Difference between revisions of "Make a Rubik's Cube Turn Better"

#*If the piece won't come out even with a screwdriver, try twisting a side face to loosen the connections.<ref name="rf1">https://ruwix.com/the-rubiks-cube/how-take-apart-disassemble-the-rubiks-cube-and-put-back-together/</ref>

#Protect the logo. If there's a logo on your Rubik's cube and you want to keep it looking good, cover it with a clear PVC sticker. The lubricant may damage the logo otherwise.<ref name="rf2">http://www.speedcubing.com/ton/Speedcube/makinga.htm</ref>

#Consider sanding the cube. Some people lightly sand the non-stickered sides with coarse sandpaper, then again with fine sandpaper before lubricating. This wears down parts to reduce friction. This may help with a particularly stiff cube (especially models not designed for speed cubing), or with a brand new cube you want to break in fast. That said, many people prefer not to risk damaging their cube, or leave this step until you're down to 20 second solve times (or even lower) and are looking for every improvement possible.<ref name="rf3">https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/how-to-sand-your-cube.3623/</ref>

#Lubricate the pieces with silicone. 100% silicone is the ideal lubricant, since it will not gum up or damage your cube — unless it has paper stickers, in which case skip to the next step.<ref name="rf2" /> Lay the pieces over newspaper and lubricate all interior sides with a tiny amount of lubricant, including the central mechanism. Rub the lubricant into an even layer with a clean rag, and wipe off any excess.<ref name="rf4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5HplkThav0&index=5&list=PLVE0Oz4ggE93chcSK38InBhnu9JcI_2GC</ref> You only want a thin film.

#*Competitive cubers might want to discuss specific products with other hobbyists. Too much lubrication can make the cube difficult to handle, so the choice of product and amount depends on your cube brand and personal preference.<ref name="rf5">https://www.speedsolving.com/wiki/index.php/Lubrication</ref>

#Look into alternative lubricants. If you have paper stickers (which silicone can damage), or just don't want to buy a new lubricant, there are other options:<ref name="rf5" />

#Let your pieces dry. Give your cube parts about ten minutes to dry before [[#Reassembling_the_Cube_sub|reassembly]].<ref name="rf6">http://www.speedcubing.com/chris/speedcubing.html#lubricate</ref> In the meantime, you can adjust your cube in other ways.

#Pop the caps off the center pieces. The next most common way to improve your cube's turning speed is to adjust the tension on the turning mechanism. To get started, pop the colored squares off the central mechanism using a knife.<ref name="rf2" />

#Turn the screws to adjust tension. Most models have a screw under each center cap. There is a spring coiled around each screw shaft, so turning the screw will adjust the tension of the cube. This adjustment depends on personal preference, but here's a good place to start:<ref name="rf2" />

#Superglue a troublesome screw. If your cube is old and feels "off," remove the screws to investigate the springs underneath. If a spring is unwinding or scratching into other pieces, you can hold the screw end of the spring in place with a tiny drop of superglue.<ref name="rf2" />

#Fit the central squares back on. If they keep falling off, dip a needle in superglue and use it to reattach them.<ref name="rf7">http://www.speedcubing.com/ton/Speedcube/makinga.htm#Trouble%20Shooting%20Guide</ref>

#Make a cross of a single color. If you assemble the pieces at random, the puzzle will usually be unsolvable. Reassemble it in a solved position instead, starting with four edge pieces of the same color. This first part is the most difficult:<ref name="rf8">http://www.therubikzone.com/Reassemble-a-Rubik-s-Cube.html</ref>

#Build two rows of the top layer. Begin with a corner, which should attach easily, then build from it until you have two rows done. The edge pieces are easier to attach if you rotate the top layer so you can slot the edge piece in directly over the gap you left in the middle layer.<ref name="rf8" />

#Scramble the cube for a while. The cube can feel stiff at first after adding lubricant, but after a few minutes of working it in, you should notice faster, smoother turns.<ref name="rf9">http://www.lubixcube.com/Instructions.html</ref> If you adjusted the screws, it can take a couple hours of use to break in the cube and check whether the tension is where you want it.<ref name="rf2" />

#*If lubricating made your cube stiffer and the problem doesn't go away within a couple days, you probably used too much lubricant. Disassemble the cube and wipe off the excess.<ref name="rf10">http://www.lubixcube.com/FAQ.html</ref>

*If your cube catches when turning, consider a "Florian mod." This rounds or cuts the corner pieces to allow for smoother motion.<ref name="rf11">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9E0SFr-LiA</ref> Be careful, since this mod can give corner pieces the ability to move in place — making your cube unsolvable until you turn them back.<ref name="rf12">http://www.speedcubereview.com/cubing-terms.html</ref>

*You can save time when lubricating by removing only the first piece, and spraying through the hole. The spray won't evaporate as well if you try this, so it risks gumming up your cube.<ref name="rf13">https://ruwix.com/the-rubiks-cube/lubricate-rubiks-cube-with-silicone-or-vaseline-petroleum-jelly/</ref>

*If a cube has already been lubricated with one type of lubricant and you want to switch to another, clean the old one off first. After disassembling, wipe each piece with a paper towel, wash with soapy water, and rinse.<ref name="rf13" />

*There are many Rubik's cube models, and the instructions for the central mechanism adjustments do not apply to every one. For example, the official Rubik's brand speed cube has a spherical central mechanism — though it is rarely used in competitions.<ref name="rf14">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvDgjQ21XLM&index=2&list=PLVE0Oz4ggE93chcSK38InBhnu9JcI_2GC</ref>

*If you feel pain in your wrist or thumb, stop using the Rubik's cube for a few days.<ref name="rf15">http://www.speedcubing.com/chris/speedcubing.html</ref> Pushing through the pain can lead to a repetitive stress injury, which can take months to heal.