[ManBeast]

Anyone else somewhat fascinated/obsessed with the rubik's cube style puzzles? They are a "habbit" I picked up while bored at work (wal*mart had one on clearance for like a dollar... LOL, same reason I have a yo-yo, but that is another thread, LOL).

I'm by no means a speedcuber, nor do I truly understand the cubes (yet), but I'm at the point where I can solve the 3x3x3 in under 3:00 if I don't mess up, and under 5:00 no matter what. I've got one more thing to learn and I'll be able to solve the 4x4x4 in under 10:00. I'm already contemplating buying the 5x5x5 as well.

MB

[ReaperX]

there is supposed to be a mathematical formula that if you follow it can get you to solve the rubik's cube.


I think it is a genetic disposition to thinking. Some people can do it, some cannot.

3-5 min is tremendously well.

I think my best ever was 1.5 hrs. It took me awhile.


..........then again that's not even that bad considering the majority of the population cannot even solve one at all.

[bitterplacebo]

I was given one for Christmas, but I can't seem to bring myself to devote the time to learn how to solve it.

Do you have any of the Lemarchand puzzle boxes from Hellraiser?
Someone out there has to have made some good ones that aren't just for decoration.

[ManBeast]

I really want to make a 6x6x6 cube (since the evens are harder than the odds) and pattern it after the LeMerchand cube!

This is the method I use for the 3x3x3:
http://peter.stillhq.com/jasmine/rub...esolution.html

and here's the basis for the one I use for the 4x4x4 (I've found ways to simplify it though):
http://www.speedcubing.com/chris/4-solution.html

It is very important to understand the notation used, and not "really" pay attention to the colors shown since I don't think either of them have the same colors on their cube as I do.

[Kevf]

You got me inspired! I've just bought a 3x3

[ManBeast]

Congrats and welcome to the obsesion

MB

[maynehood171]

Originally Posted by bitterplacebo

I was given one for Christmas, but I can't seem to bring myself to devote the time to learn how to solve it.

Do you have any of the Lemarchand puzzle boxes from Hellraiser?
Someone out there has to have made some good ones that aren't just for decoration.

...Same here

[ManBeast]

The links I posted are quite helpful

MB

[Konvicted]

I suck at the rubix cube, I can get hella close to solving it but never finish it.

[ManBeast]

Seriously, the methods in the links I posted are fool proof (as even I can use them). The 4x4x4 method isn't "perfect" IMHO, but it does give you useable tools to solve it.

re: The Lament Configuration - If you go to:
http://www.cenobite.com/shop/puzzle.htm
you can find links to various manufacturers of high-quality replicas. Too bad most of them are totally static

MB

[bitterplacebo]

I found a couple that actually had some moving parts, but they're not really much of a puzzle.


But one is just a 3x3x3 rubik's with the Lament configuration pattern.

[ManBeast]

Yeah, I'd like to make it a 6x6x6 cube, would fit the theme of the cube, and would be VERY difficult to solve (at least time wise, methodology should be similar to a 4x4x4 in theory).

MB

[bitterplacebo]

I sat down with the 3x3x3 today and solved it for the first time. Only took me two hours to read, understand, and apply the method you linked.

The face colors of my cube are pretty terrible, though:

white, reflective silver, light gray, medium gray, dark gray, black

[ManBeast]

Yeah... sounds like a strange combo. Congrats though! Soon you'll start timing yourself, LOL

MB

[ManBeast]

You can get stickers at the official rubik's site (google).

Also, the Even cubes (with the exception of the 2x2x2) are "harder" to solve because you must create and orient the centers properly. The Odd cubes (3x3x3 and 5x5x5) have the centers set and immobile.

MB

[pantera101]

My sisters x boyfriend can do them realy fast over and over.He showed me that he gets them to make a cross,and then goes from there.He says the cross takes a little work sometimes,but after that it's nothing.

[ManBeast]

For me the hardest part is the one right after the cross, it just seems the most tedious, that or getting the top corners right. those two parts are the hardest (on the 3x3x3).

On the 4x4x4 the only hard part for me are the times when I have to flip one edge in the last layer.

MB

[ManBeast]

You might be a bit off if you are working on solving the 4x4x4 while doing your cardio on a bike...

Not that I'm guilty... not at all

MB