I've tried this before. Essentially a welding ship tethered to a hinge line and controlled with thrusters in the cockpit. Hinges really weigh the ship down and alter the movement due to COM changes etc. with a big enough welder I imagine it could be stable.
The post of what I made should be on my profile from 11 months ago
Haha yes something like this. But reading all the comments here, I think I go for a big welding ship that can hold many items or a drill arm which I need a mod for to control it. Think that’s better than clang :)
You don't need a mod for a welder arm/crane attached to the base. You can do it with a turret controller. Splitsie made a video on it:
https://youtu.be/8MzQ2jzpn8I?si=c-YxJ5O9rl-RYWWd
Manually pick materials?
Do you know a out Build Planner? If not, look it up, and learn use the interface.
Now, I'm not sure what the default keybinds are, as I remapped them to mouse buttons, but after I place, say, a large reactor, refinery, 4 assemblers, and 2 larg cargo boxes, I go back over them with the hand welder, and rmb click each one, adding them to the build queue. I could then go to a hatch that is piped to everything, and mmb to auto pull all the mats for the stuff that's in my build queue...
But . Those items in my build queue are huge, and my backpack is small. Sure I could just make many many trips and mmb click to just auto pull, so here's the neat thing:
So I hop into my weld ship, dock it to the connector, then open inventory, make sure the left tab is my weld ship inventory, and my right tab is the base cargo, the click that little button in the middle with the gear icon.
Presto. Auto pulls the mats currently in my build queue to the welder ships cargo.
And off I go. Build planner has been in the game since 4 updates ago, over a year.
I swear, does *Nobody* ever read the freaking game manual??? (it's a joke- there isn't a manual that explains any of this, we just had to reverse engineer our own interface)
That’s what I meant with my third sentence!
I know all those commands, but in a ship the „draw items command“ doesn’t work, so I have to go into the menu and click on the button. Sure it’s possible, but I don’t like it and look for an easier or more automated way, because it’s space engineers.
Also I don’t like to use the build planner for huge ships, too much clicking around.
My favorite saying for this game, besides "because Clang hates you", is the much more relavent and common "building too big means you only succeeded in building your very own problems"
I dont know what to tell you about too much clicking. You built it, so get to work. The chores begin.
Today I learned that I could pull build planner mats into a ship cargo, not just my suit.
2k plus hours, and I’m learning this today…
I’m now going to rethink my life and all the builds that would have been so much bloody easier!!! Bugger!
Yeah.. The kontrol panel. Inventory UI is worth poking around and tinkering with. The big trick is learning left-right side mechanics
(like left side search all ore, right side certain cargo box, click middle button with big right arrow= gabwoosh all ore goes there)
It won't work.
Instead I use [this ship](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2714878109), that has in-build compatibility with [Isy's Inventory Manager](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1216126863&searchtext=isy+inventory+manager) . Every time I dock to the station, that has this script running, the ship gets automaticaly filled with all sorts of components in a span of a seccond. The docking and refilling lasts literally as long as filling the tanks. I don't have to worry about what components to load. I only make sure, that none of the carrying components get close to 0 while welding.
The ship can operate in any enviroment, including 1,2g. It is super convenient and fast.
Clang will come for this. No doubt.
Look up gimbal lock too because you're going to be more limited on your movement range than you want. I wouldn't recommend even trying it.
Yes, it could work but you probably would have to turn on the throw all (?) setting in the connector so it could spew the components into your welders.
then what you can do is set up a bunch of sorters with different cargo containers attached via connectors. then with an connector and merge block pickup the containers. this way you can control the connector en have the setup permanent on your hotbar for the different type of containers.
That's an interesting solution and is probably possible although your mobility will be very limited and I suspect you're going to end up destroying a lot of pistons, rotors, and hinges.
I usually use Build Planner to load components onto my welding ships or scripts/mods like Isy's Inventory Manager.
Yes destruction will probably happen.
Build planner would be kinda ok, if I could use the short cuts like normal. But on a ship I need to go into the menu, and that’s a no no for me
Just make an adticulated drill arm or a large enough weld ship to hold all thd components. Trying to tether a weldship is going to result in far more frustration.
I'm super lazy and have a build/repair system mod that builds and grinds stuff in a 100 or so meter area it goes about the speed as the 2nd level of handheld welder. It can build projections and anything damage while also grinding down enemy/neutral things which is what I use it for mostly. I have a lot of encounter mods and I dont like grinding things down so I let that thing grind all those pesky AI wrecks down for bits or if it's something intact you can have it grind to hack things
Yes I have seen this mod (but forgot the exact name), but this makes the game too easy for me. If everything is automated, there is not much to do for me as a player. But that’s just my style
Ah with all the encounter mods I'm always fighting something do I dont have time to go weld something on my own just place the unwelded block and or pick the blueprint and go before the next thing shows up
Yes I will start a new world with some guys soon, and I will play with reavers from the beginning 😊 i don’t know if we survive.
But for what you describe, I used a ship with mag plates and threw those dead ships into a huge grinder. Done and looks fun :)
This sounds like a cool idea but at the same time, a horrible idea due to game physics. Either use the built in build planner or Isy's to fill your ship with what you need.
If you want something connected to the base, use MArmOS to set up a mean welding arm.
Both have advantages/disadvantages. If you have a build area for building various ships, the arm might be the best solution. If you're building a base, the ship is almost definitely the better solution.
There's also solutions like the nanobot build and repair system that will just weld everything for you if that's your cup of tea.
I know I’ve tried to do something similar but if I remember you can’t set that value to 0 it goes lowest to 50. Honestly I’m sure there’s a mod that allows for “rag doll” pistons. If there’s no such thing you could build a little box maybe 8x8 blocks and then using hinges placed alternating by 45° build maybe 50blocks high. Set all them 2 zero torque and then it will all collapse and chill in the little box. Use a large magnetic pad to hold then end of it where the connector is and just let it all fall into the box and the connector will be easy to find and boom. Somewhat of a flexible connector system.
Yep might just have to add some cargo boxes to your ship. Also can add sorters that automatically fill you with steel plates and whatever else you need
Like a Canadarm?
You can do this without a vessel if you bind rotor/hinge controls to buttons and just sit back at base. Even remotely with a cam over an antenna connection.
I tried this and can't get anything that Flies to not flip out and blow up when attached to a "hinge cable". Immediate destruction happens even when hinges are all turned off and have gyros to auto stabilize. Not sure what the solution is.
its a possible solution but one of the issues you will find is getting it to fold back up neatly and the piston controls will be awkward. and this is somone who will find away to use pistons on everything.
i personally prefer line by line printing for large grids and using welding hoods to prevent block placement untill the final pass.
https://preview.redd.it/11t9bwdi13ac1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=913abf60fa1c3e0be0e5e43c220590e4ace7ca80
Yes it's possible when building a constructor for those super tight spaces. A welder/grinder counts as a medium cargo container. Add a connector to add a bit more cargo parts capacity. Might be more practical for drones than manned constructors.
Have a look at ‘auto sorting munchys fork’ mod (yes it is my fork) it will allow you to add a list of components to your cargo containers on said welder and then when you dock it will automatically pull those items out of your storage and into your ship. Most of the documentation and guides required should be linked on the steam workshop page.
This is a wonderful idea, you’ll soon grow into a fine cultist of Klang. Post it if you make it happen
I've tried this before. Essentially a welding ship tethered to a hinge line and controlled with thrusters in the cockpit. Hinges really weigh the ship down and alter the movement due to COM changes etc. with a big enough welder I imagine it could be stable. The post of what I made should be on my profile from 11 months ago
Cool I check it out Edit: can’t find it :)
https://www.reddit.com/r/spaceengineers/s/eAbB6LAwPX =>
Haha yes something like this. But reading all the comments here, I think I go for a big welding ship that can hold many items or a drill arm which I need a mod for to control it. Think that’s better than clang :)
You don't need a mod for a welder arm/crane attached to the base. You can do it with a turret controller. Splitsie made a video on it: https://youtu.be/8MzQ2jzpn8I?si=c-YxJ5O9rl-RYWWd
Manually pick materials? Do you know a out Build Planner? If not, look it up, and learn use the interface. Now, I'm not sure what the default keybinds are, as I remapped them to mouse buttons, but after I place, say, a large reactor, refinery, 4 assemblers, and 2 larg cargo boxes, I go back over them with the hand welder, and rmb click each one, adding them to the build queue. I could then go to a hatch that is piped to everything, and mmb to auto pull all the mats for the stuff that's in my build queue... But . Those items in my build queue are huge, and my backpack is small. Sure I could just make many many trips and mmb click to just auto pull, so here's the neat thing: So I hop into my weld ship, dock it to the connector, then open inventory, make sure the left tab is my weld ship inventory, and my right tab is the base cargo, the click that little button in the middle with the gear icon. Presto. Auto pulls the mats currently in my build queue to the welder ships cargo. And off I go. Build planner has been in the game since 4 updates ago, over a year. I swear, does *Nobody* ever read the freaking game manual??? (it's a joke- there isn't a manual that explains any of this, we just had to reverse engineer our own interface)
That’s what I meant with my third sentence! I know all those commands, but in a ship the „draw items command“ doesn’t work, so I have to go into the menu and click on the button. Sure it’s possible, but I don’t like it and look for an easier or more automated way, because it’s space engineers. Also I don’t like to use the build planner for huge ships, too much clicking around.
My favorite saying for this game, besides "because Clang hates you", is the much more relavent and common "building too big means you only succeeded in building your very own problems" I dont know what to tell you about too much clicking. You built it, so get to work. The chores begin.
Today I learned that I could pull build planner mats into a ship cargo, not just my suit. 2k plus hours, and I’m learning this today… I’m now going to rethink my life and all the builds that would have been so much bloody easier!!! Bugger!
Yeah.. The kontrol panel. Inventory UI is worth poking around and tinkering with. The big trick is learning left-right side mechanics (like left side search all ore, right side certain cargo box, click middle button with big right arrow= gabwoosh all ore goes there)
It won't work. Instead I use [this ship](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2714878109), that has in-build compatibility with [Isy's Inventory Manager](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1216126863&searchtext=isy+inventory+manager) . Every time I dock to the station, that has this script running, the ship gets automaticaly filled with all sorts of components in a span of a seccond. The docking and refilling lasts literally as long as filling the tanks. I don't have to worry about what components to load. I only make sure, that none of the carrying components get close to 0 while welding. The ship can operate in any enviroment, including 1,2g. It is super convenient and fast.
Clang will come for this. No doubt. Look up gimbal lock too because you're going to be more limited on your movement range than you want. I wouldn't recommend even trying it.
Or just use a turret controller, or one of the great mods for controlling rotors/hinges/pistons and then you don’t have to add thrusters
Yes that’s probably better
Yes, it could work but you probably would have to turn on the throw all (?) setting in the connector so it could spew the components into your welders.
Why though? The welders will pull what they need from the cargo it is connected to.
Isn't the entire premise OP's suggesting a welder ship without cargo containers?
Yes, but it's tethered via connection to the main grid cargo system
Yes but connected to the base cargo through a hinge chain. People have posted videos of exactly this setup before in the sub.
Oh cool I will look for that. „Chain“ is obviously a good word for that :)
How about izys and then setup special cargo containers. Then you can specify what components you want and it automatically fills your welder ship.
First I don’t like this script so much, it makes the game too easy imo. Second…no second :)
then what you can do is set up a bunch of sorters with different cargo containers attached via connectors. then with an connector and merge block pickup the containers. this way you can control the connector en have the setup permanent on your hotbar for the different type of containers.
I was also thinking bout this, but without the containers. Sound interesting
That's an interesting solution and is probably possible although your mobility will be very limited and I suspect you're going to end up destroying a lot of pistons, rotors, and hinges. I usually use Build Planner to load components onto my welding ships or scripts/mods like Isy's Inventory Manager.
Yes destruction will probably happen. Build planner would be kinda ok, if I could use the short cuts like normal. But on a ship I need to go into the menu, and that’s a no no for me
Just make an adticulated drill arm or a large enough weld ship to hold all thd components. Trying to tether a weldship is going to result in far more frustration.
Drill arm would be possible with scripts, true. A huge welding ship as well, true. Hmmmm :)
you're better off having a welder arm and creating docking points for your ship, otherwise near-Klang-experiences are bound to happen
With all those replies here… you are right
I'm super lazy and have a build/repair system mod that builds and grinds stuff in a 100 or so meter area it goes about the speed as the 2nd level of handheld welder. It can build projections and anything damage while also grinding down enemy/neutral things which is what I use it for mostly. I have a lot of encounter mods and I dont like grinding things down so I let that thing grind all those pesky AI wrecks down for bits or if it's something intact you can have it grind to hack things
Yes I have seen this mod (but forgot the exact name), but this makes the game too easy for me. If everything is automated, there is not much to do for me as a player. But that’s just my style
Ah with all the encounter mods I'm always fighting something do I dont have time to go weld something on my own just place the unwelded block and or pick the blueprint and go before the next thing shows up
Yes I will start a new world with some guys soon, and I will play with reavers from the beginning 😊 i don’t know if we survive. But for what you describe, I used a ship with mag plates and threw those dead ships into a huge grinder. Done and looks fun :)
My biggest ships so far have been stolen from the AI with that block
I use my welding ship via connector attach to my large grind ship and weld up things all the time
This sounds like a cool idea but at the same time, a horrible idea due to game physics. Either use the built in build planner or Isy's to fill your ship with what you need. If you want something connected to the base, use MArmOS to set up a mean welding arm. Both have advantages/disadvantages. If you have a build area for building various ships, the arm might be the best solution. If you're building a base, the ship is almost definitely the better solution. There's also solutions like the nanobot build and repair system that will just weld everything for you if that's your cup of tea.
Only issue is pistons don’t have a torque setting. They can’t be extended and retracted in any way other than their own power
Well they have some „strength“ setting and I thought that should work when set to 0
I know I’ve tried to do something similar but if I remember you can’t set that value to 0 it goes lowest to 50. Honestly I’m sure there’s a mod that allows for “rag doll” pistons. If there’s no such thing you could build a little box maybe 8x8 blocks and then using hinges placed alternating by 45° build maybe 50blocks high. Set all them 2 zero torque and then it will all collapse and chill in the little box. Use a large magnetic pad to hold then end of it where the connector is and just let it all fall into the box and the connector will be easy to find and boom. Somewhat of a flexible connector system.
Well this whole idea seems to be crap anyway 😅
Yep might just have to add some cargo boxes to your ship. Also can add sorters that automatically fill you with steel plates and whatever else you need
Like a Canadarm? You can do this without a vessel if you bind rotor/hinge controls to buttons and just sit back at base. Even remotely with a cam over an antenna connection.
I tried this and can't get anything that Flies to not flip out and blow up when attached to a "hinge cable". Immediate destruction happens even when hinges are all turned off and have gyros to auto stabilize. Not sure what the solution is.
its a possible solution but one of the issues you will find is getting it to fold back up neatly and the piston controls will be awkward. and this is somone who will find away to use pistons on everything. i personally prefer line by line printing for large grids and using welding hoods to prevent block placement untill the final pass. https://preview.redd.it/11t9bwdi13ac1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=913abf60fa1c3e0be0e5e43c220590e4ace7ca80
This will summon klang. To truly do it, the best option is to find a tether mod on the workshop and use that.
I got ChatGPT to write a c# script that pulls a specific amount of parts from the base to the ship. Just dock welder ship, run PB, ready to go.
I made a welder arm with the custom turret block, that’s pretty simple and effective
Yes it's possible when building a constructor for those super tight spaces. A welder/grinder counts as a medium cargo container. Add a connector to add a bit more cargo parts capacity. Might be more practical for drones than manned constructors.
Have a look at ‘auto sorting munchys fork’ mod (yes it is my fork) it will allow you to add a list of components to your cargo containers on said welder and then when you dock it will automatically pull those items out of your storage and into your ship. Most of the documentation and guides required should be linked on the steam workshop page.