Using Nether Brick Wall for Compact Redstone Elevators
Elevators are a staple in ambitious builds whether you are mining deep in a cave or building a floating base in the overworld. The Nether Brick Wall offers a sturdy boundary that fits a nether themed design while keeping the redstone guts out of sight. In this guide we explore practical mechanics and design ideas for turning this block into a compact vertical transport solution.
Why this block matters for elevators
The Nether Brick Wall is a solid blocking member with a hardness of 2.0 and a resistance of 6.0. It does not emit light and it is not transparent, so it is perfect for concealing wiring and pistons inside a shaft. A useful feature is the set of states that control how the block appears on each side. This lets you tailor the look of the shaft to your build without sacrificing interior space. The wall can also be waterlogged, which opens up interesting options for water based elevator tricks. In addition to vertical control you can orient the wall by adjusting its east north south and west states to keep the exterior consistent with your base’s geometry. 🧱
States you can control and how they help
- east north south west states with values none low tall to shape the visible edge
- up boolean to influence the connection with vertical mechanisms
- waterlogged boolean to enable or disable water inside the shaft
Knowing these knobs allows you to build a clean shaft that looks the same from every floor while hiding the elevator hardware. The absence of light emission means you can use nearby lava or glowstone without worrying about extra lighting on the core mechanism. The result is a compact, durable, and visually cohesive setup that feels polished even in small spaces. 🌲
Two compact design ideas you can try
Idea one keeps the shaft to a single block width and uses a slime block or honey block platform activated by a precise piston sequence. The Nether Brick Wall forms the outer boundary while pistons extend and retract the platform inside a concealed chamber. The wall states help you align the interior and exterior for a seamless look. This approach is great for bases tucked into cliffs or ships in the sky where width matters. 🧱
Idea two makes use of a two column approach where two narrow shafts ride side by side. The Nether Brick Wall boundary helps you maintain equal spacing and hides the redstone rails between the two columns. By using observers or targeted quasi timers the system can deliver smooth stepping with minimal jitter. The wall remains the visual anchor so changes stay easy to implement as you iterate on the mechanism. 💎
Practical redstone tips for a reliable compact elevator
Plan your elevator around a small, repeatable pulse rather than a long chain of commands. A single piston group can lift a platform while a separate group returns it. Place the wall so its seams align with piston heads and the platform edges to reduce gaps. If you want to run wiring along the shaft edge, the wall is a natural place to hide dust lines and repeaters behind a solid facade. This keeps the exterior neat while the interior remains accessible for maintenance. ⚙️
Consider using a vanilla piston design rather than heavy modded components. A vertical stack of sticky pistons with a slime block platform is a classic approach that pairs well with the Nether Brick Wall. If you need a multi stop elevator, branch the system with a simple comparator based detection to select which level the platform should head to next. This keeps the wiring compact and reliable in survival worlds. 🧱
Keep it sturdy and upgrade friendly
A major benefit of the Nether Brick Wall is its compatibility with modern updates that emphasize modular building. You can build the shaft in stages, swap outer panels for different textures, or re orient the wall states to fit new room shapes without reworking the core elevator. When you want to expand height, simply add more segments outward from the same core line. The wall provides a consistent frame that makes expansion painless. 🌲
Remember to test the elevator in a safe area before placing a village or a farm inside the shaft. Small misalignment causes the platform to catch on the walls, which can cause delays or jams. A little planning with block placement and redstone timing goes a long way toward a butter smooth ride. If you enjoy sharing your builds, the nether brick wall makes a striking background for screenshots and video tours of your compact elevator projects. 💎
For creators who like a hands on approach, you can prototype quick variations in creative mode and then port your favorite setup to survival. The wall keeps a tidy aesthetic while you refine timing and transport height. It is a simple, effective base block that unlocks a world of compact engineering possibilities. 🧱
Embrace experimentation and you may find that the Nether Brick Wall becomes a go to element in your redstone toolkit. Even small updates to the surrounding blocks can alter the appearance or the feel of the entire shaft, so keep a notebook of what works and what feels off. The community loves to remix these designs, and you may pick up ideas from fellow builders who pair classic piston mechanics with fresh textures and layouts. ⚡
For ongoing inspiration and community projects, consider contributing to open projects that celebrate the open Minecraft community. This shared space is where practical ideas turn into clever designs and where players learn from one another. 🧡
Support Our Minecraft Projects