Space Engineers Beginners Guide #2: Building a Basic Miner - Expand the Base

In this Episode of the Beginner's Guide Series, we'll be covering how to build your first Basic Miner and Expand your Base.
If you're new to Space Engineers, or just want to start playing the game in a more comfortable way, this guide is for you! In this Episode we cover Basic Miner Design and how to set it up. Plus, he'll provide tips and guide on the best way to start playing the game so you can find your way around quickly!
Space Engineers Xbox - Controls Tutorial: • Space Engineers: Xbox ...
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#Beeblebum

[@mobspeak]

I swear you need a university degree to play this game.

[@Lastofus_Gaming]

Yeah and if you're a console player grab ya a usb mouse, keyboard, and make it easier on yourself lol

[@marinecor23]

This game may have a pretty daunting learning curve to start out, but once you get the hang of it you'll have a game that has lasted us, and will last you years and years of enjoyment

[@james_crook]

Yup, I’m on Xbox and the learning curve took me like six hours just to figure all the basic out. I haven’t even gotten into the more advanced stuff yet but this game definitely has potential. They need to re configure a few controls tho and give a better tutorial.

[@SonnyBoJim]

Highschool drop out here loving this game

[@neowolf09]

@@Lastofus_Gaming personally I'm on PC playing with a controller 😆

[@Dagonius.]

You're doing a great job explaining this stuff. I watched vids for over a year before I bought my first computer, just to play this game. Currently I have 2500h in SE and I'm still playing my first survival world. Tool bar: You did mention wanting to change the order of commands and I always follow the same path: 1. "BATTERIES" Recharge ON/OFF 2. "THRUSTERS" ON/OFF 3. Connector SWITCHLOCK This way when I want to depart I press 1,2,3. When I want to dock I press 3,2,1. Easy. No mistakes. I usually have "LIGHTS" on 4 and the reverse thrusters on 5, grouped as "BREAKS". Ideal for coasting as it saves a lot of fuel and is much more chill to fly longer distances. P.S.: Pressing "P" can be dangerous. One has to know exactly when "P" is ok. Might want to address this in your next video. Also: The Drop pod has its own GPS which can cause the pod to despawn if you die and drop in a new one. Since you ground down the larger portion of your pod, this isn't a problem. The GPS can be gotten rid of by merge-block-ing the pod to another grid... That's enough for now. Take care fellow Space Engineers! May Clang stay far from your ways😊

[@darkehartplays]

Another tip for locating ore on the planets made by Keen is that they're in an approximate grid pattern along the cardinal directions, much like the points of interest in No Man's Sky. If you find two deposits, even without a compass or the sun, you then know roughly where the rest of the deposits around your base will be.

[@royalgreed4499]

Can you explain this for stupid people like myself

[@roundnround952]

A helpful tip, you can conserve the metal grids needed for the first base/large ship cargo container by trading it out for a large ship welder/grinder (if you have the space). It is slightly less storage compared to the cargo container and has fewer conveyor access ports but for a first-time container, it is awesome!

[@anti-rioter-15]

It took me a break. But it eventually clicked on how the ui works on console. Now I’m onto part 2. Ty for the great guides.

[@Beeblebum]

Hey Anti, I know it can be very daunting, but once I got passed that initial curve, there is soo much freedom for creativity - And then later you can spice up the gameplay with Workshop mods and Scenarios! Thanks for checking the vids out! 👍

[@anti-rioter-15]

@@Beeblebum it’s pretty amazing though. When I realized you were building a “space car jack” to lift the drop pod up, I got a huge smile on my face. How cool this was once I saw where it was headed.

[@frozack8mgs62]

I bought this game for ps5 a couple of months ago you were right 8i couldent get past the first few hours but now im watching your videos this game looks really fun thank you for the great video i just downloaded the game and got all of the addons im goining to finish watching your videos and go play the game thank you very much for the great videos

[@JérémyAdrian-l3b]

@@frozack8mgs62 PS5 is really lacking on the keybinds, but it's possible

[@cloverdog85]

That's an awesome idea with the piston. I was thinking that would be a great way to extend your landing gear.

[@Beeblebum]

It is, but be careful that you don't retract the landing gear while landed.. hehe

[@SirVisigoth]

Another well explained episode, love the piston trick.

[@raiderthetavernkeeper]

OOOOOO. The games taking off so this will be needed!

[@akukuat101]

Your the best!i admit i still looking every newest available tutorial in survival.always learn new thing and trick. Sub!

[@Beeblebum]

Hey, Thanks for the sub - appreciate it! 😊

[@chineolee]

This and part 1 got me off to a flying start - many thanks!

[@Beeblebum]

Great to hear that! This Series has only 4 parts, and should allow you to travel to space. Hope it helps you all the way! 👍😊

[@UnstableEquilibrium]

Those dark patches indicating ore deposits is going to be insanely helpful. Especially since, the dummy that I am, I used the metal grids from my pod's thrusters to build a small cargo container.

[@professortrog7742]

You could grind it down again…

[@BattlewarPenguin]

This game is amazing, it's awesome the stuff you make and it really helps me to progress into the game further! Thank you for the awesome content!

[@Beeblebum]

Thank you, appreciate that! 😊

[@jeffreybomba]

Miners in gravity should be designed vertically, because you NEED downward thrust to support the weight, and tilting forward only increases the forward thrust needed. I have made a small scout “bike” using the battery, and 5 atmo thrusters that can be made from the drop pod to scout for ore, and collect a little cobalt. From there, you can build a slightly elevated connector, reconfigure the bike slightly with a connector, connect it to the base, and using the original battery, build a single drill, vertical miner, that can get a med container worth of cobalt, At that point you can build a 4 drill, atmo, vertical miner in a 9x9 design that can plunge mine, which is very efficient as far as time and resources.

[@jasonk795]

Group all except reverse thrusters. Then group reverse thrusters. Use reverse thrusters like brakes. Flies forward without having to hold trusters forward. Flies like a helicopter. Saves a lot of fuel.

[@JimmyDeLock]

Thanks for the video! Really helped me out!

[@MrLittlepe]

Great tutorial - thanks. One bit of advice for newbies like me - if you use the piston method - make sure when you initially land that you are on fairly level ground, or making the piston work is difficult. I had to F5 several times - sometimes i would be at an angle on a slope, sometimes even upside down.

[@NonLethalDog]

Thanks a lot!

[@somethingoranother807]

Thank you! I felt kinda dumb trying to figure this stuff out on my own! :)

[@Beeblebum]

Oh Believe me... I had to watch a lot of videos to understand this game too! It is not so simple.

[@somethingoranother807]

@@Beeblebum thank you so much for making this!

[@MarkMcDaniel]

You didn't need to use small conveyors to convert one port to two ports configuration. There is a conveyor converter module that handles that conversion perfectly.

[@savageslattz5705]

Quick tip for anybody that try this like i did, Build a beacon before you try to find down the antenna/arieal on top of the drop pod. Should you not keep the survival kit and associated blocks in the ship for life support? 3:26

[@Beeblebum]

Leaving your only survival kit on your ship is risky, especially as it is your respawn point when dying. If you die because your ship crashed.. then most likely so did your survival kit.

[@savageslattz5705]

@Beeblebum yeah I found that out the hard way thrusters are super fragile lol, also figured out the can actually damage blocks and that

[@savageslattz5705]

Also don't know why b7t I can't put a magnetic plate on the piston

[@Wozzmatic]

This guide has been great going step by step and has helped me get into SE after owning the game and never progressing far for years. However, I have hit a problem - I have literally followed every step to the letter and I am now at the point I need to add Atmospheric thrusters. I added the forward and reverse thrusters no problem but when i come to make the lateral thrusters x2 I cannot make the metal grid needed and have no cobalt. everything has now come to a complete stop

[@Beeblebum]

Did you grind down every thruster (4 Atmo + 1 Hydrogen Thruster) from the Drop Pod? If you did, you should have received 8 Metal Grids in total. Also... If you build a Large Grid Small Cargo container - you will use 4 Metal Grids for it. I do show how to find Cobalt and other deposits in this guide... So, you either will have to manually go find and mine Cobalt... Or find where some of the metal grids went to... Either built or maybe a block you did not grind down yet.

[@Wozzmatic]

@@Beeblebum Well it turns out it was me. I had dropped a storage container on my base before making the thrusters so thats where the grids went to. I ground that down and now have a working ship. Carried on watching your guide and have spent all night looking for cobalt. Found plenty of ice and two iron veins but no cobalt yet. Its frustrating as the next few things I want to make will need cobalt sadly! I guess I have a hunt on my hands. Also the terrain where I dropped is very hard to spot the dark patches also so that is making it a little tougher. I ended up just flying the ship round and using the detector on that instead! Thanks for the reply - sorry for wasting your time with a problem i should have figured out sooner!

[@Beeblebum]

@@Wozzmatic No problem - Glad you got it sorted. And yes, some Biomes make it harder to find the patches. Sometimes the patches show better depending on the time of day and where the sun is.

[@Wozzmatic]

I did follow your suggestion and only looked in the day but it was strill too difficult to spot ... or it wasn't there. I saw on another guide that turning down the grass density and draw distance makes it easier? I might try that today. I should say I find your guides really useful. They are a great balance between empowering the viewer with the tools to progress and then not repetitously spoonfeeding every step going forward. Works really well for me and I already feel like I can move forwward under my own steam with the tips provided. Thanks!@@Beeblebum

[@MnkeyBy]

my piston didnt attach to the ground. I dont know what to do. edit: the extend maximum distance also doesnt extend the piston at all for me

[@Beeblebum]

Extending the maximum distance only will extend the piston when it is set to extend.. Make sure the velocity is set to positive and not negative ( - is retract). Concerning the piston not attaching, did you build a mag-plate against it?

[@mathiasvillan]

Congratulations very nice tutorial, thanks.

[@SwordPlay1]

Great video. Subbed

[@AlvinBrinson]

Really wish you had shown how to get the items OUT of the ship without having to ferry them by hand.

[@scorpion7032]

you are the best!!!!!

[@YYZ342]

I do not seem to have the cockpit like the one in the video. Mine has no port to attach the drill. Landing gear is already unlocked, and is already installed.

[@Beeblebum]

That should be the standard cockpit, so you should have it for sure. Hmmm.. Now I am gonna have to check if they changed the progression.

[@zolidcan1489]

Need part 3 dude

[@Beeblebum]

Yeah, Been busy with other things.. haha. Part 3 will be coming.

[@blazergaming2756]

Its a great guide, but the only problem i had with it was that the ship exploded or something while i was gone if you guys know what happend pls tell me

[@Beeblebum]

There are a few reasons it could have happened.. Battery ran out? Ship was not connected to the connector when the battery ran out? Do you have meteors enabled?

[@blazergaming2756]

I dont think I have meteors enable but thanks ill be more careful of these things next time

[@wirrwarr8834]

Hmm yes. Super exciting progression system... Thanks for the video. Saved me 5 euros. ;)

[@shadowryth7308]

Why is this game so hard. It’s a lot of fun tho

[@lazarusjdeth562]

How'd you build all those thrusters? Says I need cobalt

[@Beeblebum]

Which I collected in episode 1 of this series. 😉

[@danielrandall3566]

I watched the first vid 4 times I don't see anywhere where you got the Cobalt and turned it to the large steel tubes needed for 02/H2 generator. Maybe I'm just too simple and don't get it. Sorry for the complaint just stuck and super frustrated. I did figure it out. I over looked a couple things while I was having a temper tantrum

[@gregoriancatmonk6904]

So just speculation here but can you have a timer turn on survival kits? If so you have two survival kits active, one on the planet at your base and one in space on a ship or moon base....then you switch off the one on the planet (that will turn back on in five minutes or so) and kill yourself get spawned at your moon base or ship and then do the reverse to spawn back at your planet base after five minutes is up?

[@Beeblebum]

I can not recall exactly anymore - But I think you can set up your game that every time you die, you get a choice to what spawn you start. There you can pick your survival kit or medical room. I need to check it myself again, but I am pretty sure that is possible. The Timer is not a bad idea as well, in case it does not work. hehe

[@ZidaneFilip]

how to get iron ingot please help

[@SG-zm6gk]

For some reason I can’t connect my ship to the connector it connects for a sec and then just disconnects I am on ps5 maybe I am doing something wrong Idk

[@Beeblebum]

Could it be you are low on power? Sometimes when having your assembler and refinery working full blast, then the power of the wind turbines might be too low to maintain the connection? I wish I could do some PS5 Testing, but Alas not owning one.

[@SG-zm6gk]

I actually found the issue of this happens to you verify even if it says that the auto unlock is at zero to put at zero yourself mine said it was at never turned out it was at 0,001

[@SG-zm6gk]

@@Beeblebum I found out what it was, it was pretty dumb I ain’t gonna lie.

[@darkehartplays]

@@Beeblebum Connectors work without power as of a couple patches ago, as long as they're built to the functional line.

[@marinecor23]

It is possible to do manual entry on console, i cannot for the life of me remember how though.

[@wardy940]

Are you still continuing with the series? Its been super helpful.

[@Beeblebum]

Part 3 is still planned - Just been focusing on other things first. 👍

[@wardy940]

@Beeblebum great, thanks. Don't leave me hanging haha. Been a good series so far

[@Caliphar1]

I can't get the cockpit to attach to the connectors tubes off the cargo block. The back of the cockpit turns into a large connection port not the 2 small ones it initially shows :( This is a very frustrating game :(

[@Beeblebum]

I am not sure what the circumstance is this happens, but most likely you are trying to build a Small Grid Cockpit to a Large grid block.

[@Caliphar1]

@@Beeblebum I finally figured it out...I must have accidentally hit the T key and so I think it was trying to connect to the large port on the top of the cargo block and not the small curved connector I put on the small port. One I toggled T off, the cockpit ports remained the 2 small ports and I got it to go with no issue. Wow that was a lot lol. Thanks for the vids Beebs :)

[@CanadianWookie1972]

Where do you get Large steel tube? to finish H20 machine

[@Beeblebum]

I can not recall where all the materials came from, but if you are missing a steel tube, you can craft it on the basic assembler.

[@CanadianWookie1972]

@@Beeblebum ok thank you

[@nboothful]

How did you enable the dig function on your ship drill? I didn’t know I could do that. I keep collecting tons of unnecessary stone and ejecting it.

[@Beeblebum]

17:04 - When I configure the Miner Toolbar

[@Debbiebabe69]

remember to put the drill in your toolbar as a TOOL rather than a BLOCK. As a block you can turn on/off but cant use the dig function. As a tool, you have the same functionality as hand tools - LMB to drill, RMB to dhigg, double click to keep turned on.

[@hippopotamus86]

My drill only seems to do a tiny amount at a time. How do I change it to drill?

[@Beeblebum]

In my video I explain to use the drill out of the "Block Tools" category, that should allow you to drill like you drill with the hand drill, Left and right click mouse button.

[@ThatDudeCalled]

11:37 does anyone know the controller commands for this? (Piston/landing gear controls)

[@varidian694]

Okay so landing next to a power source charges it ?

[@Beeblebum]

No, as shared in the video (19:09) You need to build a connector to be able to charge and transfer between ship and base.

[@varidian694]

@Beeblebum I realised after ! Built my self a mining ship with a front facing Dock unit, wide set drill arms and 2 down facing one's linked to 3 large up thrusters and 4 batteries definitely a good design

[@MidnightWildspirit]

I feel You need an engineer's degree & some astronaut training to play this game. 😵‍💫

[@Beeblebum]

You are good.. I am neither of those and still manage to play this game.. lol 😂

[@jasonk795]

It's great to have an engineering software without the big price. Bit of a learning curve but once you get it, beautiful things can be built. Fun programming all the functions too. Good feeling when you build a ship and everything works perfect.

[@stevek4449]

Coming from other space building games let's say I want to build a hovering cargo carrier. I build it, add thrusters for all directions. Now how do I get it to move, hover, or fly? Do I add fuel tanks, reactors? I did this but no go, even with flames coming at 100% output. Did I need to add batteries or hydrogen engine to finally make it move? Same question for ground vehicle with wheels

[@mauruskpus]

I'm not an expert, but sounds like your ship is docked or parked. Try using the P key to unpark it. All thrusters consumes something: Atmospheric thrusters consume energy Hydrogen thrusters consume hydrogen (processed ice) Ion thrusters consume energy but they are only for space (low push on atmospheric environment)

[@Beeblebum]

As maurus stated, it could be a landing gear of a connector is still locked. But, it could also be your ship is too heavy compared with the amount of engines you installed. It also depends on the type of thrusters you installed and in what atmosphere you are. (f.e. ION thrusters wont work on a Earth like planet).

[@cyphi474]

Build small platform around your miner connector at base.... Ship can fall if you do something stupid to your power grid and connector lose power. Platform might get damaged from time to time by thrusters, but its just few iron plates vs potential serious damage to your miner. Recovering it after if it falls on side(worst case upside down) can be very annoying job. Not talking about damage it suffers.

[@mennogouw8359]

Am I the only one who cannot place the last thruster?

[@ThatDudeCalled]

My base in a very snowy location... Am i gonna have to move everything?

[@garycrockett4477]

No, just consider the snow to be like the grass. Just dig through it, and you'll find stone underneath. On the plus side, you get ice from the snow. The downside is: you suit uses energy a LITTLE faster keeping you warm when it's cold. All in all, I prefer a snowy location over a grassy location. The black or white "splotches" from the underground ores are easier to see. Enjoy!

[@jonasseese7848]

i have my refinery and assembler set up like yours and the assembler pulls materials from the refinery but when it makes parts i cannot pull them from the assemblers inventory from the refiner and have to break it every time to access those parts. what am i doing wrong?

[@Beeblebum]

Can you see the Assembler Inventory? From your Refiner I mean? Also - what platform do you play on?

[@jonasseese7848]

@@Beeblebum i’m on ps5 and and i don’t think i can see the assembler inventory from the refinery. i put the big connector looking things facing one another and i made sure i had the face of the other highlighted when i built

[@Beeblebum]

@@jonasseese7848 Above the inventory, there should be 2 buttons, one is a Helmet, the other looks like a box - It should say Connected Inventories. If you open that, it should show all inventories connected to the refinery. You can see me do this at 25:13

[@LewisRoussos-ym1lk]

Mate when your in the survival kit menu the is a search bar on the right type the name of the machine in the search bar u want to access and it will only show that machine so u can pull stuff out a had a similar problem coz am on controller.

[@jonasseese7848]

@@Beeblebum thanks for the response, sorry i was at work. it seems i can’t select the box; i think it’s greyed out. i reconstructed to make sure everything was facing the right way so could it be a power issue?

[@davidhaber2125]

Jesus Christ. I Just started playing this Game yesterday and it Took me 5 hours building a hoover that refines my hand collected Stones xD i Wish i watched your video sooner haha. This is helping a newbe Like me a Ton Mate. Thanks a Lot for sharing your experience

[@LordOfThunderUK]

Using the DrillSystem mod is far better and quicker.

[@davidalldred9392]

Great contact. Super helpful for dumdums like me😂

[@jmiogo]

Is there no indicator on the hud to show ship's weight?

[@Beeblebum]

It only shows the weight on the right panel in the hud. But it does not show if you are full or not - There is a mod that does show you if the drills are full, which is the last storage that gets filled.

[@kidclapr7275]

I blew up my battery whoops 😅

[@Beeblebum]

😂 That can happen.. haha. You probably had to restart if you did not already have the windturbine. haha

[@robbiephilipa5086]

I made a hefty mining ship as my friend was copying me and when I finished I told him to stop since I was worried it wouldn't work. We then test flew mine but It had NO where enough thrust so now I gotta completely redesign it on the copy he made

[@HungLikeScrat]

I wouldn't even know about SE if not for you! Thanks for finding a NMS replacement for me! I pre-ordered it 10 days before PS5 release. I'm still in creative for now, building ships and rovers. I just finished my interplanetary base ship and started on a rover for it. The rover locks onto the bottom of the big ship via pistons and magnetic blocks. It's so cool. I love this game!

[@Beeblebum]

It is really cool for sure! While the Exploration is pretty limited to only a handful of planets - I think the sandbox possibilities are amazing! I hope with their New Engine they can actually get those 50 Player servers working - Because I can see how cool it would be to play like that.

[@tacticaltyler6792]

I'm on console and i can't for the life of me find the option to build the survival kit, i don't see it in the toolbar config anywhere.

[@feikodelavieter7515]

nice way of approaching the first miner. I currently like the 'rotating - drill from base station' approach as this gives a ton of resources very easily. and (given that you need to be a good pilot when heavy with little thrust) i'll just jet pack fly for my first cobalt load, after that life is easy.

[@Beeblebum]

I am glad people keep replying on this video - Keeps reminding me I need to make part 3! 😂

[@feikodelavieter7515]

At least 3 vids; - to space and back again, - racing with rovers, and - love your base a little more.

[@royalgreed4499]

Please make a part 3 these are so nice to watch

[@Beeblebum]

Part 3 will come! Just busy with other things for now. 😊

[@darkehartplays]

Another useful way to get some storage when grinding the pod in early game is to build a freight container in the ground nearby. They require the Decorative Blocks 2 DLC to be built but anyone in your faction can use them, and they're cheaper than cargo containers.

[@VinokDesign]

Nice introduction, you explained everything that is important in this video to start! Keep it up

[@primesgaming369]

Very nice video. Looking forward to the next one 😀

[@xzombiegunzx1613]

When i use the piston to lift me up it flys me into orbit - is this no longer a thing?

[@Beeblebum]

Not sure what you're talking about.. lol

[@chadleach6009]

I dunno how it happened but despite the drills being on front of my car i ended up going almost straight down

[@Beeblebum]

Your Car? or your ship? If you meant your ship, double check your engines, to see if all of them are enabled..

[@chadleach6009]

@@Beeblebum no, car lol. No thrusters or anything that needs resources beyond what stone provides. Just started digging a boulder and proceeded to dig almost straight down it for some reason. 4wd doesn't help much when your at a near 90° level. Lol

[@christoenricokuyler7662]

When will yo do the following episode?

[@Beeblebum]

Rendering now - should be released soon. 😊

[@strave_vane]

What setting do I need to change? Lol my mine is lit up all the time and my trees glow at night like the sun shines through the planet

[@taz640121]

So I hooked the ship up but it is not charging, any recommendations?

[@MagaManiac]

I was at my wits end trying to learn this game and I wanted to let you know I appreciate how you teach awe 5 stars

[@Nick-jf7ku]

Beginners Guide to a game that was DUMPED and abandoned never to be finished... what is the point!! the game is DEAD it never lived up to 90% of the goals it had even when it was being made. its not even worth the time it takes it read the name

[@garycrockett4477]

At the end of #1, the side turbine was on the 3rd block down. At the beginning of #2, it was moved up to the 2nd block down. Hmmm... A little off-screen tweaking? LOL! Thanks for the videos. I really like your tiny flyer. Very ingenious! Keep up the good work.

[@Beeblebum]

Lol, Actually my previous play through (chapter 1) got accidentally deleted.. so had to restart and then continue from there.. hehe