cubes, MoYu changed the plastic on all new V2s. All new V2s are made with the proper plastic. To conclude, it is a brilliant cube which sets the standard for speed cubes.

== YJ Cubes ==

'''YJ SuLong'''

The YJ Sulong is arguably the best value-for-money cube there is. Some cube outlets have it on sale for less than $4, which is a bargain considering the build quality and performance of the cube. It turns very well, but it's noticeably slower than the likes of MoYu or Dayan cubes. It's a great warmup cube due to this. It only pops on very loose tensions. Since MoYu works alongside YJ, they both share the same amazing sticker quality. In the end, there is no reason not to own this cube, as it fulfills many purposes with a very small price tag.

'''YJ ChiLong'''

The ChiLong is very simialar to the SuLong, except it has extra grooves on the corners and edges. It is somewhat faster than the SuLong, but not overly so. Since the SuLong is usually cheaper, it makes more sense to go for it instead of the ChiLong. It is still a great cube in its own right, however.

== See also ==

* [[3x3x3 Cube]] (puzzle type)
* [[:Category:3x3x3 methods]]
* [[Puzzle Manufacturers]]
* [[Puzzle Shops]]
* [[:Category:Twisty puzzles]]

== External links ==
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5612 Comparison of Chinese DIYs]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12659 Review of Main 3x3x3 Cube Models and Clarification on the Naming System of Type A]
* YouTube: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEaaLoq8aHE DIY Speed Cube Review pt.1] (Review of 10 DIY cubes)
[[Category:Puzzle hardware]]

Category:3x3x3 cubes

2014-08-28T20:18:20Z

DeanoM50810: /* Fangshi Cubes */

There are many different makes/brands of [[3x3x3]]. The pages within this category summarise the most common types in use today.

== Dayan Cubes ==

'''Dayan GuHong'''

A cube that can corner-cut fantastically in both directions, this is Dayan's second most popular cube behind the ZhanChi. It can be prone to popping unless the tensions are tight, and it isn't great out of the box. Nevertheless, this is a very popular cube, used by many cubers. The older versions are widely considered to be better than their newer counterparts however. The plastic was strictly ABS which gave them a much faster and smoother feel, while the newer GuHongs are made with a mix of ABS and PC plastic, which has a harder feel, making the cubes seem to have a laggy, sticky feel. The characteristics of the older GuHongs were: black screws, clearish opaque core, softer plastic with a slightly muted black color rather than shiny (the white ones are shiny but a brighter white), the cylinder inside the center piece (which holds the screw) is slightly shorter and does not come up to the top of the center piece (while the newer ones do), and the center caps had much longer tabs on them. The old ones are quite rare to find, so don't be afraid to try a newer one. They are still quite good when properly lubed with Lubix or Maru lube (for best results). Dayan has since come out with the GuHong II, which improves on the original GuHong's features.

'''Dayan LingYun'''

The LingYun is a slightly smaller, yet heavier cube than the GuHong, with peices very similar, but with bigger "dips" for better corner cutting. The "stalk" areas of the edges are slightly longer, which was supposed to reduce popping, but didn't seem to work, as most people had trouble with popping from this cube. However, popping can be stopped with tight tensions which do not hinder the performance of the cube. Quite an enjoyable cube if you set and lube it properly, and has the potential to be a very fast cube.

'''Dayan LunHui'''

This cube is heavier than most cubes, and a bit sluggish, but what makes it special is that it almost never pops, due to "anchor" pieces attached to the edges. If the tensions are too loose, however, it WILL pop, but it can still be tensioned very loose and not pop. This cube becomes reasonably nice after a good breaking in period and proper lubing. The corner cutting is superb and has a unique feel.

'''Dayan ZhanChi'''

This cube is similar to the GuHong, but with "anchors" to prevent popping and ridges on the edges to reduce popping even more. Unlike the GuHong, which is a bit clicky, this cube is very smooth. Most people choose to take the anchor pieces out of the ZhanChi, since the ridges on the edge pieces is often enough to prevent most popping. Corner cutting is excellent, but popping will occur if tensioned too loose. The cube, if not tensioned properly, will have a serious problem with the center caps staying in place, but that is the biggest problem with this cube. Like the Gu Hong, the original batch of this cube was different and much MUCH better. It had much softer plastic which gave it a much smoother feel, while the newer ones have harder plastic, which give it a scratchy, smacky feel, and just aren't the same. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to know which one you have, unless you know the feel of both. The ZhanChi is also, by far, the most modded cube, ever. There are several different "versions" of this cube sold in different stores throughout the world. The Cubicle used to seel a one handed version, as well as a version called the ZhanChi Silk, however these are both out of production. Puzzle Addictions sells a ZhanChi with a modded center piece (CPM). Lubix has the ultimate ZhanChi, with the 48 point edge mod, etc. This cube is also available in numerous shapes and sizes.

'''Dayan GuHong II'''

Pretty much a Gu Hong with anchor pieces. That being said, this cube has a seriously different feel than the original Gu Hong. The plastic is different and seems to give the cube a "cheaper", thinner feel. Corner cutting is excellent and layers seem to pop into place, due to the torpedoes.

'''Dayan LingYun II'''

Pretty much a Ling Yun with anchor pieces. Like the GuHong v2, this cube also has a seriously different feel than the original Ling Yun. This is mainly due to the torpedoes, but the plastic seems different, again. The original Ling Yun plastic feels closer to the original ZhanChi, while the LingYun v2's plastic, feels like that of the newer ZhanChis.

== FangShi Cubes ==

'''FangShi ShuangRen'''

This is an exceptional cube that appears in the collections of many cubers. It has a very unique feeling during first turns, and becomes very smooth and fast after breaking in. It has a practical anti-pop system, and will only pop on very loose tensions. It has its downsides, however. The sticker quality is poor, as the stickers chip very easily. It may be worth buying a brighter set of stickers along with this cube, as the orange and green stickers are quite dull, especially compared to MoYu cubes. The caps on the pieces also fly off if the cube is dropped, meaning the cube is very delicate. The ShuangRen has since been released in new sizes, and some cube retailers offer it in numerous colour combinations.

== MoYu Cubes ==

'''MoYu Weilong'''

The Weilong feels similar to the Huanying and is a very fast and smooth cube. It has a design similar to the Fangshi and the Huanying but different in a few ways. The corner stalks are short and rounded and the base is wider to help prevent popping. Also the edge pieces are wider and have higher ridges and grooves. The corner pieces are blocky and smooth much like a Guhong. The edge pieces interlock with the centerpieces and have torpedos to further improve antipopping. The cube is made of a hard and thick matte plastic that glides smoothly on all surfaces. This cube is very fast and effortless but as a consequence has a reputation of being uncontrollable at high speeds and can overshoot or ruin lookahead/recognition. It cuts at 45 degrees and past on even the tightest tensions and reverse corner cuts about 2/3 of a cubie. It is very quiet when turning accurately but corner cuts loudly.

'''MoYu Aolong'''

The Aolong improves on many of the Weilong's weak points. It is known for taking the mechanism of the MoYu Aosu, which many consider to be the best 4x4 speedcube. It is much more controllable while maintaining a decent amount of speed from the Weilong, even during first turns. As with all MoYu and YJ cubes, the sticker quality is outstanding, since the stickers are bright and do not chip. However, "bad" Aolongs exist due to the V2 controversy during July 2014. MoYu decided to produce the first batch of Aolong V2s with a different plastic while discontinuing the V1. Once everyone noticed how poor the performance was on the new cubes, MoYu changed the plastic on all new V2s. All new V2s are made with the proper plastic. To conclude, it is a brilliant cube which sets the standard for speed cubes.

=== Korean Cubes ===

Korean Cubes consist of the [[Joy Cube]] and the [[Edison]], they are available at Tribox. They both have adjustable tension, and both come assembled and stickered, with high quality PVC stickers, although some color shades are off.

== See also ==

* [[3x3x3 Cube]] (puzzle type)
* [[:Category:3x3x3 methods]]
* [[Puzzle Manufacturers]]
* [[Puzzle Shops]]
* [[:Category:Twisty puzzles]]

== External links ==
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5612 Comparison of Chinese DIYs]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12659 Review of Main 3x3x3 Cube Models and Clarification on the Naming System of Type A]
* YouTube: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEaaLoq8aHE DIY Speed Cube Review pt.1] (Review of 10 DIY cubes)
[[Category:Puzzle hardware]]

Category:3x3x3 cubes

2014-08-28T20:16:50Z

DeanoM50810: /* MoYu Cubes */

There are many different makes/brands of [[3x3x3]]. The pages within this category summarise the most common types in use today.

== Dayan Cubes ==

'''Dayan GuHong'''

A cube that can corner-cut fantastically in both directions, this is Dayan's second most popular cube behind the ZhanChi. It can be prone to popping unless the tensions are tight, and it isn't great out of the box. Nevertheless, this is a very popular cube, used by many cubers. The older versions are widely considered to be better than their newer counterparts however. The plastic was strictly ABS which gave them a much faster and smoother feel, while the newer GuHongs are made with a mix of ABS and PC plastic, which has a harder feel, making the cubes seem to have a laggy, sticky feel. The characteristics of the older GuHongs were: black screws, clearish opaque core, softer plastic with a slightly muted black color rather than shiny (the white ones are shiny but a brighter white), the cylinder inside the center piece (which holds the screw) is slightly shorter and does not come up to the top of the center piece (while the newer ones do), and the center caps had much longer tabs on them. The old ones are quite rare to find, so don't be afraid to try a newer one. They are still quite good when properly lubed with Lubix or Maru lube (for best results). Dayan has since come out with the GuHong II, which improves on the original GuHong's features.

'''Dayan LingYun'''

The LingYun is a slightly smaller, yet heavier cube than the GuHong, with peices very similar, but with bigger "dips" for better corner cutting. The "stalk" areas of the edges are slightly longer, which was supposed to reduce popping, but didn't seem to work, as most people had trouble with popping from this cube. However, popping can be stopped with tight tensions which do not hinder the performance of the cube. Quite an enjoyable cube if you set and lube it properly, and has the potential to be a very fast cube.

'''Dayan LunHui'''

This cube is heavier than most cubes, and a bit sluggish, but what makes it special is that it almost never pops, due to "anchor" pieces attached to the edges. If the tensions are too loose, however, it WILL pop, but it can still be tensioned very loose and not pop. This cube becomes reasonably nice after a good breaking in period and proper lubing. The corner cutting is superb and has a unique feel.

'''Dayan ZhanChi'''

This cube is similar to the GuHong, but with "anchors" to prevent popping and ridges on the edges to reduce popping even more. Unlike the GuHong, which is a bit clicky, this cube is very smooth. Most people choose to take the anchor pieces out of the ZhanChi, since the ridges on the edge pieces is often enough to prevent most popping. Corner cutting is excellent, but popping will occur if tensioned too loose. The cube, if not tensioned properly, will have a serious problem with the center caps staying in place, but that is the biggest problem with this cube. Like the Gu Hong, the original batch of this cube was different and much MUCH better. It had much softer plastic which gave it a much smoother feel, while the newer ones have harder plastic, which give it a scratchy, smacky feel, and just aren't the same. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to know which one you have, unless you know the feel of both. The ZhanChi is also, by far, the most modded cube, ever. There are several different "versions" of this cube sold in different stores throughout the world. The Cubicle used to seel a one handed version, as well as a version called the ZhanChi Silk, however these are both out of production. Puzzle Addictions sells a ZhanChi with a modded center piece (CPM). Lubix has the ultimate ZhanChi, with the 48 point edge mod, etc. This cube is also available in numerous shapes and sizes.

'''Dayan GuHong II'''

Pretty much a Gu Hong with anchor pieces. That being said, this cube has a seriously different feel than the original Gu Hong. The plastic is different and seems to give the cube a "cheaper", thinner feel. Corner cutting is excellent and layers seem to pop into place, due to the torpedoes.

'''Dayan LingYun II'''

Pretty much a Ling Yun with anchor pieces. Like the GuHong v2, this cube also has a seriously different feel than the original Ling Yun. This is mainly due to the torpedoes, but the plastic seems different, again. The original Ling Yun plastic feels closer to the original ZhanChi, while the LingYun v2's plastic, feels like that of the newer ZhanChis.

== Fangshi Cubes ==

'''FangShi ShuangRen'''

This is an exceptional cube that appears in the collections of many cubers. It has a very unique feeling during first turns, and becomes very smooth and fast after breaking in. It has a practical anti-pop system, and will only pop on very loose tensions. It has its downsides, however. The sticker quality is poor, as the stickers chip very easily. It may be worth buying a brighter set of stickers along with this cube, as the orange and green stickers are quite dull, especially compared to MoYu cubes. The caps on the pieces also fly off if the cube is dropped, meaning the cube is very delicate. The ShuangRen has since been released in new sizes, and some cube retailers offer it in numerous colour combinations.

== MoYu Cubes ==

'''MoYu Weilong'''

The Weilong feels similar to the Huanying and is a very fast and smooth cube. It has a design similar to the Fangshi and the Huanying but different in a few ways. The corner stalks are short and rounded and the base is wider to help prevent popping. Also the edge pieces are wider and have higher ridges and grooves. The corner pieces are blocky and smooth much like a Guhong. The edge pieces interlock with the centerpieces and have torpedos to further improve antipopping. The cube is made of a hard and thick matte plastic that glides smoothly on all surfaces. This cube is very fast and effortless but as a consequence has a reputation of being uncontrollable at high speeds and can overshoot or ruin lookahead/recognition. It cuts at 45 degrees and past on even the tightest tensions and reverse corner cuts about 2/3 of a cubie. It is very quiet when turning accurately but corner cuts loudly.

'''MoYu Aolong'''

The Aolong improves on many of the Weilong's weak points. It is known for taking the mechanism of the MoYu Aosu, which many consider to be the best 4x4 speedcube. It is much more controllable while maintaining a decent amount of speed from the Weilong, even during first turns. As with all MoYu and YJ cubes, the sticker quality is outstanding, since the stickers are bright and do not chip. However, "bad" Aolongs exist due to the V2 controversy during July 2014. MoYu decided to produce the first batch of Aolong V2s with a different plastic while discontinuing the V1. Once everyone noticed how poor the performance was on the new cubes, MoYu changed the plastic on all new V2s. All new V2s are made with the proper plastic. To conclude, it is a brilliant cube which sets the standard for speed cubes.

=== Korean Cubes ===

Korean Cubes consist of the [[Joy Cube]] and the [[Edison]], they are available at Tribox. They both have adjustable tension, and both come assembled and stickered, with high quality PVC stickers, although some color shades are off.

== See also ==

* [[3x3x3 Cube]] (puzzle type)
* [[:Category:3x3x3 methods]]
* [[Puzzle Manufacturers]]
* [[Puzzle Shops]]
* [[:Category:Twisty puzzles]]

== External links ==
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5612 Comparison of Chinese DIYs]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12659 Review of Main 3x3x3 Cube Models and Clarification on the Naming System of Type A]
* YouTube: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEaaLoq8aHE DIY Speed Cube Review pt.1] (Review of 10 DIY cubes)
[[Category:Puzzle hardware]]

Category:3x3x3 cubes

2014-08-28T19:46:09Z

DeanoM50810:

There are many different makes/brands of [[3x3x3]]. The pages within this category summarise the most common types in use today.

== Dayan Cubes ==

'''Dayan GuHong'''

A cube that can corner-cut fantastically in both directions, this is Dayan's second most popular cube behind the ZhanChi. It can be prone to popping unless the tensions are tight, and it isn't great out of the box. Nevertheless, this is a very popular cube, used by many cubers. The older versions are widely considered to be better than their newer counterparts however. The plastic was strictly ABS which gave them a much faster and smoother feel, while the newer GuHongs are made with a mix of ABS and PC plastic, which has a harder feel, making the cubes seem to have a laggy, sticky feel. The characteristics of the older GuHongs were: black screws, clearish opaque core, softer plastic with a slightly muted black color rather than shiny (the white ones are shiny but a brighter white), the cylinder inside the center piece (which holds the screw) is slightly shorter and does not come up to the top of the center piece (while the newer ones do), and the center caps had much longer tabs on them. The old ones are quite rare to find, so don't be afraid to try a newer one. They are still quite good when properly lubed with Lubix or Maru lube (for best results). Dayan has since come out with the GuHong II, which improves on the original GuHong's features.

'''Dayan LingYun'''

The LingYun is a slightly smaller, yet heavier cube than the GuHong, with peices very similar, but with bigger "dips" for better corner cutting. The "stalk" areas of the edges are slightly longer, which was supposed to reduce popping, but didn't seem to work, as most people had trouble with popping from this cube. However, popping can be stopped with tight tensions which do not hinder the performance of the cube. Quite an enjoyable cube if you set and lube it properly, and has the potential to be a very fast cube.

'''Dayan LunHui'''

This cube is heavier than most cubes, and a bit sluggish, but what makes it special is that it almost never pops, due to "anchor" pieces attached to the edges. If the tensions are too loose, however, it WILL pop, but it can still be tensioned very loose and not pop. This cube becomes reasonably nice after a good breaking in period and proper lubing. The corner cutting is superb and has a unique feel.

'''Dayan ZhanChi'''

This cube is similar to the GuHong, but with "anchors" to prevent popping and ridges on the edges to reduce popping even more. Unlike the GuHong, which is a bit clicky, this cube is very smooth. Most people choose to take the anchor pieces out of the ZhanChi, since the ridges on the edge pieces is often enough to prevent most popping. Corner cutting is excellent, but popping will occur if tensioned too loose. The cube, if not tensioned properly, will have a serious problem with the center caps staying in place, but that is the biggest problem with this cube. Like the Gu Hong, the original batch of this cube was different and much MUCH better. It had much softer plastic which gave it a much smoother feel, while the newer ones have harder plastic, which give it a scratchy, smacky feel, and just aren't the same. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to know which one you have, unless you know the feel of both. The ZhanChi is also, by far, the most modded cube, ever. There are several different "versions" of this cube sold in different stores throughout the world. The Cubicle used to seel a one handed version, as well as a version called the ZhanChi Silk, however these are both out of production. Puzzle Addictions sells a ZhanChi with a modded center piece (CPM). Lubix has the ultimate ZhanChi, with the 48 point edge mod, etc. This cube is also available in numerous shapes and sizes.

'''Dayan GuHong II'''

Pretty much a Gu Hong with anchor pieces. That being said, this cube has a seriously different feel than the original Gu Hong. The plastic is different and seems to give the cube a "cheaper", thinner feel. Corner cutting is excellent and layers seem to pop into place, due to the torpedoes.

'''Dayan LingYun II'''

Pretty much a Ling Yun with anchor pieces. Like the GuHong v2, this cube also has a seriously different feel than the original Ling Yun. This is mainly due to the torpedoes, but the plastic seems different, again. The original Ling Yun plastic feels closer to the original ZhanChi, while the LingYun v2's plastic, feels like that of the newer ZhanChis.

== Fangshi Cubes ==

'''FangShi ShuangRen'''

This is an exceptional cube that appears in the collections of many cubers. It has a very unique feeling during first turns, and becomes very smooth and fast after breaking in. It has a practical anti-pop system, and will only pop on very loose tensions. It has its downsides, however. The sticker quality is poor, as the stickers chip very easily. It may be worth buying a brighter set of stickers along with this cube, as the orange and green stickers are quite dull, especially compared to MoYu cubes. The caps on the pieces also fly off if the cube is dropped, meaning the cube is very delicate. The ShuangRen has since been released in new sizes, and some cube retailers offer it in numerous colour combinations.

== MoYu Cubes ==

'''MoYu Weilong'''

The Weilong feels similar to the Huanying and is a very fast and smooth cube. It has a design similar to the Fangshi and the Huanying but different in a few ways. The corner stalks are short and rounded and the base is wider to help prevent popping. Also the edge pieces are wider and have higher ridges and grooves. The corner pieces are blocky and smooth much like a Guhong. The edge pieces interlock with the centerpieces and have torpedos to further improve antipopping. The cube is made of a hard and thick matte plastic that glides smoothly on all surfaces. This cube is very fast and effortless but as a consequence has a reputation of being uncontrollable at high speeds and can overshoot or ruin lookahead/recognition. It cuts at 45 degrees and past on even the tightest tensions and reverse corner cuts about 2/3 of a cubie. It is very quiet when turning accurately but corner cuts loudly.

=== Korean Cubes ===

Korean Cubes consist of the [[Joy Cube]] and the [[Edison]], they are available at Tribox. They both have adjustable tension, and both come assembled and stickered, with high quality PVC stickers, although some color shades are off.

== See also ==

* [[3x3x3 Cube]] (puzzle type)
* [[:Category:3x3x3 methods]]
* [[Puzzle Manufacturers]]
* [[Puzzle Shops]]
* [[:Category:Twisty puzzles]]

== External links ==
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5612 Comparison of Chinese DIYs]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12659 Review of Main 3x3x3 Cube Models and Clarification on the Naming System of Type A]
* YouTube: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEaaLoq8aHE DIY Speed Cube Review pt.1] (Review of 10 DIY cubes)
[[Category:Puzzle hardware]]

Category:3x3x3 cubes

2014-08-28T19:30:57Z

DeanoM50810:

There are many different makes/brands of [[3x3x3]]. The pages within this category summarise the most common types in use today.

== Dayan Cubes ==

'''Dayan GuHong'''

A cube that can corner-cut fantastically in both directions, this is Dayan's second most popular cube behind the ZhanChi. It can be prone to popping unless the tensions are tight, and it isn't great out of the box. Nevertheless, this is a very popular cube, used by many cubers. The older versions are widely considered to be better than their newer counterparts however. The plastic was strictly ABS which gave them a much faster and smoother feel, while the newer GuHongs are made with a mix of ABS and PC plastic, which has a harder feel, making the cubes seem to have a laggy, sticky feel. The characteristics of the older GuHongs were: black screws, clearish opaque core, softer plastic with a slightly muted black color rather than shiny (the white ones are shiny but a brighter white), the cylinder inside the center piece (which holds the screw) is slightly shorter and does not come up to the top of the center piece (while the newer ones do), and the center caps had much longer tabs on them. The old ones are quite rare to find, so don't be afraid to try a newer one. They are still quite good when properly lubed with Lubix or Maru lube (for best results). Dayan has since come out with the GuHong II, which improves on the original GuHong's features.

'''Dayan LingYun'''

The LingYun is a slightly smaller, yet heavier cube than the GuHong, with peices very similar, but with bigger "dips" for better corner cutting. The "stalk" areas of the edges are slightly longer, which was supposed to reduce popping, but didn't seem to work, as most people had trouble with popping from this cube. However, popping can be stopped with tight tensions which do not hinder the performance of the cube. Quite an enjoyable cube if you set and lube it properly, and has the potential to be a very fast cube.

'''Dayan LunHui'''

This cube is heavier than most cubes, and a bit sluggish, but what makes it special is that it almost never pops, due to "anchor" pieces attached to the edges. If the tensions are too loose, however, it WILL pop, but it can still be tensioned very loose and not pop. This cube becomes reasonably nice after a good breaking in period and proper lubing. The corner cutting is superb and has a unique feel.

'''Dayan ZhanChi'''

This cube is similar to the GuHong, but with "anchors" to prevent popping and ridges on the edges to reduce popping even more. Unlike the GuHong, which is a bit clicky, this cube is very smooth. Most people choose to take the anchor pieces out of the ZhanChi, since the ridges on the edge pieces is often enough to prevent most popping. Corner cutting is excellent, but popping will occur if tensioned too loose. The cube, if not tensioned properly, will have a serious problem with the center caps staying in place, but that is the biggest problem with this cube. Like the Gu Hong, the original batch of this cube was different and much MUCH better. It had much softer plastic which gave it a much smoother feel, while the newer ones have harder plastic, which give it a scratchy, smacky feel, and just aren't the same. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to know which one you have, unless you know the feel of both. The ZhanChi is also, by far, the most modded cube, ever. There are several different "versions" of this cube sold in different stores throughout the world. The Cubicle used to seel a one handed version, as well as a version called the ZhanChi Silk, however these are both out of production. Puzzle Addictions sells a ZhanChi with a modded center piece (CPM). Lubix has the ultimate ZhanChi, with the 48 point edge mod, etc.

'''Dayan GuHong II'''

Pretty much a Gu Hong with anchor pieces. That being said, this cube has a seriously different feel than the original Gu Hong. The plastic is different and seems to give the cube a "cheaper", thinner feel. Corner cutting is excellent and layers seem to pop into place, due to the torpedoes.

'''Dayan LingYun II'''

Pretty much a Ling Yun with anchor pieces. Like the GuHong v2, this cube also has a seriously different feel than the original Ling Yun. This is mainly due to the torpedoes, but the plastic seems different, again. The original Ling Yun plastic feels closer to the original ZhanChi, while the LingYun v2's plastic, feels like that of the newer ZhanChis.

== MoYu Cubes ==

'''MoYu Weilong'''

The Weilong feels similar to the Huanying and is a very fast and smooth cube. It has a design similar to the Fangshi and the Huanying but different in a few ways. The corner stalks are short and rounded and the base is wider to help prevent popping. Also the edge pieces are wider and have higher ridges and grooves. The corner pieces are blocky and smooth much like a Guhong. The edge pieces interlock with the centerpieces and have torpedos to further improve antipopping. The cube is made of a hard and thick matte plastic that glides smoothly on all surfaces. This cube is very fast and effortless but as a consequence has a reputation of being uncontrollable at high speeds and can overshoot or ruin lookahead/recognition. It cuts at 45 degrees and past on even the tightest tensions and reverse corner cuts about 2/3 of a cubie. It is very quiet when turning accurately but corner cuts loudly.

=== Korean Cubes ===

Korean Cubes consist of the [[Joy Cube]] and the [[Edison]], they are available at Tribox. They both have adjustable tension, and both come assembled and stickered, with high quality PVC stickers, although some color shades are off.

== See also ==

* [[3x3x3 Cube]] (puzzle type)
* [[:Category:3x3x3 methods]]
* [[Puzzle Manufacturers]]
* [[Puzzle Shops]]
* [[:Category:Twisty puzzles]]

== External links ==
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5612 Comparison of Chinese DIYs]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12659 Review of Main 3x3x3 Cube Models and Clarification on the Naming System of Type A]
* YouTube: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEaaLoq8aHE DIY Speed Cube Review pt.1] (Review of 10 DIY cubes)
[[Category:Puzzle hardware]]

Introduction to Speedcubing for Beginners

2014-08-28T18:18:57Z

DeanoM50810: /* Where can I buy puzzles? */

This guide will give you a small introduction to [[speedcubing]].

If you are new to this sport, you will find out there is a lot of information available.. If you are dazzled about the amount of information, just take it one step at a time.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

=== What is the Rubik's Cube? ===

The Rubik's Cube is a puzzle, invented by Erno Rubik in 1974. In 1980, the Cube was marketed world-wide, and 200 million of them were sold. Here you can see what a Rubik's Cube looks like.

=== What is speedcubing? ===

Speedcubing is the art of solving Rubik's Cube (and other twisty puzzles) as fast as possible. I think most people would also say that speedcubing is more than that: Other disciplines, such as one handed cubing or blindfold cubing can also be called "speedcubing".

=== How can I solve the cube? ===

If you are a beginner, there are a lot of websites available that will explain how to solve the [[3x3x3 cube]] in an easy way. (**Please note that there are many different ways to solve the cube. Some of these links will describe different methods**)
[http://peter.stillhq.com/jasmine/rubikscubesolution.html Andy Camann]
[http://grrroux.free.fr/begin/Begin.html Gilles Roux]
[http://www.solvethecube.co.uk/ Joel van Noort]
[http://www.its.caltech.edu/%7Eleyanlo/cube_solution.pdf Leyan Lo]
[http://pjkcubed.com/rubiks-cube-beginners-guide.html Patrick Kelly]
[http://jeays.net/rubiks.htm Mark Jeays]
[http://cube.crider.co.uk/beginner.html Conrad Rider]

=== How does the notation system work? ===

The cube has six sides: Front, Back, Left, Right, Upper and Down (F, B, L, R U and D). A single letter represents a clockwise turn of that face. For this, imagine that every side has an image of a clock on it, and a 90 degree clockwise turn has to go in the same direction as that clock. It might take a while to get used to this, because for the B face, from the perspective of the person holding the cube, a clockwise turn looks like a counterclockwise turn in a way... But after using this system for a while, you will get used to it. A single letter followed by a ' represents a counterclockwise turn of that face. A single letter followed by a 2 represents a 180 degree turn of that face. In that case, the direction of the turn doesn't matter. Many cubers use other notation. Further explanation of symbols can be found on the [[notation]] page.

=== My cube is very stiff... What can I do to make it run smoother? ===

This is a common problem with Rubik's brand cubes. Some cubes will get looser by simply using them very often, but you may need to either adjust or lubricate your cube. Cubes that are built for speed (aka. non-Rubik's brand) allow you to take off the center-caps and fine-tune the tension of the screws and springs. Loosening these tensions will improve turning, but will cause pieces to fly out more often. If you do not have a cube that has this feature, then I suggest you move onto the next step.

Another idea is to lube your cube with silicone spray. You should be careful with this, since some lubricants can cause damage to your cube. WD40 is ''not'' a lubricant, and will ruin your cube if you apply it. It is suggested that you read the article on [[Lubrication]], as it mentions some easily-found sources of lubrication.

Making the cube physically smoother requires more effort. One popular method is to sand the pieces and internal mechanism. This can be done by putting the cube in sand, (thus letting multiple grains get trapped in the internal mechanism) and solving the cube multiple times therefore sanding the cube internally. Once the cube has been solved numerous times, the cube must be washed out and cleaned of all sand and cube dust the sand may have left behind. This is a popular remedy when it comes to making a Rubik's brand cube move faster.

If you are still not satisfied with the speed of your cube, it is highly suggested that you find a speed cube online that will allow you to improve your times.

=== How can I "open"/take apart my cube? ===

You can turn one of the faces 45 degrees, and try to POP out one of the edge pieces, as shown in this picture: http://www.speedcubing.com/ton/3x3x3_dis.JPG. This may be difficult to do, depending on the cube. You may need a flat-headed screwdriver to create a gap on cubes such as Rubik's brand cubes.

=== Where can I learn those [[finger tricks]]? ===

There aren't many websites that really have a section about [[finger tricks]]. There are some websites with videos that show you how to perform algorithms. A collection of videos found [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?5248-Help-thread-Finger-Tricks here on the forums]. www.cubewhiz.com provides algorithms with videos. This can give you an idea about how to execute certain combinations of moves. www.strangepuzzle.com hosts a lot of speedcubing videos. These videos are really fast, but it can give you some inspiration. After watching all these videos for a while, you will probably start doing your own tricks.

=== What is the best method for speedsolving the Cube? ===

I honestly don't know... I wish I knew! I don't really think there is a "best method". I think you should just find a speedcubing method that feels right for you. Below this FAQ, you will find a list of links. Some of them link to popular speedcubing methods. However, before learning an extremely advanced method, I think it's a good idea to first learn a beginners method! The current world record holder uses [[CFOP]], also known as Fridrich.

=== Where can I buy puzzles? ===

Many new cube shops have appeared in recent years following the rise in production of speed cubes. These include:

http://thecubicle.us/ - They offer a massive selection of puzzles, and have a reviewing system which allows you to identify which cubes are popular among fellow speed cubers. They offer worldwide shipping, and they also specialize in spare parts, stickers and logos for numerous puzzles.

http://cubezz.com/ - They have extremely competitive prices on all their cubes, and they also offer free shipping. Shipping times can take anywhere from 2 weeks to over a month, however. They tend to be the first to have new cubes once they're released.

http://lightake.com/ - They remain very popular among cubers. However, their pricing and shipping times are not as competitive.

http://www.mefferts.com - They offer many exotic puzzles, however they do not specialize in mainstream speed cubes.

=== The stickers of my cube are peeling/coming off, how can I solve this problem? ===

This is a well known problem. Most cubes don't have high quality stickers on them whether they be the wrong colors or the laminate peels off. The best solution to this, by far, is to buy new stickers; Vinyl (PVC) stickers are highly recommended, Cubesmith sells high quality stickers and is used by professional speedcubers worldwide. [http://cubesmith.com CubeSmith] Making your own stickers takes a lot of time, and you probably won't make stickers as high of quality.

=== How can I solve higher order cubes? (4x4, 5x5) ===

You can find a method for the 4x4 here: http://www.speedcubing.com/chris/4-solution.html. The same ideas can be used for solving the 5x5. Another website that deals with higher order cubes can be found here: http://www.bigcubes.com.

=== How can I solve the F2L quickly with the Fridrich system/method? ===

The most common answer to this question is to "Slow down and look ahead" essentially that's all there is to it.
For more on Fridrich F2L the links below can be especially helpful.
Erik A. did a nice video on how he does the F2L slowly, check it out here, it should help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbKvOXE__CM

These two sites basically teach the same thing, but they use different algorithms.
http://www.snkenjoi.com/wikicube/index.php...e=Intuitive_F2L
http://dougreed.no-ip.org/~doug/f2l/f2l.htm

This site lists all 41 cases.
http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php...x3/cfop/f2l/f2l

=== Where can I see all current official/unofficial records? ===

All official records (records that are done at an official competition) can be found here:
http://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/index.php

All unofficial records can be found here:
http://www.speedcubing.com/records

=== Other Information ===

For more FAQ's, please visit this link (contains general usage FAQ of the forum itself):
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/faq.php

=== Some useful links ===

Speedcubing Tips
Below is a page containing the most links relating to speedcubing more than any other pages.
*http://speedcubing.com/links.html

=== Puzzle Shops ===

This is where you can find information on where to buy puzzles:
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117

=== How-To Guides ===

Here is a link to the How-To section, which includes various tutorials and guides. Please check it out when you get the chance:
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18 and here's a link to the wiki page for the popular Layer By Layer beginner's method http://www.speedsolving.com/wiki/index.php/Layer_by_layer

[[Category:Competitive Cubing]]

Introduction to Speedcubing for Beginners

2014-08-28T17:56:21Z

DeanoM50810: /* How can I "open"/take apart my cube? */

This guide will give you a small introduction to [[speedcubing]].

If you are new to this sport, you will find out there is a lot of information available.. If you are dazzled about the amount of information, just take it one step at a time.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

=== What is the Rubik's Cube? ===

The Rubik's Cube is a puzzle, invented by Erno Rubik in 1974. In 1980, the Cube was marketed world-wide, and 200 million of them were sold. Here you can see what a Rubik's Cube looks like.

=== What is speedcubing? ===

Speedcubing is the art of solving Rubik's Cube (and other twisty puzzles) as fast as possible. I think most people would also say that speedcubing is more than that: Other disciplines, such as one handed cubing or blindfold cubing can also be called "speedcubing".

=== How can I solve the cube? ===

If you are a beginner, there are a lot of websites available that will explain how to solve the [[3x3x3 cube]] in an easy way. (**Please note that there are many different ways to solve the cube. Some of these links will describe different methods**)
[http://peter.stillhq.com/jasmine/rubikscubesolution.html Andy Camann]
[http://grrroux.free.fr/begin/Begin.html Gilles Roux]
[http://www.solvethecube.co.uk/ Joel van Noort]
[http://www.its.caltech.edu/%7Eleyanlo/cube_solution.pdf Leyan Lo]
[http://pjkcubed.com/rubiks-cube-beginners-guide.html Patrick Kelly]
[http://jeays.net/rubiks.htm Mark Jeays]
[http://cube.crider.co.uk/beginner.html Conrad Rider]

=== How does the notation system work? ===

The cube has six sides: Front, Back, Left, Right, Upper and Down (F, B, L, R U and D). A single letter represents a clockwise turn of that face. For this, imagine that every side has an image of a clock on it, and a 90 degree clockwise turn has to go in the same direction as that clock. It might take a while to get used to this, because for the B face, from the perspective of the person holding the cube, a clockwise turn looks like a counterclockwise turn in a way... But after using this system for a while, you will get used to it. A single letter followed by a ' represents a counterclockwise turn of that face. A single letter followed by a 2 represents a 180 degree turn of that face. In that case, the direction of the turn doesn't matter. Many cubers use other notation. Further explanation of symbols can be found on the [[notation]] page.

=== My cube is very stiff... What can I do to make it run smoother? ===

This is a common problem with Rubik's brand cubes. Some cubes will get looser by simply using them very often, but you may need to either adjust or lubricate your cube. Cubes that are built for speed (aka. non-Rubik's brand) allow you to take off the center-caps and fine-tune the tension of the screws and springs. Loosening these tensions will improve turning, but will cause pieces to fly out more often. If you do not have a cube that has this feature, then I suggest you move onto the next step.

Another idea is to lube your cube with silicone spray. You should be careful with this, since some lubricants can cause damage to your cube. WD40 is ''not'' a lubricant, and will ruin your cube if you apply it. It is suggested that you read the article on [[Lubrication]], as it mentions some easily-found sources of lubrication.

Making the cube physically smoother requires more effort. One popular method is to sand the pieces and internal mechanism. This can be done by putting the cube in sand, (thus letting multiple grains get trapped in the internal mechanism) and solving the cube multiple times therefore sanding the cube internally. Once the cube has been solved numerous times, the cube must be washed out and cleaned of all sand and cube dust the sand may have left behind. This is a popular remedy when it comes to making a Rubik's brand cube move faster.

If you are still not satisfied with the speed of your cube, it is highly suggested that you find a speed cube online that will allow you to improve your times.

=== How can I "open"/take apart my cube? ===

You can turn one of the faces 45 degrees, and try to POP out one of the edge pieces, as shown in this picture: http://www.speedcubing.com/ton/3x3x3_dis.JPG. This may be difficult to do, depending on the cube. You may need a flat-headed screwdriver to create a gap on cubes such as Rubik's brand cubes.

=== Where can I learn those [[finger tricks]]? ===

There aren't many websites that really have a section about [[finger tricks]]. There are some websites with videos that show you how to perform algorithms. A collection of videos found [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?5248-Help-thread-Finger-Tricks here on the forums]. www.cubewhiz.com provides algorithms with videos. This can give you an idea about how to execute certain combinations of moves. www.strangepuzzle.com hosts a lot of speedcubing videos. These videos are really fast, but it can give you some inspiration. After watching all these videos for a while, you will probably start doing your own tricks.

=== What is the best method for speedsolving the Cube? ===

I honestly don't know... I wish I knew! I don't really think there is a "best method". I think you should just find a speedcubing method that feels right for you. Below this FAQ, you will find a list of links. Some of them link to popular speedcubing methods. However, before learning an extremely advanced method, I think it's a good idea to first learn a beginners method! The current world record holder uses [[CFOP]], also known as Fridrich.

=== Where can I buy puzzles? ===

http://www.rubiks.com sells a lot of twisty puzzles. I can highly recommmend the DIY kits for speedcubing.

http://www.mefferts.com also sells a lot of nice puzzles. Free shipping to anywhere in the world!

http://www.e-bay.com. Some cubers have luck with finding good puzzles on e-bay. I don't have any experience with this at all... So all I can say is: good luck with searching, and be careful with buying. Look at the sellers message, and other auctions, and try to estimate if he or she can be trusted.

Also these websites offer good deals:

http://www.dealextreme.com/

http://www.dealperfect.com/

[http://www.focalprice.com/buy/magic%20cube.html Focal price]

[http://www.goodluckbuy.com/index.php?target=products&mode=search&subcats=Y&type=extended&avail=Y&pshort=Y&pfull=Y&pname=Y&pkeywords=Y&cid=0&q=magic+cube&x=31&y=11&page=full_list Goodluckbuy]

=== The stickers of my cube are peeling/coming off, how can I solve this problem? ===

This is a well known problem. Most cubes don't have high quality stickers on them whether they be the wrong colors or the laminate peels off. The best solution to this, by far, is to buy new stickers; Vinyl (PVC) stickers are highly recommended, Cubesmith sells high quality stickers and is used by professional speedcubers worldwide. [http://cubesmith.com CubeSmith] Making your own stickers takes a lot of time, and you probably won't make stickers as high of quality.

=== How can I solve higher order cubes? (4x4, 5x5) ===

You can find a method for the 4x4 here: http://www.speedcubing.com/chris/4-solution.html. The same ideas can be used for solving the 5x5. Another website that deals with higher order cubes can be found here: http://www.bigcubes.com.

=== How can I solve the F2L quickly with the Fridrich system/method? ===

The most common answer to this question is to "Slow down and look ahead" essentially that's all there is to it.
For more on Fridrich F2L the links below can be especially helpful.
Erik A. did a nice video on how he does the F2L slowly, check it out here, it should help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbKvOXE__CM

These two sites basically teach the same thing, but they use different algorithms.
http://www.snkenjoi.com/wikicube/index.php...e=Intuitive_F2L
http://dougreed.no-ip.org/~doug/f2l/f2l.htm

This site lists all 41 cases.
http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php...x3/cfop/f2l/f2l

=== Where can I see all current official/unofficial records? ===

All official records (records that are done at an official competition) can be found here:
http://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/index.php

All unofficial records can be found here:
http://www.speedcubing.com/records

=== Other Information ===

For more FAQ's, please visit this link (contains general usage FAQ of the forum itself):
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/faq.php

=== Some useful links ===

Speedcubing Tips
Below is a page containing the most links relating to speedcubing more than any other pages.
*http://speedcubing.com/links.html

=== Puzzle Shops ===

This is where you can find information on where to buy puzzles:
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117

=== How-To Guides ===

Here is a link to the How-To section, which includes various tutorials and guides. Please check it out when you get the chance:
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18 and here's a link to the wiki page for the popular Layer By Layer beginner's method http://www.speedsolving.com/wiki/index.php/Layer_by_layer

[[Category:Competitive Cubing]]

Introduction to Speedcubing for Beginners

2014-08-28T17:54:43Z

DeanoM50810: /* My cube is very stiff... What can I do to make it run smoother? */

This guide will give you a small introduction to [[speedcubing]].

If you are new to this sport, you will find out there is a lot of information available.. If you are dazzled about the amount of information, just take it one step at a time.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

=== What is the Rubik's Cube? ===

The Rubik's Cube is a puzzle, invented by Erno Rubik in 1974. In 1980, the Cube was marketed world-wide, and 200 million of them were sold. Here you can see what a Rubik's Cube looks like.

=== What is speedcubing? ===

Speedcubing is the art of solving Rubik's Cube (and other twisty puzzles) as fast as possible. I think most people would also say that speedcubing is more than that: Other disciplines, such as one handed cubing or blindfold cubing can also be called "speedcubing".

=== How can I solve the cube? ===

If you are a beginner, there are a lot of websites available that will explain how to solve the [[3x3x3 cube]] in an easy way. (**Please note that there are many different ways to solve the cube. Some of these links will describe different methods**)
[http://peter.stillhq.com/jasmine/rubikscubesolution.html Andy Camann]
[http://grrroux.free.fr/begin/Begin.html Gilles Roux]
[http://www.solvethecube.co.uk/ Joel van Noort]
[http://www.its.caltech.edu/%7Eleyanlo/cube_solution.pdf Leyan Lo]
[http://pjkcubed.com/rubiks-cube-beginners-guide.html Patrick Kelly]
[http://jeays.net/rubiks.htm Mark Jeays]
[http://cube.crider.co.uk/beginner.html Conrad Rider]

=== How does the notation system work? ===

The cube has six sides: Front, Back, Left, Right, Upper and Down (F, B, L, R U and D). A single letter represents a clockwise turn of that face. For this, imagine that every side has an image of a clock on it, and a 90 degree clockwise turn has to go in the same direction as that clock. It might take a while to get used to this, because for the B face, from the perspective of the person holding the cube, a clockwise turn looks like a counterclockwise turn in a way... But after using this system for a while, you will get used to it. A single letter followed by a ' represents a counterclockwise turn of that face. A single letter followed by a 2 represents a 180 degree turn of that face. In that case, the direction of the turn doesn't matter. Many cubers use other notation. Further explanation of symbols can be found on the [[notation]] page.

=== My cube is very stiff... What can I do to make it run smoother? ===

This is a common problem with Rubik's brand cubes. Some cubes will get looser by simply using them very often, but you may need to either adjust or lubricate your cube. Cubes that are built for speed (aka. non-Rubik's brand) allow you to take off the center-caps and fine-tune the tension of the screws and springs. Loosening these tensions will improve turning, but will cause pieces to fly out more often. If you do not have a cube that has this feature, then I suggest you move onto the next step.

Another idea is to lube your cube with silicone spray. You should be careful with this, since some lubricants can cause damage to your cube. WD40 is ''not'' a lubricant, and will ruin your cube if you apply it. It is suggested that you read the article on [[Lubrication]], as it mentions some easily-found sources of lubrication.

Making the cube physically smoother requires more effort. One popular method is to sand the pieces and internal mechanism. This can be done by putting the cube in sand, (thus letting multiple grains get trapped in the internal mechanism) and solving the cube multiple times therefore sanding the cube internally. Once the cube has been solved numerous times, the cube must be washed out and cleaned of all sand and cube dust the sand may have left behind. This is a popular remedy when it comes to making a Rubik's brand cube move faster.

If you are still not satisfied with the speed of your cube, it is highly suggested that you find a speed cube online that will allow you to improve your times.

=== How can I "open"/take apart my cube? ===

You can turn one of the faces 45 degrees, and try to POP out one of the edge pieces, as shown in this picture: http://www.speedcubing.com/ton/3x3x3_dis.JPG. You should be careful with this. With extremely stiff cubes this doesn't work.

=== Where can I learn those [[finger tricks]]? ===

There aren't many websites that really have a section about [[finger tricks]]. There are some websites with videos that show you how to perform algorithms. A collection of videos found [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?5248-Help-thread-Finger-Tricks here on the forums]. www.cubewhiz.com provides algorithms with videos. This can give you an idea about how to execute certain combinations of moves. www.strangepuzzle.com hosts a lot of speedcubing videos. These videos are really fast, but it can give you some inspiration. After watching all these videos for a while, you will probably start doing your own tricks.

=== What is the best method for speedsolving the Cube? ===

I honestly don't know... I wish I knew! I don't really think there is a "best method". I think you should just find a speedcubing method that feels right for you. Below this FAQ, you will find a list of links. Some of them link to popular speedcubing methods. However, before learning an extremely advanced method, I think it's a good idea to first learn a beginners method! The current world record holder uses [[CFOP]], also known as Fridrich.

=== Where can I buy puzzles? ===

http://www.rubiks.com sells a lot of twisty puzzles. I can highly recommmend the DIY kits for speedcubing.

http://www.mefferts.com also sells a lot of nice puzzles. Free shipping to anywhere in the world!

http://www.e-bay.com. Some cubers have luck with finding good puzzles on e-bay. I don't have any experience with this at all... So all I can say is: good luck with searching, and be careful with buying. Look at the sellers message, and other auctions, and try to estimate if he or she can be trusted.

Also these websites offer good deals:

http://www.dealextreme.com/

http://www.dealperfect.com/

[http://www.focalprice.com/buy/magic%20cube.html Focal price]

[http://www.goodluckbuy.com/index.php?target=products&mode=search&subcats=Y&type=extended&avail=Y&pshort=Y&pfull=Y&pname=Y&pkeywords=Y&cid=0&q=magic+cube&x=31&y=11&page=full_list Goodluckbuy]

=== The stickers of my cube are peeling/coming off, how can I solve this problem? ===

This is a well known problem. Most cubes don't have high quality stickers on them whether they be the wrong colors or the laminate peels off. The best solution to this, by far, is to buy new stickers; Vinyl (PVC) stickers are highly recommended, Cubesmith sells high quality stickers and is used by professional speedcubers worldwide. [http://cubesmith.com CubeSmith] Making your own stickers takes a lot of time, and you probably won't make stickers as high of quality.

=== How can I solve higher order cubes? (4x4, 5x5) ===

You can find a method for the 4x4 here: http://www.speedcubing.com/chris/4-solution.html. The same ideas can be used for solving the 5x5. Another website that deals with higher order cubes can be found here: http://www.bigcubes.com.

=== How can I solve the F2L quickly with the Fridrich system/method? ===

The most common answer to this question is to "Slow down and look ahead" essentially that's all there is to it.
For more on Fridrich F2L the links below can be especially helpful.
Erik A. did a nice video on how he does the F2L slowly, check it out here, it should help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbKvOXE__CM

These two sites basically teach the same thing, but they use different algorithms.
http://www.snkenjoi.com/wikicube/index.php...e=Intuitive_F2L
http://dougreed.no-ip.org/~doug/f2l/f2l.htm

This site lists all 41 cases.
http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php...x3/cfop/f2l/f2l

=== Where can I see all current official/unofficial records? ===

All official records (records that are done at an official competition) can be found here:
http://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/index.php

All unofficial records can be found here:
http://www.speedcubing.com/records

=== Other Information ===

For more FAQ's, please visit this link (contains general usage FAQ of the forum itself):
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/faq.php

=== Some useful links ===

Speedcubing Tips
Below is a page containing the most links relating to speedcubing more than any other pages.
*http://speedcubing.com/links.html

=== Puzzle Shops ===

This is where you can find information on where to buy puzzles:
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117

=== How-To Guides ===

Here is a link to the How-To section, which includes various tutorials and guides. Please check it out when you get the chance:
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18 and here's a link to the wiki page for the popular Layer By Layer beginner's method http://www.speedsolving.com/wiki/index.php/Layer_by_layer

[[Category:Competitive Cubing]]