Minecraft - Tutorial: Quick & Easy Item Sorter (With Overflow Protection)

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I'll show you how to build this super simple item sorter that also has built in overflow protection. This design is 100% tileable and very resource friendly.

World Download:

Texture Pack: FAITHFUL 32X32 PACK (slightly modified by me)

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[abdurehmanmalik]

The fact that this design hasn't broken in over 6 years is incredible.

[amirahassan]

The fact that this design hasn’t broken in over 8 years is incredible

[Rodorenn]

Still coming back to this design in 2020 - this design is a classic!

[MrCorpsey]

The fact that this design hasn't broken in over 9 years is incredible.
Thanks impulse!

[matthewjones]

Me watching Hermitcraft S8: "I need an item sorter, I know just where to go"

[BeezKneez]

Bro I've been coming back to this tutorial for 8 YEARS now. You'd think I'd have memorized it by now

[Jimba]

The fact that this design hasn't broken in over 8 years and 7 days is incredible

[tetsujin_]

Sometimes I forget that some of these familiar faces from Hermitcraft also made substantial contributions to redstone technology and the technical game...

[samhicks]

4 years later and confirmed still working in 1.13. *cheers pulse!*

[blueametrine]

Confirming, April 2024 update 1.20.4, this design still works. It has been my go to item sorter for years now. Thanks Impulse!

[MarkiSparki]

it's quite obvious. but simply to inform: works perfectly in 1.15 !

[nick_urquhart]

Confirmed working in 1.14, still working perfectly. Thanks Impulse!

[arthurmalavasic]

It's 2022 and I just rewatched because I haven't built this in a while and didn't feel like loading old worlds to remind myself. The longevity of this build is insane.

[sydneylenati]

My husband (who can not be left to his own devices in our storage room) suggested I check your auto sort tutorial for our server. Thank you, Impulse! I've been amazed by your tutorials over the years, and this one is no different. Keep up the awesome work, man.

[CZghost]

Okay, this is very useful :) Thanks :D

Ogh, just an update: With Minecraft 1.13+, you do not need to alternate trapped chests and regular chests, they are now allowed to be placed next each other, which makes it super convenient :)

[TheRiekman]

Great sorting system! I do think it's important to note that the named "dummy" items you put into the hoppers should be stackable to 64 items. I.e. you can't use named eggs, signs, tools, etc. Otherwise you will have the redstone signal possibly overflow again.

[sticklegacy]

FOR ANYONE WHO DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE MECHANICS OF THIS BUILD AND WHY IT WORKS, I will attempt to simplify this:

Comparators put out a redstone signal charge at a level proportional to how full the hopper is.
This means if the hopper is full, the comparator attached to it in this fashion puts out a charge of 15(full charge) (it can travel across 15 blocks before the signal stops)
If the hopper is empty, the comparator attached to it puts out a charge of 0 (no charge) .
If the hopper is about half full, it will put out a charge of 7 or 8 (half charge).

Now let's take a ratio of how full the hoppers are when filled up as he filled them (1 full stack of the item desired, 1 stone in each other slot)
64 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 68
maximum hopper capacity is 64 x 5 = 320
68/320 = .2125

Now to find how much redstone signal this will send out, we take the ratio and multiply it by the total signal strength possible:
.2125 x 15 = 3.1875

This means that the signal can reach up to 3 blocks away.

If you notice after he puts the items in the hopper, they all go down to 41 before they stop.
The reason for this is understandable if we do the same process above to calculate the signal strength ratio provided at 41 items.

41 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 45



45/360 = .140625
.140625 x 15 = 2.109375

This means the signal can reach up to 2 blocks away.

If you go back to watch how he designs the first section, he connects a repeater to a block with a redstone torch.
This means if the repeater starts to receive a signal, the redstone torch will be turned off.
While the redstone torch is on, the hopper it is next to becomes LOCKED.
A locked hopper cannot drop or receive items.
The connection to the receiver is 3 blocks away from the comparator.

So logically, when the comparator starts putting out a signal strength of 3 or more (more items inside it), the repeater goes on, the redstone torch goes off, and the hoppers become unlocked. (the flow of items downwards to the chests continues)

And once the top hopper goes down to a signal strength of 2, the repeater goes off, the redstone torch goes on, and the hoppers become locked again, keeping your items from dropping through.

This is why also just having 11 of each item in the other 4 slots and 1 of the item you want sorted into your hopper works as well, because it will go down to 45 total before switching off.

Hopefully this clarifies things for those confused instead of making it more confusing.
Happy crafting :)

[lcc]

I've been looking for sorting systems for at least a week. This is exactly what I've been looking for. No stupid water flows. No stupid redstone. Just simple mechanics that work every time. Thanks!

[LillianWinterAnimations]

Impulse: Well I bet you're thinking "You're not showing me anything new!"
Me (hasn't played since 1.4): My mind is currently blown

[michaelbrocaglia]

One day I'll be able to build this amazing contraption without referencing this tutorial... Today is not that day!