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How to Create an Automatic Obsidian Generator in Minecraft

Jan 6, 2012 05:53 PM

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Mining obsidian is not only time consuming, but dangerous. Looking for caves with obsidian and risking death by creeper, zombie, or lava just isn't worth it sometimes. Luckily, obsidian can be farmed, just like cobblestone! You'll no longer need to put your life on the line for this most-indestructible of building materials. 

Create a Controlled Water Flow

Excavation pit with stone base surrounded by dirt.

Since obsidian can only be made by lava contacting flowing water, you'll need to make a contained flow. Dig a hole three blocks wide and surround it with non-flammable blocks.

Waterfall in a stone and gravel landscape.

Place water so that it flows into the hole and nowhere else.

Water pool surrounded by dirt blocks in a game environment.

Place blocks on the opposite side of the water flow so that they enclose a three block wide trench just touching the flowing water.

Excavation pit with stone base surrounded by dirt.

Since obsidian can only be made by lava contacting flowing water, you'll need to make a contained flow. Dig a hole three blocks wide and surround it with non-flammable blocks.

Waterfall in a stone and gravel landscape.

Place water so that it flows into the hole and nowhere else.

Water pool surrounded by dirt blocks in a game environment.

Place blocks on the opposite side of the water flow so that they enclose a three block wide trench just touching the flowing water.

Place Pistons to Control Lava Flow

Redstone contraption in a Minecraft environment with water and stone components.

On the opposite side of the water trench, place three pistons facing inwards.

Redstone contraption in a Minecraft setting, featuring a water source and various components.

Place redstone repeaters behind them and connect them in a redstone chain.

Minecraft dirt blocks with a button on a stone floor.

Run that redstone chain to a block with a stone button on the other side.

Blocky terrain with a gray stone block, wooden fence, and redstone torch in a pixelated environment.

Place a fourth piston at the end of the trench facing in. Activate it by placing a redstone torch behind it. This piston must be positioned so that when it is extended, there is a block of extra space in front of it.

A Minecraft redstone circuit with a dirt structure.

Run redstone from the torch behind the piston you just placed to the front of the machine.

Minecraft redstone mechanism connected to a dirt block.

Connect this redstone wiring to a lever.

Redstone contraption in a Minecraft environment with water and stone components.

On the opposite side of the water trench, place three pistons facing inwards.

Redstone contraption in a Minecraft setting, featuring a water source and various components.

Place redstone repeaters behind them and connect them in a redstone chain.

Minecraft dirt blocks with a button on a stone floor.

Run that redstone chain to a block with a stone button on the other side.

Blocky terrain with a gray stone block, wooden fence, and redstone torch in a pixelated environment.

Place a fourth piston at the end of the trench facing in. Activate it by placing a redstone torch behind it. This piston must be positioned so that when it is extended, there is a block of extra space in front of it.

A Minecraft redstone circuit with a dirt structure.

Run redstone from the torch behind the piston you just placed to the front of the machine.

Minecraft redstone mechanism connected to a dirt block.

Connect this redstone wiring to a lever.

Place Lava

Redstone contraption in a Minecraft landscape.

Enclose an empty space above the piston at the end of the trench so that lava will fit safely on top of the piston.

Lava block surrounded by dirt in a Minecraft-like landscape.

Place lava in the hole.

Redstone circuit in Minecraft with dirt blocks and a water source.

Fill the trench with redstone as seen above.

Redstone contraption in a Minecraft landscape.

Enclose an empty space above the piston at the end of the trench so that lava will fit safely on top of the piston.

Lava block surrounded by dirt in a Minecraft-like landscape.

Place lava in the hole.

Redstone circuit in Minecraft with dirt blocks and a water source.

Fill the trench with redstone as seen above.

Generate Obsidian 

A Minecraft redstone circuit with water and lava.

To activate the machine, first press the lever so that the piston deactivates and lava flows out.

Minecraft redstone contraption with water and lava features.

As the lava flows, it will remain above the redstone.

Minecraft redstone contraption with lava and water features.

In an instant it will create an obsidian block below itself.

Lava flowing on a block in a Minecraft-like environment.

This flow will continue until it reaches the third block in your trench, keeping you safe.

Lever and redstone circuitry in a block game environment.

This next step is very important. When the lava flow has stopped FIRST press the lever so as to stop the lava from continuing to flow. If you do not deactivate the lever, lava will begin to flow after you have removed your obsidian.

A close-up view of a Minecraft redstone mechanism with dirt, obsidian, and a piston.

After you have hit the lever, press the stone button and the pistons will clear the obsidian of lava. Mine your obsidian, remembering to place redstone in the trench again. You can now repeat this process over and over again creating as much obsidian as you please!

A Minecraft redstone circuit with water and lava.

To activate the machine, first press the lever so that the piston deactivates and lava flows out.

Minecraft redstone contraption with water and lava features.

As the lava flows, it will remain above the redstone.

Minecraft redstone contraption with lava and water features.

In an instant it will create an obsidian block below itself.

Lava flowing on a block in a Minecraft-like environment.

This flow will continue until it reaches the third block in your trench, keeping you safe.

Lever and redstone circuitry in a block game environment.

This next step is very important. When the lava flow has stopped FIRST press the lever so as to stop the lava from continuing to flow. If you do not deactivate the lever, lava will begin to flow after you have removed your obsidian.

A close-up view of a Minecraft redstone mechanism with dirt, obsidian, and a piston.

After you have hit the lever, press the stone button and the pistons will clear the obsidian of lava. Mine your obsidian, remembering to place redstone in the trench again. You can now repeat this process over and over again creating as much obsidian as you please!

You'll be doing no more spelunking with spiders and undead monsters now that your automatic obsidian generator is complete.

If you enjoyed this article and would like to suggest topics for future How-To's or Minecraft World Workshops, let us know in the comments section below.

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