How the Automatic Tunnelbore Machine 2.0 Changes AFK Mining Forever
Redstone engineers have pushed Minecraft’s block-moving limits for years, but few creations match the sheer ambition of the Automatic Tunnelbore Machine 2.0. Designed for version 1.11, this fully automatic contraption digs an infinite tunnel while you step away from the keyboard. No mods, no command block trickery for the core mechanics — just pure vanilla redstone ingenuity. The machine slowly carves through stone, dirt, and ores by sticking mined blocks directly to its drill head, then retracts to a dedicated station where everything gets stripped, sorted, and stored. If you have ever worn out a diamond pickaxe on a massive excavation project, this build will feel like a revelation.
What Makes the ATBM 2.0 Unique
Unlike simpler tunnel bores that rely on TNT duping or flying machine sweepers, this machine physically collects every block it breaks. The drill head advances block by block, attaching mined materials to its front face. Once the drill reaches its forward limit, it reverses back to a stationary processing station. There, a pair of two-way flying machines delicately scrape the accumulated blocks off the drill, feeding them into a conveyor system that shuttles everything toward a specialized breaking chamber. That chamber uses command blocks and the /fill command to safely destroy the blocks, dropping items into a hopper array that filters and sorts them into labeled chests. The entire process runs without player intervention, turning raw terrain into organized loot.
Redstone purists will appreciate that the machine handles gravity-affected blocks like sand and gravel with ease — anvils are the sole exception because pistons cannot push them. The design is also “redstone block-proof,” meaning redstone blocks mined by the drill do not jam the mechanism through quasi-connectivity quirks. However, redstone blocks placed by outside forces in just the wrong spot can still cause hiccups, a reminder that even the most polished redstone builds dance with Minecraft’s update order oddities.
Inside the Sorting and Collection System
Once the drill returns and the flying machines peel off the blocks, a clever conveyor — built entirely from slime blocks, observers, and pistons — routes them to the command block room. Here, the /fill command instantly replaces the block column with air, simulating a perfectly safe block break. The resulting items fall into a water stream that feeds a hopper chain, leading to an item filter. The filter separates cobblestone, ores, gravel, and other common finds into individual chests. You will never again mix stacks of diorite with your precious iron.
Why use command blocks instead of a Wither cage? The creator openly admits a preference for safety. Withers are notoriously difficult to contain, and a single escape could obliterate hours of redstone work. Command blocks guarantee block breaking on any difficulty without risking explosive mishaps. This hybrid approach — vanilla redstone for motion and command blocks for controlled destruction — keeps the machine accessible while preserving the core vanilla feel.
Maintenance and Real-World Caveats
No machine this complex runs forever unattended. Lava and water pockets create unintended block updates that can misalign the drill or stall the flying machines. Obsidian is, of course, unmineable by pistons, so the bore will stop dead if it encounters a vein. The creator recommends periodic check-ins to clear fluid sources and manually remove any obsidian the drill cannot bypass. Despite these limitations, the ATBM 2.0 remains astonishingly reliable for a build of its scale, and the community has already begun tweaking it for newer versions.
While this machine relies solely on vanilla mechanics, players who enjoy modded automation might appreciate tools like the foxygame.net launcher, which lets you download and install mods directly from its menu for an even more streamlined experience. It’s a convenient way to explore everything from quarry mods to advanced redstone helpers without messing with manual file placement.
Credits and Fair Use Guidelines
The project owes its existence to extensive testing and collaboration. Special thanks go to samnrad and emeraldfyr3, whose contributions helped refine the flying machine sequences and the block removal timing. The build is released under Fair Use, with a clear copyright notice: any reuse must include proper credit to the original creator. Failure to do so is considered infringement, though the creator notes that if you simply forgot, providing credit later resolves the issue. Respecting the countless hours poured into this machine is a small price for tapping into its AFK mining power.
Why This Machine Matters for Technical Minecraft
The ATBM 2.0 represents a high-water mark for 1.11-era redstone engineering. It proves that complex, multi-stage automation is possible without a single mod, blending flying machines, block conveyors, and command block assistance into a cohesive system. For server players who need vast quantities of stone and ores for megabuilds, this bore turns a tedious grind into a background process. You set it up, flip the switch, and let the machine carve its endless corridor while you focus on designing, building, or just grabbing a snack.
If you are ready to retire your pickaxe and embrace true AFK excavation, the Automatic Tunnelbore Machine 2.0 delivers. Just remember to credit the mind behind it, keep an eye out for lava lakes, and enjoy the hypnotic rhythm of a drill that never tires.