Tutorials/Mechanisms

Mechanisms are complex systems of blocks used to perform certain tasks, such as opening a door from afar or revealing a hidden staircase. These systems are built from simple components and normally involve some kind of user input, like breaking a torch, which generates some kind of result, like a door being revealed. Mechanisms can range from simple switches that open and close doors from a safe distance, to complex devices such as combination locks that prevent intruders from entering your fort.

This page is a work in progress, so feel free to add your own components and mechanisms as you build and the game develops. Pictures are encouraged, but not required.

Components
These are the basic, modular parts which can be combined to form any complex mechanism. Please note that individual items in the game are not considered components.

Physical Components

 * Water Channel
 * A channel in which Water can flow. Often used to break torches, causing things to fall


 * Tube
 * A long three by three structure that can be used for launching TNT or shockwaves


 * Piston Switch
 * Block 1 above ground level with redstone on top. Piston that moves across to stop circuit. Used so pressing a Button or Lever will stop another circuit.

Redstone Components
See Redstone circuits for an overview of simple components and Tutorials/Advanced Redstone Circuits for more complicated redstone mechanisms.

Mechanisms
Useful devices made from the combination of components.

Redstone Lamp Disco Floor

Obsidian Generator

A redstone operated lamp floor that alternates to give a flashing/disco floor affect.

Fully Automatic Reed/Sugar Cane Farm (AFK).

Space efficient reed farm.


 * X-Ray Device (NOTE! On some servers you are not allowed to use this!)
 * This device uses Glowstone and Pistons.


 * Pitfall Trap Using Pistons (Good for SMP)


 * Semi-Automatic Cocoa Bean Farm Using Water


 * Semi-Automatic Pumpkin Or Melon Farm
 * A Pumpkin and/or Melon farm you can harvest with a single push of Pressure Plate.


 * Semi-Automatic Reed Farm
 * A Reed farm you can harvest with a single push of Button.


 * Semi-Automatic Wheat Farm
 * A Wheat farm you can harvest with a single switch of a Lever.


 * Redstone Lamp LightHouse
 * A redstone wired sequence of Redstone Lamps to mimic the lighting of a working lighthouse. Video below.


 * Snow Generator
 * This machine generates snow.


 * Potion Dispenser
 * Make a dispenser dispense Splash Potions.
 * Place a dispenser one block over the floor level. Then place a Fence on the side the dispenser will shoot the potion out from. Then put a Pressure Plates on top of the fence.

Here is a video on how to make this:


 * Hidden Floor Staircase
 * Hidden staircase in the floor revealed by breaking a torch.
 * Make an inverted Sand or Gravel staircase in the floor of a room(one block wide), supported by torches. Make a Water channel or Water channels adjacent to the torches so that when they are filled, the torches break and the stairs will fall. (IMPORTANT: make sure that that the Sand or Gravel will cover the Water hole after it falls to avoid flooding) Make a Sand switch which opens a reservoir allowing Water to flow down a short channel to a pit. The pit allows the Water to drop beneath the floor and run to the torches holding the staircase.


 * Hidden Wall Staircase
 * Hidden staircase in the wall revealed by pulling a Lever, pressing a Button etc..
 * As there are many ways of making this, and it is quite hard to understand,
 * a video has been provided http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd1XmabZqzc


 * Hidden Ceiling Staircase
 * Hidden staircase in the ceiling of a room
 * Make a Gravel or Sand staircase in the ceiling of a room supported by torches connected to blocks of Sand supported by more torches. Make a channel run next to the lower torches and back to a reservoir. Make a Sand switch that can open the reservoir. When the torch in the Sand switch is broken, Water should flow down the channel breaking the first set of torches causing the Sand to fall. The Sand would both close off the channel to negate flooding and break the torches attached to it, causing the staircase to fall.
 * Example of one 'step' and the reservoir system

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%+%%%%%%%%%% %%             %%+%%%%%%%%%%+ ~ %%  %%+%%%%%%%%O + ~ %% %%^+%%%%%%%%%+%%%%%% %% ^O%%%%%%%%+%%%%%% %% %%%%%%%%%%+%%%%%% %           %+%%%%%%                   %           %+%%%%%%                   %            ^%%%%%%                    %           % %%%%%%                   %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%


 * % = Stone
 * + = Sand
 * ~ = Water
 * ^ = Torch
 * O = Channel running 'into the page'


 * Assuming the two channels in this picture are connected, when the torch near the floor level is broken Water from the resivour will flow to the other torchs and drop the 'step' down to the floor. other sequential steps can be added to make a staircase.


 * Hidden Sand Stairs
 * Look at it properly to understand.
 * hidden [[Sand]] stairs.jpg

Redstone Mechanisms

 * Combination Lock
 * A door which is opened by using levers to input a certain combination. The levers are wired to an "AND" gate, with hidden redstone circuitry to open the metal door. Once inside, a Lever is placed next to the metal door to close it behind you. A step-by-step tutorial on how to build one can be found here.


 * Rapid Smoker

A device that rapidly produces smoke. To build dig a 1x1 hole in the ground and place a ring of cobblestone 1 block above the surface, with the hole of the ring above the hole in the ground. Now place Lava in the middle of the cobble ring, then place Water next to the Lava on the surface. Now put two repeaters set to 1 tick next to the Water. Place 2 pieces of redstone infront of the repeaters next to the Lava, then hook up a repeater clock and connect it to the redstone. It should look like this.

And you now have a rapid smoker!


 * Item Activated Door
 * A door that only opens when an item is dropped into a pit of Water.
 * Make three-deep a pit near an iron door. Build a level channel away from the base of the pit. Place a wood Pressure Plate in the channel no more than 8 blocks from the base of the pit. Wire the plate to the door (not through the channel). You will have to run the wire back up to the surface, or very nearly so, but it can be concealed under well-placed walls. Cover the channel and place a block of Water at the top of the pit, allowing Water to flow down the channel. Any item thrown in the pit should flow down to the plate and cause the wire to activate, thus opening the door.


 * Flashing Indicator Light
 * A blinking red torch activated when a Pressure Plate is stepped on. Can be used to tell if mobs are sneaking through your caves.
 * Make a Pressure Plate wired to the input of a red torch. Wire the output of the first torch to the input of a new red torch. Run the output of the new torch to its own input, creating a blinking loop. Wire the output of the new torch to the input of any other torch to carry the blinking effect.
 * Example:




 * The loop on the right will flicker on and off when the plate is stepped on.

Warning: This burns out quickly if a single torch is used, so take this fact in mind.You can also use a redstone repeater to slow down the process on the loop back to the torch so it does not burn out


 * Multiple torches hooked up:




 * Sound could be added to make an alarm by wiring note blocks to the flashing torches.


 * Block Destruction as a Trigger
 * It is possible for an electronic output to be generated as a result of a block being destroyed. To achieve this, place a Redstone Torch on the side of a block facing away from you. Next, set up an inverter between the block and your mechanism. When the block is destroyed, the torch will fall, the lack of input will be inverted, and the mechanism will activate. This can be used to make traps, as shown in this video.

The bottom torch powers the block above it, powering it and all redstone torches attached to the block. Each level (block with torch on top) acts like its own repeater. This also can go upward until the map ends while still producing power. If you want to dispose of this quickly or are making experiments just use Gravel or Sand for the block type.
 * Redstone Tower

The glass allows the redstone current to pass through while the other moveable blocks do not. This can be used to operate doors, bridges, etc. The best part is you can use multiple Buttons and make doors that open from both sides using the same circuit. The tutorial can be viewed here. There are also images with pistons.
 * GlassSwitch


 * 2 Wire Control
 * With a lot of repeaters and AND-gates it is possible to control multiple outputs with only 2 wires. It can be very tricky to get the timing right. You need a pulse generators in both wires to get a pulse with a defined length and in most cases the output pulse needs to be made longer. As shown in this video you have a top wire and a bottom wire with repeater. On one side you have repeater between the Buttons on the top wire and none (or as needed) in the bottom wire. At the other side none (or as needed) on the top wire and matching repeater (to the others top side) on the bottom one. between which you place AND-gates (matching the Buttons). The Idea is that the signals only meet at one AND gate at the same time.
 * Videotutorial: watch
 * Example use:


 * Redstone "Clock"
 * When working redstone, when activating the wire, it only does its job once. Sometimes this is good, like with doors, but sometimes this isn't good, like with note blocks. A simple way to repeat the current is the "clock" as follows:

Dig four 1 block holes in the shape of a cross without the center. Place redstone torches in the holes. Place blocks on top of the red stone torches. This is not part of the process, but is need when actually powering something. Place one block of redstone in the center of the cross. This will cause the redstone to restart rapidly, which can be useful when working with note blocks.

Piston Doors
1x2 and 2x2 Compact Piston Door.

Piston doors can be as easy as 2 Sticky Pistons attached to blocks that move inwards revealing a 2x1 passage way, or as complicated as the one seen in the original Piston revealer that Mojang released. (as seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZJr86d2IUo&feature=feedu )

These "Jeb doors" can also be referred to as flush-inset Piston doors. Here is an example of one of these, with a redstone torch key system added on. Once broken down, it's not extremely difficult to build.



For an easy Piston door with no Sticky Pistons:



For a Piston door with no Pistons visible: 

Piston Gates
Piston gates, or portcullises, consist of a large set of fences that will be pushed up when the gate is opened, and down when closed.

Here is a very small and resource efficient build with a fluid opening motion:

More complicated Redstone circuit mechanisms are on Tutorial/Advanced Electronic Mechanisms.

5x4
This design allows one to get a great view on the surroundings and enables you to connect and stop on any floor you want. The video also contains horizontal Piston transport.

4x4
or

This design is even more compact than the previous one, however it blocks sight. Great for building elevators in shafts. Note: As of 1.2.5﻿ update you need to set the pistons to 3 instead of 2. The first is still to be set on 4.

Piston Two-Way Elevators
Two-way elevators can be built, but they are slower and much more complex than the previous ones. They also require a lot more space and resources. The below is a slightly modified design by CxoLethe.

The two-way elevator can be built the following way:

The engine shown below of this text uses wool between the pistons and the fence gates/trapdoors. However, instead of wool any other block can be put there, as long as pistons can push it.

The schematics for the wiring assuming that you know how to make a 1 tick long impulse. A 1 tick long impulse can be obtained using a pulse limiter. In both of the schematics, empty squares represent air blocks, and repeaters all have the minimum delay possible.

A screenshot of an implementation of this design:

Launcher Pads
A launchpad is similar in design to a TNT cannon, but instead of launching horizontally, it launches vertically either straight up or at an angle, depending on the design. There are many ways to create them, but some methods are more efficient than others. For instance, a simple design would be the cross pattern, as shown below.

This is what it would look like from above:

S S @~%~@ S%S %%&%% S%S @~%~@  S S


 * ~ = Water
 * S = Water source block
 * @ = Building block
 * % = Building block with Redstone on top
 * & = Building block with pressure pad on top

The above design can easily be expanded in size and improved, but it is one of the easiest designs so far. Another simple design, yet much more powerful, is here: Note that Redstone cannot be placed on glowstone in minecraft 1.0.0, so glowstone has to be replaced with another block. as of 1.2.1, Redstone can be placed on glowstone.

Redstone Torch
~ is redstone wire o is redstone repeater

~O

After you build it put a torch down then take it way. You will have a everlasting redstone torch.

Cannons
A cannon is a mechanism that uses TNT to launch TNT or other entities. Cannons come in many sizes with many additional features including multiple shots, and semi-automatic reloading. Cannons have two main TNT groups, the Charge and the Shot. The Charge is primed first and the Shot is primed before the Charge explodes. Simple Cannons don't require much redstone knowledge, but as features are added (variable delay, for example), the redstone component can become much more advanced. Here is a simple tutorial on how to make one ( Noting that a cannon could be used by a grief-er to destroy other players homes from a distance)

One-Button Cannon with a Minecart used as delay
This cannon is automatic, once you press the Button, it not only lights up the "boosters" but also sends a minecart around the cannon that triggers a detector rail, which lights up the charge. Saves redstone, but takes a lot of iron (However, if you get rails from abandoned mineshafts this design can even save you resources!).

Human Cannon
A human cannon is a simple mechanism which allows the player to launch himself in the air, by using TNT and water. Here is a simple tutorial on how to make one:

Building Protection Sensors
The following are circuits designed to prevent changes to your structures without the use of Admin Powers.

Wall Protections
There are multiple ways of protecting a wall. Firstly being the easiest which is to protect the bottom of a two high wall, players going through it would break both and ergo the bottom as well, this trips the circuit giving you a positive redstone circuit.



(X) stands for a floor / wall of any material that redstone can be placed on. (-) stands for redstone. Below is a 2D cut of a piece of the wall. The principle of it is that when the lower block is broken the circuit is then connected.

XXXX XXXX X X-- X-XX XXXX

Door Protection
Iron doors are good and strong, however their ability to be broken is their major problem. One of the best ways of avoiding this is as follows.

To avoid the problem with a torch being placed to open the door easily place an iron door in a position so that its ON state blocks the entrance, then by powering it from beneath, you can stop it from being opened.

To then avoid someone breaking the door, place a block of Water above it, then another torch a block away behind the door. When the door is broken, the Water falls down and breaks the torch, giving you a negative which can be used.

X stands for ground. w stands for Water. I stands for torch. - stands for wire

XwXXXXX | | I--- XXXXXXX

Also, instead of Water, try Lava.

However, due to the slowness of Lava (and Water), it may be beneficial to make a Sand or Gravel block drop, dislodging a piece of wiring or a torch.

Liquid redirection technology
Redstone circuits can be used to redirect the flow of Lava or Water in the following manner:

These systems can be useful in many complicated mechanisms, or simply for aesthetic value.

Light Sensor
With the improvement of villager AI in the most recent snapshots (post-1.1), compact, sensitive, and resettable day/night detectors can be created by utilizing their differing day/night pathfinding systems. (Note: This does not work in minecraft 1.2.4, due to the fixing of the bug that caused NPC:s to be confused on not-full blocks)

This is a video showing how the smallest version is built and used.

A one-time use light sensor can be created using flowers and mushrooms, detailed in http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=1020&t=165642.

Block Updates
See Tutorials/Block update detector.

Vertical switch
A vertical switch can be made using pistons and sand blocks. The uses is limited by the tower of sand which is placed in front of the piston. When the piston is activated by a button, the sand gets pushed down into a hole (or from a tower). In the bottom of the hole you have a torch and a repeater then a nothing where the sand block is supposed to land. By adding a second repeater 2 blocks in line from the first one, you will have a broken circuit which is activated by the sand block which is falls down by gravity. Additional pistons can be used to push the sand at the bottom to reset the mechanism. For example by adding a Torch where the Sand falls when the mechanism is reset, you do not need to remove the blocks manually. There is still no way to generate Sand dynamically so you are dependent of a tower of sand at the top. This tower can be as high as you want (and Minecraft permits). The number of sand blocks available could be increased by having a second sand-tower which is supplied by another piston, when the first tower is empty.

Side view: S  S   S  |SPB x|x x|x x|x x|x <|<T
 * = Air, S=Sand/Gravel, P= Piston, B=Button x=any block, <=Repeater, T= Redstone Torch, V= Void (endless space underneath bedrock).

Top- (left) and Front view (right) (only reset mechanism at bottom with sand block): B P         BPS|x <S<T       xx|x |         xx|x xx|x xTx

Pressure Plate Trap
Make a 20 x 20 x 4. Put a layer of Water on the bottom. Put TNT on top of the Water, except for one pathway which you can get across with any block that doesn't apply to the laws of gravity. Put Pressure Plates on top of them.

Bank System
This is an updated, better, expandable bank system. This video also has an older bank system showing how to make one without using powered rails.

This is a simple bank system using powered rails, which should be helpful for Minecrafters less experienced with redstone.

Guaranteed Death Landmine
This form of landmine causes mobs to fall through a wide Sand pit being supported by TNT. the mobs will then fall into the pit and will be killed by the TNT.NOTE: This is NOT guaranteed to kill spiders, as they can climb out of the pit.

First, dig a 3x3x3 hole in the ground.Put a layer of torches on the bottom, then a layer of TNT, then a layer of either sand or Gravel. Now, put Pressure Plates on top of the pit.To confuse players, put Pressure Plates around a large area.It should look like this: 1=torch 2=TNT 3=Sand/Gravel 4=Pressure Plate 5=obsidian(optional,to keep players from breaking the wall to get out) 6=another block

444 63336 52225 51115

NOTE: This is better to use on a beach or in a desert, because it is full of Sand

High speed item transportation & making items travel upwards
Since pistons came out, upwards item transportation became possible, and combining this with ice makes a high-speed item transportation machine. Ice under Water streams makes the items go a lot faster, so if you are living in a tundra biome, you get a big speed boost. If you aren't living in a tundra biome, it is still possible for you to make the machine (using silk touch or without the ice).

Detecting Redstone Placement
The new silent BUD switch design updates not only when there is an update going on adjacent to it, but also updates when there is redstone wire placed 1 block away from the BUD switch.

Powering Lamps without actually powering them
Lamps have a glitch, that if you power the redstone lamp directly, then make the wire turn it will stay turned on. See video for better explanation

Boat RS-NOR Latch
It is possible to make a boat-based RS-NOR latch and save up 4 redstone. Instead of the 6 redstone the old design uses, this design uses 2 pistons, therefore 2 redstone. Has a few disadvantages as well as advantages.

1 Wide ABBA switch
Basically as compact as it gets, this design is a very compact design of a 1 wide ABBA switch.