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Timekeeper
06-14-2009, 12:34 PM
I rarely post and never thread, but I figured here was probably the best place to ask this question...

I've got myself a Rubix cube and I wanted it to go faster, so I could get myself a faster time. My two choices were Vaseline (petroleum jelly) or Silicone spray.

After comparing many sites I decided to completely disassemble my cube, give the whole lot a light spray with silicone spray and then reassemble after a bit of airing.

The first thing I found was that it was faster to turn the sides, but when I tried to combo it would get stuck quite easily. Thus making my cube slower than before...

I am now quite annoyed at a few websites and some kid on youtube.
Any suggestions on how to undo what I did, make my cube faster or any other ideas?

Meat Puppet
06-14-2009, 12:43 PM
unfortunately suicide is your only option now

blackmage_nuke
06-14-2009, 12:44 PM
Is this one of those good cubes like $15+ or one you picked up at the $2 shop?

Jiro
06-14-2009, 12:47 PM
unfortunately suicide is your only option now

Death by cubing is the only method

blackmage_nuke
06-14-2009, 12:49 PM
Also what do you mean by stuck? Do you mean it will stop half way through a turn or do you mean that when you go for a new turn it wont budge?
Did you try maybe using the petroleum jelly over the silicone?(i dont know if it would have some side effects but its possible)

Timekeeper
06-14-2009, 12:50 PM
It was a good one... Suicide does look like the right option now :cry:

Jiro
06-14-2009, 12:54 PM
I'll buy you another one goddammit. Just don't go sticking :bou::bou::bou::bou: on it this time. They never had these sorts of lubricants back in the stone ages, so how do you think the guys managed back then?

Timekeeper
06-14-2009, 12:58 PM
When I say stuck, I mean that I sometimes have to crunch it during a new turn, rather than a clean swift turn... It's feeling more like a cheap one than a good one now...

I have thought about petroleum jelly, but I don't want to dig my hole any deeper.

And as for your question Jiro, they don't make things the way they used to!

blackmage_nuke
06-14-2009, 01:11 PM
I think the problem might not have come from the silicon spray but from taking the cube apart and putting it back together. Do you find it's more loose now then it was before you took it apart? Does it rattle abit more if you shake it?

Well I dont know anything you can do besides holding tighter when you hold the cube, also when it gets a little stuck, pushing it down on a flat surface usually evens out the edges, so give it a quick slam on the table, but i guess if your going for time thats not the type of thing you want to do. Pushing it together with flatpalms might also even it out

Alternatively you have to "grind down the edges" by continually forcing turns when its stuck, wearing out the parts that get stuck, but that could damage your cube.

If you get a new cube i suggest you get a good one and use a $2 cube as a training cube, theyre gritty and hard to spin, which is abit like wearing weights to hold you back so when you get to the real thing you go nuts.

Timekeeper
06-14-2009, 01:28 PM
Hmm, it doesn't rattle... I think the silicon spray may just be having adverse effects....

It doesn't grind too much, just enough to annoy me when I am trying to solve it quickly. It used to do that a little bit, but now it's worse.

I am hoping that after more use it will fix itself up, but I wanted good results today!!

I actually did buy a $2 one before I got my good one, as I am not really one for spending money xD
If I can find my cheap cube (I probably lent it to a friend), I'll train on it as you suggested, thank you.

In the meantime, I will continue attempting to decide if I should use petroleum jelly or not.

blackmage_nuke
06-14-2009, 01:31 PM
You must not try to spin the cube, you must know that there is no cube, and it is you who is spinning.

Timekeeper
06-14-2009, 01:39 PM
There is no <s> spoon</s> cube?

blackmage_nuke
06-14-2009, 01:40 PM
You cubey bard!

Timekeeper
06-14-2009, 02:08 PM
<a href="http://s666.photobucket.com/albums/vv28/simplyninja/?action=view&current=my_cube_is_too_big-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv28/simplyninja/my_cube_is_too_big-1.jpg" border="0" alt="rubix cube,cube,my spoon is too big"></a>
My Cube is too big!

Jiro
06-14-2009, 03:15 PM
I dunno how he's going to eat his ice cream with that.

Momiji
06-14-2009, 04:07 PM
The Enrichment Center reminds you that the Rubix cube will never threaten to stab you and, in fact, cannot speak. In the event that the companion cube does speak, The Enrichment Center urges you to disregard its advice.

Seriously, I have no idea. I just couldn't resist throwing in a Portal reference.

rubah
06-14-2009, 07:04 PM
You can always take it apart, take a cloth and wipe the lubricant off.

The insides are made of just plastic right? Not rubber? You can probably use most any lubricant you want. Pick up some lubricating grease if you want, WD-40, etc.

Timekeeper
06-15-2009, 09:44 AM
I think I may actually take it apart, it is time consuming, but I'll give it go.

Yea, I think most things would work, it's just that I think WD-40 may actually damage the cube or atleast make it smell bad, keep in mind you put your hands all over the cube.

I was hoping there'd be some cube guru here, but if not I guess there's no harm in cleaning it all out and giving petroleum jelly a go...

G13
06-15-2009, 10:02 AM
I was hoping there'd be some cube guru here

There is. It's you.