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[MuseOD]

I've at last hit the magma sea at about -20z, and unfortunately, I've thus far squeezed the entirity of my fort into about fifteen z-levels, from 140 to 125. I'm aware of the 1x3 pump stack model, and can technically afford to do it (I have about a hundred and fifty odd iron bars), but I don't really want to. I'm also aware of the magma piston, but I'm afraid I'll screw it up.
Tl;dr, how do you guys suggest I get magma up 120z levels in as painless a manner as a megaproject like this can be?

[origamiscienceguy]

The 1x3 pump stack is the best option. You don't have to make them out of iron though, any magma-safe rock will do just fine.

[MuseOD]

But pumps need a giant corkscrew. And that can only be made from metal or wood IIRC.

[origamiscienceguy]

But pumps need a giant corkscrew. And that can only be made from metal or wood IIRC.

Oh yeah, forgot about that. If you have sand, you could make them out of green glass though, put a temporary magma glass furnace at the bottom and remove it once the stack is complets.

[MuseOD]

BRILLIANT. Thank you.

[origamiscienceguy]

No problem.

[MuseOD]

Huh. Can't find any sand in the area. Oh well.

[origamiscienceguy]

Have you checked in the caverns?

[MuseOD]

Yeah. There's nothing that I can see that is sandy.

[Wheeljack]

Buy it from the caravan and request more of it.You should get enough to start the project. Just remember to buy the sand and not the rough glass. :3

[MuseOD]

But, like I need 200+ bags of sand if I'm going to make any form of headway.

[infrequentLurker]

Try some careful channeling and learn how to use minecarts to transport magma, perhaps?  Need a handful of magma proof materials and most everything else can be engraved into the stone on the ground.

If you can get it working at all, a single dorf could move all the magma you need up one cartload at a time, releasing each minecart to roll down and push the next loaded minecart up out of the filling pool.

[Wheeljack]

True, but you can also use some of your iron if you want to speed up the process. It's going to take time to dig and build and make everything. Chances are you'll see a few caravans (both human and dwarven). Unless you're quick at that sort of thing. I'm slow as snails with pumpstacks. OTL

If you're okay with waiting, I'd request the sand at highest level and dump a ridiculous amount of profit on them so they bring two butt tons of stuff next time.There should be a sizeable amount of sand bags in there too. This way you don't eat through all of your iron.

Only other thing I can think of is I read somewhere you can teleport blocks of liquids up instantly with a cavein method. I'm at work and mobile bound or I'd go looking for it. If you don't mind cheating, that might be worth looking into.

[MuseOD]

@infrequentLurker
Is there a primer I can read on that? The wiki is somewhat vague
@Wheeljack
Thanks, I'll be sure to do that!

[infrequentLurker]

Buried somewhere in the dark depths of this very forum is a semi exhaustive tutorial on minecarts.  Am on mobile, but I will try to search for the one I read. Not that I understood/understand enough about DF to really put it into practice myself....  In any case, I'll look around.

Found the one I read: http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=144328.msg5701211#msg5701211
Understanding minecarts in 10 lessons

Related, probably better if you understand some of how to minecart first: http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=145053.msg5757901#msg5757901
Manual minecart magma delivery system, no power needed.