EQUA PUZZLE SOLUTION (in 24 seconds)

Today I'm showing you the Hanayama Equa puzzle solution. It's a level 5 out of a possible 6 difficulty, although, in my opinion, I think this one should be a level 6.
To get more puzzles like the Equa puzzle, check out the Puzzle Master website; www.puzzlemaster.ca/?a=816591
The key to solving this puzzle is in the surrounding shell of the puzzle. It's very, very slight but one of the axis' is slightly thinner than all the other parts. This allows the disc with the writing on to slide over the top and out of the shell.
To put the Equa puzzle back together, you simply reverse every step you go through to take it apart.
The equa puzzle solution is a tough one to find first time around. Hopefully the steps in the video make it easy enough to follow.
Timestamps-
0:00 - Intro
0:23 - Disassembly
3:50 - Assembly
5:55 - Tips & Tricks

[@davestatikpoi]

This was incredibly frustrating. I like puzzles but these types that need delicate precision and rely on unfair requirements of finding imperceptible differences in machine tolerance to solve while also being fumbley are my least favorite. After hours of trying, I had the right sort of idea but the idea wouldn't work because I didn't know the incredibly specific way to do that idea, I gave up and watched this, and it STILL took an hour with the video in front of me. Maybe I dont have the delicate touch.

[@RossDM]

I feel that frustration, even when you know what you're looking for on this one, it's almost impossible to spot.

[@ixw820]

I solved this puzzle before watching any videos about it, but I have a story about it: I got this apart after a few months of occasionally messing with it. Then, like a stupid idiot, I tried to put it back together without checking if the rings fit together correctly. It got super stuck and it became *way* harder to pull apart again. After another few months of occasionally messing with it, I eventually got it back apart, was *very* careful to check that the rings fit together right, then I got it back together within the next 10 minutes. Over all, it took like a year to completely solve, and I have no plans to ever play with that one again. I don't really get why they knocked it down to a 5/6 puzzle... it's so gnarly. Good puzzle 10/10

[@wbremnerable]

I5 seconds, however, I couldn’t figure out how to solve this puzzle initially with out your video, amazing puzzle!

[@ronaldkoh5281]

This is the first Hanayama puzzle I got, and I took it on without any foreknowledge, wanting to test myself. It was quite an adventure, on and off, the tussle went. During about two weeks, I managed to disassemble it, but then when I put it back it could not fit exactly, just could not get it right. I took it apart, then put it back again, but then it would not get assembled properly again. Strangely both times this thing came apart two different ways. Undaunted more time was spent, with two other puzzles, and then this thing obeyed, and settled nicely, like a ball that can be spun in a shell. But I could not remember the steps taken, so the solution was more like pure luck, through grit and determination with some figuring step by step as it went. I got it done three times, each with another set, but I could not remember the way I got them fixed, no specific method. Nothing to remember by. Then I watched your video, and thanks to you Ross DM, your method is great.

[@ikspe01]

Nice solution. I solved it on my own using a different sequence, where both rings have to be positioned on the same (thinner) axis. However I was still struggling to do it smoothly and therefore came to your video, which is actually showing a totally different way. Just as a suggestion, it might be nice to explore alternative ways in a video. BTW, I even saw a 3rd solution on another video, but it was rather a glitch from tolerance flaw. Thanks!

[@RossDM]

That's interesting, I'll have a play around.

[@ikspe01]

I played around my original solution a bit more and was actually able to make it smoother. Here is the result, sorry for the poor video quality, I can't compare with yours. I hope it shall be ok to get the idea. Just tell me if not. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIvKkpyOermHd80 I believe it might even be quicker. It took hardly more than 30secs here, without racing. BTW, I tried the other "glitchy" solution I was referring to in my previous comment. It does not work on my model. It seems the manufactuer has tightened the tolerances.

[@RossDM]

@@ikspe01 Very good

[@JakeMueller12]

@@ikspe01 I did it this way too, thought I was the only one. Thanks for documenting!

[@bobbobert9379]

​@@ikspe01 I originally did it this way, but then struggled to get it back on every time (because I didn't notice the thinner axis and got lucky) so I came to this, was surprised at the different solution and that there's a thinner axis. Incredibly frustrating

[@Cer000s]

I managed to take it apart by moving both pieces over to a single axis. I was suspecting that one of the axis was thinner just from the way it looked but I had no way to confirm this. Seeing as to how you are actually supposed to take it apart makes me feel like i did something completely unintended that actually worked which I feel is rare. Obviously I couldnt figure out how to put it back together and just wanted to reaffirm my suspicion.

[@RossDM]

I did exactly the same thing when I solved it first time. Got extremely lucky that I ended up on the only axis these moves could have worked on. Lucky us!

[@norcalzx3]

Mine is broken. 3:44 I'm holding it just like you are, but the piece in my right hand is upside down compared to yours. The groove on the right side part is facing towards me/down where yours is facing away/up.

[@norcalzx3]

NVM, i just wasn't done solving it. Yours somehow got ahead a step or something. Straight in the trash...Had this paper weight for over 2 years.

[@michaelporter6772]

Apparently, I'm going to have to watch this a few more times. I wish I got lucky with it, like you did the first time. Definitely a level 6 difficulty. I get it stuck more than anything else. How do you tell which side is thinner? They all look the same to me.

[@RossDM]

It's a very subtle difference. Worst case scenario you can just trial and error your way to the thinnest side. looking at the 4 axis at each cross over point and looking for the odd one out is probably the best way.

[@michaelporter6772]

@@RossDM Thanks for the quick replies. You're the best! I did what you said, and did solve it just now, and that's it for tonight. I'll put it back together tomorrow. I was about to sand off those little knobbly bits. I laughed each time you called them that. Love your mind. Peace! ☮️

[@RossDM]

@@michaelporter6772 No worries. Thanks! Life advice: You should never sand your knobbly bits

[@michaelporter6772]

@@RossDM Lol, ty. Mental note taken. I had to come back to get help putting this back together.

[@angiechanning9257]

Thank you for your solution i finally done it with your help lol, now i would like to know what was the hardest puzzle you ever done please ?.

[@RossDM]

Well done! This one is definitely up there as one of the hardest but the Hourglass is the toughest I've done.

[@VAVS7414]

I can't seem to find a way to get the rings over to the thinner bar as it wasn't already in the right position when I got the product.

[@RossDM]

It's a lot more difficult than it looks. It involves using the other bars to manoeuvre those pesky nobbly bits into different positions

[@johnfournier6242]

Hello Ross--my wife tried this puzzle while i was away and now i cannot get it back the way it was inside the sphere?? can you help

[@RossDM]

Did you manage it?

[@kelseeydepew8937]

let me tell you .. . I have such a headache from this puzzle . Still haven’t figured it out 😭

[@RossDM]

Which part are you struggling with?

[@cricketson]

I got it apart without help. Putting it back together was more frustrating. Had to watch this in slow motion to catch what you were doing at the end of putting it back together.

[@RossDM]

Well done on separating it on your own, this is a very tough one.

[@awful1_871]

What if we already did the first part, but then did some something random and got messed up?

[@RossDM]

If it's stuck, whatever position you've got it in, you should be able to reverse what you've done to get it back to where it was.

[@REIKGON]

:( I got one for Xmas then my mom wanted to try and she got so angry she basically broke it

[@RossDM]

Oh dear...

[@frotoproxy]

I got my totally fed up and I dont know at all how to fix it

[@RossDM]

What position is it stuck in?

[@frotoproxy]

@@RossDM umm where can I send you a picture it's hard to explain

[@RossDM]

​@@frotoproxy My email address is [e-mail]

[@frotoproxy]

@@RossDM sure, sorry for the long response

[@johnfournier6242]

got this today--my 70 year old eyes cannot tell which arm is thinner-- ordered a micrometer for 15$ from amazon and will try it hahahah

[@johnfournier6242]

why did it block out my 70 year old eyes??

[@RossDM]

It's a very tough thing to spot.

[@R4VENLIMINALS]

TYSM I WON $40 BECAUSE OF UUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[@afariam]

THIS IS SOOOO FRUSTRATING i dont have it in a ball and im screaming because I CANT GET IT BACK INTO A CIRCLE

[@RossDM]

Relax, take a break and come back later.

[@afariam]

@@RossDM i got it into a circle its just frustrating *now i cant get it out of a circle*

[@viliammarko5189]

how to find the thin side

[@RossDM]

Got to do it by sight. It's difficult though.

[@RossDM]

Got to do it by sight. It's difficult though.

[@clintonandrews8237]

Took me 6hrs and 56 minutes nonstop. I’m pissed

[@RossDM]

Non-stop is impressive, you should be happy! I usually take breaks

[@tommyprior_]

I think mine is broken

[@RossDM]

What's broke?

[@chrischand5082]

I reckon that should be a level 6,

[@RossDM]

I wouldn't disagree.

[@R4VENLIMINALS]

this is so hard, lol. if i solve it i get $20 bucks so hopefully i get lucky and get it apart

[@andreyy.4748]

I can't get it to the starter position anymore

[@RossDM]

Which position are you stuck at?

[@andreyy.4748]

@@RossDM thank you for the reply! I shook the puzzle a couple of times and at got back together haha. The position I was stuck in was the the two knobs were above each other so I was having trouble turning one ring around to get back to the initial position

[@RossDM]

@@andreyy.4748 The trusty old shake move, works every time.

[@nitikaur7263]

It was so hard but i got it😅

[@seventhTuesday]

You need to find ways to be more specific. It might help if you solved it slower so that we could see what you were doing before you continue to the next step. I’ve been running your videos at .5 speed just so I can make sense of what you’re talking about, but that interferes with your explanation.

[@RossDM]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@destripapcs]

I get stuck... well I think I going to search some saw videos

[@TheEye57]

I tied mine to a rock and threw it in a lake.

[@RossDM]

Haha very understandable

[@michaelporter6772]

That's too funny. Serves it right.

[@mike23940]

Anyone think the solution on this as ... unsatisfying? So pretty to look at but so terrible to solve... thanks for the help tho.

[@RossDM]

I know what you mean, it's not a smooth, satisfying solve.

[@Ajz092]

Even with the solution I still can't get it. Worst puzzle ever.

[@RossDM]

It's certainly a tough one. It's hard to spot the smaller axis and then the moves required are still very tight. You'll manage it eventually, keep going...

[@user-dv8oh5hq6h]

Howwww

[@reecedavis288]

I did it on my own, but needed to know how to do it in order to reset it haha

[@RossDM]

Nice work, this is tough to disassemble

[@giacobowahlboghter5586]

The background music is too loud. I like your videos. They are great. But this video was unlistenable because of the loud background music.

[@Zacklifts_]

You need to be more specific

[@RossDM]

With which part?

[@Zacklifts_]

RossDM - Puzzle Solving All of them

[@feelfreefpv]

@@Zacklifts_ You really need to be more specific. :D