How to solve the insanely difficult Hanayama Cast Vortex?

The Hanayama Cast Vortex is a Grand Master 6 star puzzle, and is referred to one of the most difficult puzzles in the Hanayama cast puzzle range by many. It is said to be more difficult that the Enigma!

This video of my solution is one of my longest videos since starting this channel, as I try to be as clear as I can to help anyone whom is stuck when trying to solve this puzzle. Expect to spend a lot of time to figure out the details and the mechanism, but stick with it and following this video should help you solve the whole puzzle.

Enjoy the ride, and feel free to comment.

[zihindar]

This is a hard one for sure. Took lotta time for me to solve it properly. Great video!

[ANABURN]

What a difficult puzzle, in the beginning it looks easy but the solution indeed is complicated. Very well done!! 👏👍

[royrice]

Skip the stall and go to 1:00 minute. 👍

[Raul]

I got one. It convinced me that the mind that creates these things is really strange.

[theperegrinator]

Most of the Cast Vortex videos are hard to follow because :
(1) the 3 pieces are very similar ;
(2) the pieces are shiny and reflective ;
(3) it is difficult to see the grooves ;
(4) once the presenter turns the pieces around, you get lost and do not know which piece is which !
I would recommend the following to help the viewer:
(a) dye the 3 pieces with 3 different colours ;
(b) proceed slowly, pause after every move, show the status of the puzzle at different angles after each move ;
(c) do not take the video in one shot, the lighting may be good at a certain angle, but once the pieces are turned around, the lighting may not be good anymore ;
(d) keep reminding the viewers which piece is which and where the grooves are.

[TrevorMag]

After solving this, it was annoying to have to keep looking at the detailed notes I made. I therefore offer the following mnemonics:
Linking the first linear chain: Alex Van Halen
Linking the chain into a circle: AH!
Threading the three needles: A**Hole, ViagrA, Hi-Vis
If you understand all that, you're welcome :)