How To: Build a Hidden Drawbridge with Redstone in Minecraft

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Looking to build an awesome one-way entrance into your base? Why not create an awesome drawbridge so that no one can enter without your permission? This style of drawbridge can be completely hidden from unwanted enemies, so there's no need to worry!

Step 1 Layout

Your base layout will need to be 3 blocks up off the ground. 

Start out by creating a rectangle that is 8 blocks wide by 11 blocks long. Keep in mind that your lever will be going at the back of your drawbridge. This means that in the image shown below, our lever will be placed at the back of the image on the solid platform.

At the opposite end of where you want your lever to go, create a 6 long and 2 wide line. You will do this twice on each side of the rectangle. Make sure that you start your lines 1 block away from the side!

Clear out the center of the rectangle so that there is a hole 2 blocks wide and 6 blocks long.

Step 2 Lever Positioning

On the right side of your layout, at the back, you will need to place a block. This block is where your future lever will be placed. This block will be placed 1 block from the back of the platform, and 3 blocks behind the 2 block wide line on the right side of your layout.

Step 3 Sticky Pistons!

Under your 2 block wide and 6 block long sides, you will need to clear out room. All you have to do is break all blocks directly under them. 

At the back under these platforms, add sticky pistons. The sticky pistons will be 1 block away from the opening of your drawbridge in the center. You will have a total of 6 sticky pistons on each side and they will be facing inwards.

Step 4 Pillar

Create a 3 block tall and 2 block wide pillar. This pillar will be directly behind the hold in your rectangle.

Step 5 "L"

Head towards the front of your setup (opposite side from your lever). On both the left and right sides of the pillar you just created, you will need to make "L" (and a backwards L). These L's will be 1 block up and to the side of the pillar.

It will look something like this when you finish adding your "L"s in!

Step 6 Walls

Continue building out your "L" shapes so that under the front of the sticky pistons there are two walls.

Step 7 Block Layer

Add another layer of blocks under the bottom of the sticky pistons on both sides!

Step 8 "Y"

Directly below the block on the platform at the back of your drawbridge, make a "Y" shape. The top right of the "Y" will be below the top block, but 1 block down.

Here's a better view:

Step 9 Redstone Torches

Place redstone torches under every block that is below the sticky pistons. These torches will all power the sticky pistons.

Step 10 Repeaters

Place a repeater so that it is facing to the left of your layout. The repeater will be between the top of the "Y" shape at the back of your setup.

In front of the "Y," place 2 repeaters so that they are facing away from each other. Make sure that you leave 1 block of room in between the repeaters so we can still power them!

Step 11 More Repeaters!

If you're standing at the back of your drawbridge, look to your right. Place your repeaters on this side first. Using a total of 6 repeaters on each side, you will only be placing repeaters in front of five out of the total 6 blocks. The first block will get 2 repeaters instead of just 1 so we can have a delay of 5.

And now for timing... 

This image is for the right side (the first side).

This image is for the left side:

Step 12 Redstone

Using 2 redstone dust, attach the bottom of the "Y" with the 2 repeaters in front of it.

Attach all the repeaters on the right side with redstone dust. Make sure this trail of redstone is attached to the "Y" at the back!

Don't forget to power the last piston at the back because we don't have a repeater there!

And for the opposite side, do the same!

Step 13 Lever

Head to the block where your lever is about to go. Break the block that is directly below so that it reveals the top of the "Y" shape.

Place 1 redstone dust on the top of the "L" shape that you just exposed.

Lastly, place a lever on the top block!

Step 14 Cover Up

Cover up all of the sticky pistons with a building material of your choice. Depending on whether you want the floor to blend in with your surroundings or not, this step may be a bit more difficult for you.

Step 15 Finished Product

Your drawbridge should be completely functional and covered up! Test it out, and play with the delays if you don't like the design we made!

Step 16 Optional...

And of course the optional last step. You can add lava below your drawbridge to ensure that no one can get in without your permission!

Questions for the Audience:

• What kind of drawbridges have you made in the past?
• Did you enjoy and learn something from this tutorial?
• What kind of tutorials would you like to see in the future?

I would love to hear a few words from the audience, so please... don't be shy!

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