How To: Make a Resource Friendly Floating Block Trap in Minecraft

I saw Maro post about a trap on YouTube today, so I thought I'd post one here that I just invented. Since we are friendly at WonderHowTo, the TNT has been replaced with a note block.

Step 1: Bait

Start with the "bait-block", place a redstone dust on top of it.

Step 2: Ceiling

Cause we need something to build on...

Step 3: Power

This will power the TNT. The torch can be replaced with a lever if you are short on redstone dust.

Step 4: Piston

Place a regular piston (not a sticky one) like this.

Step 5: Make a BUD

Now we will turn the piston into a single-use BUD switch. Put blocks like this, any solid block will do, I'm just using wool to make it easier to see.

Remove the red wool. The piston will get an update, see that it has power from the green wool and extend.

Step 6: Arm the Trap

Place gravel (or sand) on the extended part of the piston.

And the "TNT" like this...

The piston still see the power from the green wool so it won't retract.

Step 7: Clean Up

Remove the green wool block...

...before you remove the rest (this is kind of important).

Step 8: Done

If the gold block is destroyed, the redstone dust on top of it will also be destroyed and, in turn, cause a block update to the block below the piston. The piston will react to the update, see that is no longer powered and retract. The gravel will fall down, let power go to the restone dust on the other side...by the TNT... Fssssss.... BOOM. :D

Of course, you can have more than a single TNT block, but it takes some practice before you know where you can place them. :)

"Yay! A free floating gold block! What harm could it possibly do to grab it?"