hello,
i have just joined the forums, and am interested in learning to speedsolve.

i have been cubing for 4 weeks now and i am using the method that you get with the cube and i am getting 1:20 average (or there abouts).

i have made a few little adjustments to the method to suit me.

i am wondering how i should start learning to speedsolve and also some tips and advice would be nice.

please dont say that i should lubricate my cube, i know that but i cant dismantle my cube to be able to do it

well, despite your last comment, it is absolutely necessary to lube your cube.

As for starting on a new method for speed, I would recommend first looking around and finding a "speed-proven" method to your liking. There are many: Fridrich, Roux, Petrus, Heise, Waterman, Razoux-Shultz, Salvia's methods, Gaetan Guimond's corners method, the list goes on and on and on. You have to decide whether you want to me more intuition-oriented or more brute-force-algorithm-oriented. Then, start working with the new method. Whether that means working on intuition, or memorizing algs, you should keep a steady memorization/practice regiment. Cubing is like working out (in a messed up, roundabout way). If you don't do it regularly, your skill level and range of abilities will diminish.

SO, do all that first. I know it seems like a lot, but you will get the hang of whatever method you choose quickly.

Quinn

i intend to just use a well known method, i have been looking on fridrich's site but i don't understand how you utilize this method, all i see is a bunch of algs to learn

and as for lubing my cube, anybody got any advice on dismantling it?

Well, don't use fridrich's site for algs. They are un-honed and confusing. I used Katsuyki Konishi's algs at http://www.planet-puzzle.com.

For dismantling, turn the top layer 45 degrees, pull down on on the corner-edge pair, and pull up on the top layer edge right above it. the edge should pop right out. However, if it doesn't, you can pry the edge out with a flat hear screwdriver. Either way should work.

Quinn

yey thanks, i got it opened up now, i will get some silicone spray sometime and i know a few sites which tell me how to lube it up.

i will have a look on that site this week aswell, i will keep you updated on the progress.

P.S. have you got msn messenger, and if you do would i be able to add you please?

wow, just opening up the cube and remantling it has lubed it, i just got a 1:18 and i was doing terrible.

where can i get silicone lube from (im in the UK btw)

I just got some from amazon.co.uk, not great.

Teflon is a good lube though, highly suggested

~Thom

teflon, slippiest substance known to man

i need some advice on learning the algos,

i am going to start by learning the fridrich method and just need to know how i should learn the algos, i know this is a hard thing to ask about but maybe someone can tell me how they did and stuff.....

well i think i have a method to learn the algorithms,

i am going to set up the scenario in each algo and then keep repeating the moves until i know it by heart,

is this a good way to go about it?

i am also learning the mirrors for them too

That's a good way of doing it for the last layer where it's Recognize, Alg, Recognize, Alg.
When I learned them, I just worked over 2 or 3 before I went to bed each night.

However, the F2L is a completely different monster.
Check out Doug Reed's Intuitive guide to the F2L
http://68.206.3.16/~doug/f2l/f2l.htm
I would venture to say that most people do it like this rather than memorizing all of the F2L cases.

TBTTyler Fox

well that lower the number of algorithms to learn, is it as efficient as the fridrich method though?

Pembo, you have to be very patient.

Start with an intuitive f2l. I mean, use only 2 or 3 algs to connect the pairs and then insert them.

Then start learning the other cases, but slowly.

Then learn 3 cicles of corner's and edge's 3 cycles from pll.

Then learn all pll

Eventually learn oll in two steps, one to do the cross and another to orientate the corners.

Once you get this, finish learning full oll...

Hope this work........... that's how I did it...............

Good luck!!

Simply put, the intuitive F2L IS the Fridrich method.
Pick out a CE pair, and figure out how to do it intuitively, and I'm positive that specific alg will show up on one of the comprehensive F2L sheets.
Also, understanding what's going on vs. blindly performing algs gives you a lot more options and an ability to cancel moves in sequential algs.

TBTTyler Fox

i understand this is a long process, and i have a lot of spare time

it's just that that intuitive guide only has less than 10 algos, the fridrich has 22 for F2L, i know it must be a brief list only, but i was thinking that i could just learn all the fridrich method's algos and understand them from her site, my brain can accept all that information, but maybe that guide will be good as a starter to learning the algos?

The idea is that even though there are only 10 algs, you can apply the knowledge from that page to figure out the other 12.
When you figure out something for yourself, you always remember it better.

~TBTTyler Fox

I've got my cube lubed now!! WOOT

I have a very basic version of F2L now, which requires 1 or 2 algos to solve the edge and corner pieces, i can't do it fast yet but i am working on it...

i will keep you updating with progress

Average: 1:09.88

Fastest Time: 51.76
Slowest Time: 1:24.02

Individual Times:
1) (1:24.02)
2) 1:20.67
3) (51.76)
4) 1:10.53
5) 1:14.97
6) 1:06.86
7) 1:03.41
8) 1:18.53
9) 59.30
10) 1:18.02
11) 57.53
12) 1:09.02

This is my current average, non of these were lucky solves, I am using a very primitive method of F2L, (only using 4 algorithms, the ones that have the pieces in place but not oriented and the corner solved and the edge inserted algo), i then solve the last layer using the technique that comes in the instruction booklet with the cube, i know i need to learn more algorithms and get more practise but do you think of the times for now?