Talk:Hellevator/@comment-24022341-20131007064837

I'll always make a 2-block wide shaft without platforms and use a hook or magic mirror to ascend. Platforms are useful here only until you have a grappling hook. Then, until you have a lucky horseshoe, they are a hazard, and afterward, an obstacle.

While digging, to deal with small amounts of water, I'll keep digging until I can find an open space to divert it. For large amounts of water, I'll build the shaft walls in the water before continuing to dig. This leaves a small amount of water to deal with inside the shaft walls so I can usually wait until there is a convienient place for it to run off. For lava, there are reserviors of water above that have been created by redirecting water. Pour water as needed on the lava to create an obsidian layer with water on top. Continue digging as before through the shaft, assuming your pickaxe can mine obsidian. To save water initially, build the shaft walls right down to the surface of the lava before pouring water.

If you acquire a large amount of water in your shaft, such as boring through a very deep body of water, which happens, excavate cavities to the side of the shaft, both to get rid of the water and create air pockets for breath. You can also wall off the shaft above you as you dig in order to prepare your water diversion strategy. I'll almost always use a glowstick while boring underwater. If it's necessary to create shaft walls through a lake, I'll always make them 2 blocks wide so that at the next opportunity, I can remove the inner wall, replace it with dry blocks, and then remove the outer retaining wall. But never dig with an unretained lake above you. The best way to dig ime is with a friend. One can take the left blocks and the other the right.