Comments on: Lubricant for Rubik's Cube http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 14:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Cpt. Tim http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246019 Cpt. Tim Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246019 My first reaction was like "This is news boing boing? cube lube? who hasn't heard of..." oh yeah. not everyone is as big a nerd as me. Cube lube is pretty good, a silicone spray works well too, you just have to keep it moving for a bit because if you just spray it in and let it sit it can have the opposite affect and stick the cube together. Also there's a site that sells awesome replacement stickers for your cube called cubesmith, i got these thick tile like stickers that are textured kinda like skateboard grip tape. they've lasted over a year and still look brand new. My first reaction was like “This is news boing boing? cube lube? who hasn’t heard of…”

oh yeah. not everyone is as big a nerd as me.

Cube lube is pretty good, a silicone spray works well too, you just have to keep it moving for a bit because if you just spray it in and let it sit it can have the opposite affect and stick the cube together.

Also there’s a site that sells awesome replacement stickers for your cube called cubesmith, i got these thick tile like stickers that are textured kinda like skateboard grip tape. they’ve lasted over a year and still look brand new.

]]> By: trr http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246021 trr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246021 Sorry, but K-Y is not sugar water. It's mainly glycerin and propylene glycol, IIRC. OK, I looked (at wikipedia) and it's glycerin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and propylene glycol. It's got some sorbitol in the liquid version but "jelled sucrose" it is not. I agree that Cube Lube is probably silicone based. Graphite would be messy. A suspension of powdered PTFE (Teflon) is another (less likely) option (like they use in the Poinewood Derby cars when powdered graphite is not allowed due to the mess.) Sheesh, I'm about to run out of parentheses. ;-) Sorry, but K-Y is not sugar water. It’s mainly glycerin and propylene glycol, IIRC.
OK, I looked (at wikipedia) and it’s glycerin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and propylene glycol. It’s got some sorbitol in the liquid version but “jelled sucrose” it is not.

I agree that Cube Lube is probably silicone based.
Graphite would be messy. A suspension of powdered PTFE (Teflon) is another (less likely) option (like they use in the Poinewood Derby cars when powdered graphite is not allowed due to the mess.)

Sheesh, I’m about to run out of parentheses. ;-)

]]> By: Lauren O http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246291 Lauren O Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246291 This reminds me of the time one of the kids on my Quiz Bowl team was fiddling around with another team member's Rubik's cube. "This is nice. This is so tight. All it needs is some more lube." He didn't understand why the rest of us burst out laughing. This reminds me of the time one of the kids on my Quiz Bowl team was fiddling around with another team member’s Rubik’s cube.

“This is nice. This is so tight. All it needs is some more lube.”

He didn’t understand why the rest of us burst out laughing.

]]> By: LogrusZed http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246037 LogrusZed Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246037 <b>TRR</b>: You know that glycol is sugar-alcohol, right? Here is the entry on glycol, which is glycerin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycerin K-Y = is sugar water, gelled. Yeah, it's not raw sugar, I could have been more specific but it wouldn't have made my statement any more clear to a layperson. TRR: You know that glycol is sugar-alcohol, right?

Here is the entry on glycol, which is glycerin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycerin

K-Y = is sugar water, gelled. Yeah, it’s not raw sugar, I could have been more specific but it wouldn’t have made my statement any more clear to a layperson.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-432409 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-432409 Hee hee... why not: Rubik's Lube? -Raz Hee hee… why not:

Rubik’s Lube?

-Raz

]]> By: Justin Ried http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246044 Justin Ried Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246044 What's wrong with plain old petroleum jelly? I've had lots of Rubik's Cubes over the years (and Rubik's Revenge) and Vaseline has never steered me wrong. Cube Lube has a much cooler name, though... What’s wrong with plain old petroleum jelly? I’ve had lots of Rubik’s Cubes over the years (and Rubik’s Revenge) and Vaseline has never steered me wrong.

Cube Lube has a much cooler name, though…

]]> By: Tenn http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246060 Tenn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246060 I went on a Rubik's-ing binge yesterday and also a browsing Rubik's binge, and I found that they actually offer kits to make your own cube to your specifications- complete with cube lube. I went on a Rubik’s-ing binge yesterday and also a browsing Rubik’s binge, and I found that they actually offer kits to make your own cube to your specifications- complete with cube lube.

]]> By: Jack http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246063 Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246063 Justin, Vaseline? On lots or Rubik's Cubes? Really? Wait, apparently I am old <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzV4eG5jIHY">thanks to what I am seeing from the kids on the YouTube</a>. Justin, Vaseline? On lots or Rubik’s Cubes? Really?

Wait, apparently I am old thanks to what I am seeing from the kids on the YouTube.

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246064 EH Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246064 I remember using 3-in-1 oil. I remember using 3-in-1 oil.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246065 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246065 so,is there like a contest where people solve Rubik's cubes in a fundamental way? so,is there like a contest where people solve Rubik’s cubes in a fundamental way?

]]> By: neurolux http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246071 neurolux Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246071 I would think the long chain molecules in petroleum jelly would slowly dissolve the plastic in a Rubik's Cube. I would think the long chain molecules in petroleum jelly would slowly dissolve the plastic in a Rubik’s Cube.

]]> By: DavidPFarrell http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246348 DavidPFarrell Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246348 Be careful when using spray lubes, silicone or otherwise - the propane/butane used as a carrier for the lubricant can melt your cube. In fact in the spray-lube tutorials where they say things "your cube will be stiff and gunky" that is because the pieces are melting! For some awesome silicone liquid lube that does wonders for many twisty puzzles, look in the PuzzleProz store here: http://stores.ebay.com/PuzzleProz "Type A" Speed Cube + PuzzlProz lube For The Wins! Be careful when using spray lubes, silicone or otherwise – the propane/butane used as a carrier for the lubricant can melt your cube.

In fact in the spray-lube tutorials where they say things “your cube will be stiff and gunky” that is because the pieces are melting!

For some awesome silicone liquid lube that does wonders for many twisty puzzles, look in the PuzzleProz store here:

http://stores.ebay.com/PuzzleProz

“Type A” Speed Cube + PuzzlProz lube For The Wins!

]]> By: arkizzle http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246096 arkizzle Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246096 OK, this is a repost, but it's relevant: From the <a href="http://www.boingboing.net/2008/05/01/howto-anonymize-your-1.html#comment-179024" rel="nofollow">HOWTO Anonymize Your Digital Photos</a> thread, and refers to Jessica Fridrich. <blockquote>Turns out, besides arming the machine to hunt down freedom-lovin' photo-bloggers, she's a crazy fast <a href="http://www.ws.binghamton.edu/fridrich/cube.html " rel="nofollow">Rubik's Cuber</a> achieving up to TEN MOVES A SECOND ! ! Check out <a href="http://www.ws.binghamton.edu/fridrich/Video_clips/Closeup1433.avi" rel="nofollow">this video</a> of her solving the cube in 14.33 seconds, and read about the multiple conditional algorithms (up to 100) she uses in her head, to achieve it. </blockquote> OK, this is a repost, but it’s relevant:

From the HOWTO Anonymize Your Digital Photos thread, and refers to Jessica Fridrich.

Turns out, besides arming the machine to hunt down freedom-lovin’ photo-bloggers, she’s a crazy fast Rubik’s Cuber achieving up to TEN MOVES A SECOND ! !
Check out this video of her solving the cube in 14.33 seconds, and read about the multiple conditional algorithms (up to 100) she uses in her head, to achieve it.

]]> By: joespro http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246614 joespro Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246614 I think this is the single greatest thing I have ever seen, ever. Truly. I think this is the single greatest thing I have ever seen, ever. Truly.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-247924 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-247924 Or how about an all-magnetic (ie. you can pull it apart) one made out of dice? MAKE vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNWTv0h5Yz0 Or how about an all-magnetic (ie. you can pull it apart) one made out of dice? MAKE vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNWTv0h5Yz0

]]> By: ivan256 http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246647 ivan256 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246647 #18: OMG, you don't know about <a href="http://speedcubing.com/" rel="nofollow">Speed Cubing</a>? #18:

OMG, you don’t know about Speed Cubing?

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-245882 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-245882 I can certainly see how this would relieve the discomfort I can certainly see how this would relieve the discomfort

]]> By: MitchSchaft http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246411 MitchSchaft Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246411 Taht's actually true for vaseline and NOT spray lubricants. Taht’s actually true for vaseline and NOT spray lubricants.

]]> By: Oskar http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246160 Oskar Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246160 Yeah, to all you non-cubers out there: you have to lube your cube if you want to get even remotely fast. I use silicone spray which works brilliantly once you've applied it and used it for a few hours (although in the beggining, it feels like you've coated your cube with glue), and then lasts forever (well, it lasts until the cube is otherwise worn out and you have to buy a new one anyway). I don't really think a special lube is really needed specifically for Rubik's Cubes. Just buy some silicone spray. Yeah, to all you non-cubers out there: you have to lube your cube if you want to get even remotely fast. I use silicone spray which works brilliantly once you’ve applied it and used it for a few hours (although in the beggining, it feels like you’ve coated your cube with glue), and then lasts forever (well, it lasts until the cube is otherwise worn out and you have to buy a new one anyway).

I don’t really think a special lube is really needed specifically for Rubik’s Cubes. Just buy some silicone spray.

]]> By: LogrusZed http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-245912 LogrusZed Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-245912 Also useful if you have an 8-bit digital dong. Also useful if you have an 8-bit digital dong.

]]> By: ESQ http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246199 ESQ Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246199 Graphite power works well, but the cube is for chumps... I'm 10 pieces away from solving my 12-color Megaminx. =) Graphite power works well, but the cube is for chumps… I’m 10 pieces away from solving my 12-color Megaminx. =)

]]> By: trr http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246209 trr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246209 No, Logruzed, I know that glycols are not sugars. Glycols do not contain aldehyde or ketone functional groups. Sugars do. Glycols are diols. Also, glycerin is not a glycol. Glycerin is a triol. And neither glycerin nor propylene glycol are made with sugar as a feedstock. Interestingly, glycerin is a major byproduct of biodiesel production. If you were really trying to dumb it down, OK, but you should not have used the word 'sucrose', in that case. No, Logruzed,
I know that glycols are not sugars. Glycols do not contain aldehyde or ketone functional groups. Sugars do. Glycols are diols.
Also, glycerin is not a glycol. Glycerin is a triol.
And neither glycerin nor propylene glycol are made with sugar as a feedstock. Interestingly, glycerin is a major byproduct of biodiesel production.
If you were really trying to dumb it down, OK, but you should not have used the word ‘sucrose’, in that case.

]]> By: gottabefunky http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-245962 gottabefunky Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-245962 Would this technically be a "cubricant"? Would this technically be a “cubricant”?

]]> By: alexx http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-245966 alexx Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-245966 they still sell that stuff. my calc teacher in high school (just a couple years ago) used it on his. they still sell that stuff. my calc teacher in high school (just a couple years ago) used it on his.

]]> By: Bob Doles Communist Doppelganger http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-245968 Bob Doles Communist Doppelganger Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-245968 You know, my cube movement has been a little sluggish lately. I wonder if it works on time cubes? You know, my cube movement has been a little sluggish lately.

I wonder if it works on time cubes?

]]> By: OM http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-245976 OM Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-245976 ...ISTR this is simply a thicker form of K-Y. …ISTR this is simply a thicker form of K-Y.

]]> By: Jack http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-245991 Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-245991 They still sell this on eBay. Just do a search for Cube-Lube. But it's now $3. What a bargain! They still sell this on eBay. Just do a search for Cube-Lube. But it’s now $3. What a bargain!

]]> By: romwell http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-246504 romwell Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-246504 Heh, it's fun how people never heard of Cube Lube... I am not a cuber (just got my cube half a year ago and still have to crack it), but even I know what it is +) Heh, it’s fun how people never heard of Cube Lube… I am not a cuber (just got my cube half a year ago and still have to crack it), but even I know what it is +)

]]> By: LogrusZed http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-245996 LogrusZed Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-245996 <b>OM</b>: Kind of unlikely since KY is basically jelled sucrose (sugar water). This is probably some kind of silicone lubricant or possibly graphite; but graphite, while being a good dry parts lubricant (not those parts) usually stains your hands. OM: Kind of unlikely since KY is basically jelled sucrose (sugar water). This is probably some kind of silicone lubricant or possibly graphite; but graphite, while being a good dry parts lubricant (not those parts) usually stains your hands.

]]> By: gabu http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/lubricant-for-rubiks.html#comment-245999 gabu Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-245999 Sounds like a Borg marital aid. Sounds like a Borg marital aid.

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