Tools 

Tools for Puzzle Cubes and Speedcubing

Most minor cube problems can be fixed yourself if you have a few small tools at hand. In this category you will find screwdrivers and adjustment keys, scrapers for removing stickers, as well as products for cleaning and gluing. They come in handy when setting up a new cube, when lubing it, and when something comes loose or cracks.

Screwdrivers for Tension Adjustment

In many cubes, layer tension is set with screws in the core. A tighter cube is more stable and pops less often. When loosened, it turns more lightly and handles corner cutting better, but loses some control. Small screwdrivers are used for this kind of adjustment, for example the MoYu Mini Screwdriver (approx. 36 mm tall) or the Z Mini Screwdriver from Zcube. They are small, so they easily fit in a case together with your cube. A tool that matches the screw size won't damage the screw head as easily as a random screwdriver from your household toolbox.

Adjustment Key for GAN Cubes

In GAN cubes, adjustment often works differently. Tension and compression (centre travel) are set with marked nuts, which you turn with a dedicated key. The GAN Y Adjust Tool is exactly that kind of tool. It is useful when the original key from the box has gone missing or when you want a spare, for example in your backpack for competitions. Before buying, check the product description to make sure it fits the adjustment system of your model.

Removing Stickers

The Lanlan Sticker Razor and the Mini Scraper with a 1.5-inch blade come in handy when you want to replace worn stickers or switch to a different set. The blade slips easily under the edge of a sticker, so you don't have to scratch it off with your fingernail. It is best to hold it at a low angle and without pressing hard, so you don't scratch the plastic. These are bladed tools, so don't give them to younger children to use on their own.

Cleaning and Minor Repairs

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in a spray bottle is useful when you want to clean old lube off the pieces before applying new lube, or degrease a surface before applying new stickers. The spray lets you apply a small amount of liquid without flooding the whole cube.

Joker CA Glue 20g is a cyanoacrylate glue, the popular "superglue". It will reattach a fallen-off center cap or logo, as well as a small cracked piece. Apply it very sparingly and away from places where pieces rub against each other. Glue that gets into the mechanism can lock up the layers.

Where to Start?

To begin with, a tool matched to your cube is enough: a small screwdriver for models with screws in the core, or a key for GAN cubes. A sticker scraper, isopropyl alcohol and glue will come in handy later, once you start servicing your cubes yourself. They work best together with lube when you take your cube apart for a full setup.