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How to Build a Hidden Drawbridge with Redstone in Minecraft

Apr 12, 2012 03:20 PM

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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!

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.

Diagram of dimensions for a construction project, with labeled block measurements.
A gray concrete structure with a V-shaped design against a blue sky.
Diagram of dimensions for a construction project, with labeled block measurements.
A gray concrete structure with a V-shaped design against a blue sky.

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.

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.

Guide on where to place a block in a grid layout.
How to Build a Hidden Drawbridge with Redstone in Minecraft
Guide on where to place a block in a grid layout.
How to Build a Hidden Drawbridge with Redstone in Minecraft

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.

Instructions for building a redstone machine in a block game.

Pillar

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

Add a 3x1 pillar at the back of your craterface.

"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!

A blocky 3D model of an airplane made with gray cubes.

Walls

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

Minecraft building tutorial showcasing a structure with sticky pistons and a wall.
Minecraft building design featuring a structure with a horizontal platform and vertical components.
How to Build a Hidden Drawbridge with Redstone in Minecraft
Minecraft building tutorial showcasing a structure with sticky pistons and a wall.
Minecraft building design featuring a structure with a horizontal platform and vertical components.
How to Build a Hidden Drawbridge with Redstone in Minecraft

Block Layer

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

Instruction for adding a layer of blocks in a construction tutorial.

"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.

Minecraft building instructions for a block placement guide.

Here's a better view:

3D model of a building structure with geometric shapes.

Redstone Torches

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

Redstone torch placement for sticky pistons in a Minecraft build.
A row of lit redstone torches on a stone structure in a Minecraft environment.
Redstone torch placement for sticky pistons in a Minecraft build.
A row of lit redstone torches on a stone structure in a Minecraft environment.

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.

Redstone circuit setup in Minecraft with a directional repeater.

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!

Redstone setup guide in Minecraft with repeaters and instructions.

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.

Redstone circuit setup in Minecraft with torches and repeaters.

And now for timing... 

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

Minecraft redstone circuit with delayed activators.

This image is for the left side:

Redstone circuit with various delay settings in a Minecraft build.

Redstone

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

Redstone circuit with two redstone dust and two comparators in a Minecraft setting.

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!

Redstone circuitry setup in Minecraft with attached redstone dust and repeaters.

And for the opposite side, do the same!

Minecraft redstone circuit with repeaters and torches.

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.

Behind a block on a platform in Minecraft, instructions to break the block below to reveal the top of a "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!

Redstone circuitry setup in a Minecraft build.

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.

Redstone mechanism in Minecraft showcasing piston arrangement.

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!

A minimalist architectural model with a pool and pedestal.

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!

Minecraft redstone contraption featuring a lava trapdoor mechanism.

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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