User:Shadeykins
This guide is not intended to cover advanced construction. For a list of advanced machinery and their parts, see the Guide to Advanced Construction.
Guide to Construction
In order to fill many roles (such as Station Engineer), or to just snazz up your sweet maintenance bar, you're going to need to know how to build things!
This guide will cover all the basic tools and their uses (as well as special things they can do) along with a list of basic structures and how to build/deconstruct them.
First and foremost it's important to become familiar with all the tools involved in construction! Please consult the list below.
Construction Tools
A quick rundown of basic tools and their more advanced counterparts.
Basic Tool | Advanced Tool | Usage | Notes |
Crowbar | Jaws of Life | Prying things in/out of place |
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---|---|---|---|
Wirecutters | Jaws of Life | Snipping wires/grilles |
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Welding Tool | Experimental Welding Tool | Welding/slicing metal |
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Cable Coil | Cable Layer | Wiring systems together |
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Screwdriver | Power Drill | Securing/opening panels |
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Wrench | Power Drill | Ratcheting/unsecuring objects |
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Multitool | N/A | Modifying/specifying special parameters |
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Rapid Construction Device | Combat RCD | Rapid construction/deconstruction |
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Pipe Dispenser | Rapid Piping Device | Dispensing disposal/air pipes. |
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Wiring
Now that we've gone over the list of tools, it's important to understand how wiring in SS13 functions.
Outside of its use in repairing robotic limbs, mechs, and other things, cable coil is primarily used to route power to APCs and SMES arrays around the station.
- APCs are the power terminals located in each room that provide electricity to the Lighting, Equipment, and Environment systems for a designated area.
- APCs utilize a charging system and contain a single cell (a battery) that charges from the power grid that it's connected to.
- APCs which are not connected to the grid by wiring or APCs which receive insufficient levels of power will lose battery life.
- Wiring is used to connect APCs to the SMES arrays which gain charge from power sources (such as the engine) and distribute electricity.
As we can see making sure we're properly wiring things is integral to the function of equipment and the station in general. If things are wired inappropriately, the APC may not receive power and the area you're either creating or repairing will be left in the dark.
There are however a few important caveats before you start any wiring project.
- Wires connected to an active electrical grid will shock you and cause burn damage.
- Budget insulated gloves will either reduce or multiply damage from shocks.
- Insulated gloves will protect from electrical shocks entirely.
Basic Wiring
(Note: Regular tiles on the station will have floor tiles on top of them. You will need to use a crowbar to remove these tiles in order to place any wires down).
Wiring is fairly straightforward, though there's a few things to keep in mind when you're doing it.
- Wires can only ever be placed on plating or catwalk tiles.
- Wire placement is directional and will always orient toward your character.
- If you're placing a wire on a tile you're standing on, it will place according to the direction you're facing.
In order to place wires you will need to be facing a catwalk or exposed plating with some cable coil in your hand.
Once you're ready with cable coil in hand, simply click on an adjacent tile with the wire in your hand to place down the wiring.
Here's a quick table explaining the different results you'll get based on your character's position.
- Tile Direction refers to which direction the tile is from the player's current position.
- Tile Directions such as Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest indicate the tile is diagonal to the player.
Tile Direction | Wiring Result | Tile Direction | Wiring Result |
West | East | ||
---|---|---|---|
North | South | ||
Northeast | Northwest | ||
Southeast | Southwest |
Now that we understand how directional placement of wires functions, we can start wiring things together.
Before we do however there's two important features of wiring that need to be discussed!
In any wiring project there are "nodes" and "wires" which both serve special functions.
Wires are what actually transfer power while nodes allow special machinery (like SMES arrays, emitters, and shield generators) to hook up to the power grid.
Wiring Type | Explanation |
Smooth Wiring | |
---|---|
Smooth wiring allows power to flow from point A to point B.
This is the basic, efficient, and accepted wiring configuration. |
In order to produce smooth wiring, move to the opposite side of the tile and click on the little circle (or wiring node) on the ground.
IE: If the tile was to the West of you initially, move two tiles West so that it's now facing East from you (the wire should be pointing away from your character).
If you don't smoothly wire your cables (and leave those little ball-shaped nodes everywhere), you're unlikely to create connections between pieces of wiring.
If you don't smoothly wire your cables, your wiring system likely won't be transferring any electricity.
Wiring Type | Explanation |
Node Wiring | |
---|---|
Node wiring is used for special equipment and electrifying grilles.
Exposed nodes can cause electric shocks when touched. |
In order to produce a wire node, click on a tile already occupied by a smooth cable.
You should always do your standard smooth wiring before creating any nodes to make sure your cables are properly connected.
If you're trying to make a node in the middle of a section of wire, it must be smoothly wired first.
Station Piping
For station piping, see: Guide to Atmospherics
Base Materials
A list of base materials used in construction.
Object | Materials | Construction | Deconstruction |
Metal Sheet |
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Glass Sheet |
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Wood Plank |
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Metal Rods (2) |
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Reinforced Glass |
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Plasma Glass |
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Reinforced Plasma Glass |
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Plasteel |
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Plastitanium |
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Plastitanium Glass |
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Titanium Glass |
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Plastic |
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Metal Constructions
A list of constructions that only involve the use of metal sheets.
Object | Materials | Construction | Deconstruction |
Lattice |
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---|---|---|---|
Catwalk |
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Plating |
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Reinforced Floor |
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Grille |
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Wall |
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False Wall |
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Floor Tiles (4) |
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Stool/Chair |
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Sofa |
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Wheelchair |
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Bed |
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Psychiatrist's Bed |
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Office Chair |
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Comfy Chair |
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Barber's Chair |
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Rack |
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Closet |
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Canister |
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Light Switch |
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Mass Driver Button |
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Mixed Constructions
A list of constructions that involve the use of metal sheets as a starting component.
Object | Materials | Construction | Deconstruction |
Light Tile |
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---|---|---|---|
Table |
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Reinforced Table |
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Fancy/Glass Table |
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Computer Console |
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Modular Console |
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Machine |
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Display Case |
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Automated Turret |
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Firelock |
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Airlock |
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Meatspike |
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Light Fixture |
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APC |
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Air Alarm |
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Fire Alarm |
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Intercom |
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Extinguisher Cabinet |
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Grenade |
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Glass Constructions
A list of constructions that only involve the use of glass or reinforced glass sheets.
Object | Materials | Construction | Deconstruction |
Fishbowl |
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---|---|---|---|
Fish Tank |
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Wall Aquarium |
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Directional Window |
OR
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OR
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Fulltile Window |
OR
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Directional Window (Reinforced) |
OR
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OR
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Fulltile Window (Reinforced) |
OR
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Mixed Constructions
A list of constructions that involve the use of glass or reinforced glass sheets as a starting component.
Object | Materials | Construction | Deconstruction |
Windoor |
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Plasteel/Other Constructions
A list of constructions that only involve the use of special materials such as plasteel.
Object | Materials | Construction | Deconstruction |
Surgery Table |
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---|---|---|---|
Metal Crate |
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Titanium Window |
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Plastitanium Window |
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Plastitanium Wall |
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Plastitanium Tiles (4) |
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Mixed Constructions
A list of constructions that involve the use of special materials as a starting component.
Object | Materials | Construction | Deconstruction |
Heat-Proof Wall |
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---|---|---|---|
AI Core |
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Bomb Assembly |
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Mass Driver |
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Reinforced Airlock |
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Wood Constructions
A list of constructions that involve the use of wood planks as a starting component.
Object | Materials | Construction | Deconstruction |
Wood Floor Tiles (4) |
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|
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---|---|---|---|
Wood Table |
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OR
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OR
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Wooden Chair |
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Wooden Barricade |
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Bookcase |
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Dresser |
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Drying Rack |
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Dog Bed |
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Wooden Door |
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Coffin |
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Apiary |
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Honey Frame |
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Fermenting Barrel |
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Plastic/Misc. Constructions
A list of constructions that involve the use of plastic and other materials as a starting component.
Object | Materials | Construction | Deconstruction |
Plastic Flaps |
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---|---|---|---|
Wet Floor Sign |
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Plastic Crate |
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Plastic Ashtray |
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Plastic Utensils |
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Water Bottle |
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Cardboard Cutout |
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Cardboard Box |
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