Tutorials/Cobblestone farming

Cobblestone farming uses a Cobblestone generator to produce cobblestone without damaging the terrain. Cobblestone generators work on the principle that when a lava stream comes into contact with water, the lava is turned into cobblestone. This fresh cobblestone then prevents the two streams from touching. When this fresh cobblestone is removed, the two fluids will produce another piece of cobblestone.

Many generator designs exist, but the most basic is a 10-block long trench with a water source block at one end, and a lava source block at the other. This will create cobblestone next to the lava source block.

One must be careful not to accidentally create obsidian, which happens when water comes into contact with a lava source block (See Tutorials/Obsidian Farming). A basic understanding of fluids is helpful to prevent this.

Why Build a Cobblestone Generator?
While the popularity of building any form of cobblestone generator varies, there are many reasons why a player could build a cobblestone generator.

Here's a list of the most common reasons:


 * A close proximity to a cobblestone generator would save time traveling from your shelter to the nearest mine.
 * Owning a cobblestone generator will avoid ruining the integrity of a cave or underground shelter.
 * Some Survival Multiplayer Servers tend to have a big demand for cobblestone.
 * Custom maps or challenge maps sometimes require a cobblestone generator in order to progress.
 * Superflat maps tend to be extremely low on resources.
 * Wanting a self-repairing object (i.e. wall, floor, pillar).
 * For decoration.

Standard (Pistonless) Cobblestone Generator
Standard generators have been around for quite a while. Their popularity, however, is limited because cobblestone is so readily available. Standard generators have the player mine the fresh cobblestone, which they then collect. The main issue with these type of cobblestone generators is that the cobblestone loot can fall into the lava, destroying the item. Even though cobblestone is a renewable resource, this greatly reduces efficiency.However, when using the genorator used most often in Skyblock, if you take out the block under the cobblestone, it will greatly increase the efficiency.

Best Examples of Standard Cobblestone Generators:

Simple as a lava stream touching a water stream.
 * The Most Basic Cobblestone Generator

A balanced unit that is expandable, for multiplayer use. The water stream encourages Cobblestone loot towards the player, making it marginally more efficient.
 * A Simple Cobblestone Generator

It is suggested to use obsidian blocks behind the lava source blocks, as this will stop you from accidentally mining a hole in the back wall.
 * Fountain Style

This design features a lower chance of the cobblestone being destroyed by lava, but it is significantly larger.
 * From Below

Piston Cobblestone Generator
Pistons can be used to automate the cobblestone generator. Piston cobblestone generators work on the same principle as standard generators, but, rather than mining, a piston is what clears the fresh cobblestone or stone allowing the streams to touch once again. Piston cobblestone generators can be used in two ways, to create a large supply of cobblestone that the player can mine later, or to keep the cobblestone as blocks, which can be used for self-repairing structures.

Best Examples of the Piston Cobblestone Generator: Cobblestone is generated and pushed out according to the redstone clock.
 * Basic Piston Cobblestone Generator

This generator design accomplishes a consistent flow of four cobblestone blocks for every fourth piston pumping cycle. The four blocks are generated from the ground going upwards, negating any chance of the cobblestone burning from touching lava.
 * Cobblestone "Factory" Version 1 Version 2 Version 3

Components of a Piston Generator
There are three basic components to consider in a piston cobblestone generator:
 * The Core. This part includes the water and lava that creates the fresh cobblestone.
 * A clock generator. While not mandatory for all Piston Cobblestone Generators, this part circulates a pulse to the piston that pushes fresh cobblestone out.
 * Secondary Pistons. While optional, these parts move the fresh cobblestone further, allowing for more cobblestone to be generated. Either to have cobblestone readily available to be mined or to have a self repairing structure (i.e. wall, floor).

The Core


The piston pushing the stone/cobblestone is always non-sticky.

This part can be very similar to standard cobblestone generators. The lava and water mix in front of the piston. One thing to consider is that the piston must be accessible by redstone. There is a hole at the end of the water stream which draws the water straight. When attached to a redstone clock, this will create a single row of cobblestone 13 blocks long (since the limit a piston can push blocks is 12 blocks).

The stone generator is rarely used without pistons, as lava needs to be directly above the stone generated. Lava must flow down into water flowing in front of the piston. Like cobblestone generators, it will make a row of stone up to 13 blocks long.

Redstone Clock Generator
A basic understanding of redstone is helpful but not necessarily required.

The ideal clock will send a pulse shortly after the stone/cobblestone has been created, making way for a new piece of stone/cobblestone. The generator can be toggled by placing a lever on the side of the block with the redstone torch.

This simple clock is created by placing a redstone torch onto the side of a block, with a piece of redstone dust on the direct opposite of this block. Note that the redstone torch must be attached to the side of the same block that will have the diode on it. The diode should have a maximum delay for a cobblestone generator. The connection to the pistons can branch off the redstone torch or dust.

Sample side view of the clock required for a generator: l x - d - x r - x - y  x - x - x (Ground)

x: a covering block such as dirt or stone d: a diode/repeater r: redstone torch y: redstone dust l: lever

note: the dashes do not represent spacings

Secondary Pistons
Since pistons can only push a maximum of 12 blocks, the core will only produce a limit of 13 cobblestone blocks. This can be greatly increased with secondary pistons that guide the row of cobblestone in other directions. In a way, it is a similar idea as the core piston in that it removes the fresh cobblestone in order for more to be created. Self repairing structures tend to use several secondary pistons and one or two cores.

Triggering a secondary piston can be done a few ways. The secondary pistons can be connected to the same redstone clock as the core, which periodically extend the piston. This can be annoying if you are working in the area as pistons make considerable noise. Alternatively, a Redstone Repeater can send a signal through the block which detects when a piece of cobblestone is present. This can then send a signal to a line of secondary pistons which trigger simultaneously.

Best Examples of Secondary Piston Usage: An example of secondary pistons used to rebuild a damaged wall.
 * Self Repairing Wall

An example of secondary pistons used to rebuild a damaged floor.
 * Self Repairing Floor

Smooth Stone generator
As of 1.9, lava flowing into water from above creates smooth stone. Stone can be mined slightly faster than cobblestone, it can also be obtained as stone if using a pickaxe with the Silk Touch enchantment and gives self-repairing structures a different, more natural look.

Best Examples of a Smooth Stone Generator: As it is faster to mine, it can be more time efficient to use a smooth stone generator over a cobblestone one.
 * Smooth Stone Generator

A basic smooth stone generator that can be expanded to have multiple outlets, for multiplayer use.
 * Expandable Smooth Stone Generator

A design that negates the Water Source block from turning into Cobblestone which is a common issue among Smooth Stone generators.
 * Fast Self-Repairing Smooth stone Generator Tutorial

More Video Tutorials/Examples
This design is the easiest to build and the most basic. It is simply lava and water placed in the ground with a place to mine the cobble from.
 * The Most Basic Cobblestone Generator

Self-Repairing Fast Smooth-stone Generator Tutorial. It is automatic, repairing, very fast and effective.
 * Self-Repairing Fast Smoothstone Generator Tutorial

This design offers a completely covered and compact version of a cobblestone farm. This design's size should minimize possible lag and includes a switch, to control production.
 * A Simplified, Fully Automatic Piston Clock Based Generator

This design is a very efficient cobble generator, doesn't lag your game, is very small, and fairly easy to build. Unlike others, this version has a built-in failsafe, so it never breaks.
 * Full-Auto Piston Generator with Failsafe

This uses a four sided repeater clock, but with uneven delay. The piston is retracted 5/6th of the cycle.
 * Piston generator

This compact design triggers when cobblestone is generated rather than using an external clock which means it provides the player fresh cobblestone much faster.
 * Cobblestone Detecting Piston Generator

This Generator is the version for Smooth Stone without clock for enhanced speed and reduced lag. (Smooth Stone can be mined faster, too)
 * Smooth Stone Detecting Generator

This shows how secondary pistons move the row of cobblestone from the core. They trigger at every clock cycle.
 * Secondary Pistons

This shows how signals can go through solid blocks using repeaters. This will trigger independently of a central clock and is a viable way of setting up secondary pistons to minimize noise.
 * Block Detector

This generator uses no redstone and is quite efficient. It works using the 'tight' spacing block on the fence to let the cobblestone fall, while keeping you up.
 * No redstone

Anleitungen/Pflasterstein-Fabrik Tutoriels/Cultiver la pierre Útmutatók/Kőtörmelék-farm Генератор булыжников