RFTools Base guide for FTB Skies 2 1.0.1 to 1.5.2
RFTools Base guide for FTB Skies 2
Last verified for FTB Skies 2 v1.5.1 on Oct 17, 2026 · text last changed Oct 17, 2026
A newer release (1.24.0) is out Guide for the current version
Also applies to:FTB Skies 2: Aero 1.0.3 to 1.10.0FTB StoneBlock 4 1.1.1 to 1.23.0
- Sections
- 6
- Recipes shown
- 20
- Items named
- 38
5 sections are written for this pack; 1 is shared from another pack's guide.
Every recipe and number here was checked against FTB Skies 2 1.5.1's own files.
What is RFTools Base?
4 parts
RFTools Base is the foundation mod for McJty's tech mods, a family that includes RFTools Dimensions, RFTools Control, RFTools Power, Deep Resonance and XNet. On its own it is mostly a supply mod. It provides the shared parts and tools the rest of the family builds on.[1][2]
This pack ships RFTools Base 1.21-6.0.8, and it has been in the pack since 1.0.1 or earlier. The mod depends on McJtyLib.[1][3]
What it adds
- Dimensional Shard ore generates in small amounts in the Overworld and in larger amounts in other dimensions.[1]
- The machine infuser, plus the smart wrench and a security and owner system.[1]
- Base crafting materials for the other tech mods.[1]
Dimensional Shards
Dimensional Shard Ore is found underground in small clusters. Fortune affects it, and it drops Dimensional Shards when broken. The shards go into several of the more complicated recipes and can also be used to infuse machines.[4]
Machine Frames and Machine Bases
Machine Frames and Machine Bases do nothing on their own, but they show up in many recipes as the housing or base for other blocks. Machines made from a Machine Base are a quarter of a block high and usually have some form of redstone input or output.[5][6]
Machine Base machines face whichever edge of the block your cursor is closest to when you place them. That makes them handy in cramped spaces or on walls. To change the direction afterwards, right-click with the wrench in Wrench Mode.[5]
Who it is for
If you plan to use any of the other McJty tech mods, you will want to get familiar with this one first, because its materials feed into their recipes. In this pack, though, the sources I have don't show where it fits in the progression.[1][4][6]
Unverified Where RFTools Base sits in this pack's progression, and which of the other McJty tech mods are installed alongside it, is not confirmed by the available sources.
How do you get started with RFTools Base?
6 parts
RFTools Base is the base mod for the whole RFTools family, plus Deep Resonance and XNet. On its own it gives you crafting materials, the Smart Wrench, the Machine Infuser and Dimensional Shard ore. So your first steps here are about building the parts that every other tech machine in the pack will ask for.[1][2]
Several of these recipes are changed in this pack, so don't trust recipes you remember from other versions. The recipe blocks below show the exact in-pack versions.[7]
Step one: Technology Guide and Smart Wrench
Start with the Technology Guide. This is the mod's own recipe, unchanged by the pack.[7]
Crafting Shaped
| any iron nugget | |
| any iron nugget | any iron nugget |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:manual
Next, make the Smart Wrench, also unchanged by the pack. You'll use it constantly. In Wrench Mode, right-clicking a Machine Base machine changes the direction it faces. On an Information Screen it toggles the display mode, and on a Screen it changes size and transparency.[5][7][8][9]
Crafting Shaped
| Empty slot | Empty slot | any iron ingot |
| Empty slot | any blue dye | Empty slot |
| any blue dye | Empty slot | Empty slot |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:smartwrench
Step two: Machine Frame and Machine Base
The Machine Frame is the housing for machines and devices. It does nothing on its own, but it is a very common crafting ingredient. The pack has changed its recipe.[6][7]
Crafting Shaped
| any iron ingot | any blue dye | any iron ingot |
| any gold nugget | Empty slot | any gold nugget |
| any iron ingot | any blue dye | any iron ingot |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:machine_frame
The Machine Base is the other basic material, and the pack has changed its recipe too. Machines built from it are a quarter of a block high and usually have some redstone input or output. That makes them easy to place on walls or in cramped spaces.[5][7]
Crafting Shaped
| any gold nugget | any gold nugget | any gold nugget |
| any stone | any stone | any stone |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:machine_base
Step three: Dimensional Shards
Dimensional Shard drop from Dimensional Shard Ore, which generates underground in small clusters in various dimensions, and Fortune affects the drops. Shards go into several more complicated recipes, and you can also use them to infuse machines. The mod generates a small amount of ore in the Overworld and more in other dimensions.[1][4]
The pack has changed the shard's crafting recipe, so you have a way to make shards besides mining. There is also a Productive Bees centrifuge recipe that produces them, but the recipe dump does not list its inputs.[7]
Crafting Shaped
| any diamond gem | any emerald gem | any gold ingot |
| any iron ingot | ||
| any glass blocks |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:dimensionalshard
Step four: Machine Infuser
The Machine Infuser spends Dimensional Shards to make machines more efficient. For most things, infusing reduces their power requirements, and some devices get extra benefits. Infusing the Infuser itself makes it use less power. Which machines can be infused depends on which other RFTools mods are installed. The pack has changed the Infuser's recipe too.[7][10]
Crafting Shaped
| any diamond gem | any diamond gem | |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:machine_infuser
Step five: Information Screen
The Information Screen is a small screen you put next to a machine. By default it shows energy information, and some machines offer extra viewing options. It is a handy way to keep an eye on power while you set things up.[7][8]
Crafting Shaped
| any glass panes | any glass panes | any glass panes |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:information_screen
Later on
- Filter Module: modules go into machines that support them, usually by right-clicking the machine with the module. The Crafter, for example, supports the Filter Module.[7][11][12]
- Infused Diamond: crafted from a Dimensional Shard and a diamond, and the pack has changed this recipe.[7]
- Infused Enderpearl: crafted from a Dimensional Shard and an ender pearl.[7]
- Tablet (empty): the pack has changed this recipe as well.[7]
How does RFTools Base work?
6 parts
RFTools Base is the foundation for the rest of the RFTools family. On its own it adds Dimensional Shard ore generation, the Machine Infuser, base crafting materials for the other tech mods, the Smart Wrench and a security and owner system. Most of its "mechanics" are about building and improving machines from the other mods, so that's what this section covers.[1][2]
Machine Frames and Machine Bases
Machine Frame is the housing for machines and devices. It does nothing on its own and is a ubiquitous crafting ingredient. The pack changed its recipe from the mod's.[6][7]
Crafting Shaped
| any iron ingot | any blue dye | any iron ingot |
| any gold nugget | Empty slot | any gold nugget |
| any iron ingot | any blue dye | any iron ingot |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:machine_frame
Machine Base is the sibling material. Machines made from it are a quarter of a block high and usually have some form of redstone input or output. The pack changed this recipe too.[5][7]
Crafting Shaped
| any gold nugget | any gold nugget | any gold nugget |
| any stone | any stone | any stone |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:machine_base
When you place a Machine Base machine, the facing depends on which edge of the block face your cursor is closest to. Imagine an X on the face you're clicking and pick the quarter you're pointing at. The output faces that direction and the input comes from the opposite side. That makes these machines handy in cramped spaces and on walls.[5]
Dimensional Shards
Dimensional Shard ore generates underground in small clusters in various dimensions, with a small amount in the Overworld and more in other dimensions. It is affected by Fortune and drops Dimensional Shard when broken. Shards go into several more complicated recipes and are also what you use to infuse machines.[1][4]
The pack changed the crafting recipe for the shard, so you can also make them by hand. There is also a Productive Bees centrifuge recipe that produces a Dimensional Shard.[7]
Crafting Shaped
| any diamond gem | any emerald gem | any gold ingot |
| any iron ingot | ||
| any glass blocks |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:dimensionalshard
Centrifuge (productivebees)
Recipe id: productivebees:centrifuge/rftoolsbase/honeycomb_dimensional_shard
Infusing machines
The Machine Infuser uses Dimensional Shards to make a lot of machines more efficient. For most machines, infusing reduces their power requirements, and some get extra benefits. Infusing the Infuser itself makes it use less power. The pack changed the Infuser's recipe.[7][10]
Crafting Shaped
| any diamond gem | any diamond gem | |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:machine_infuser
The guide lists some extra benefits from other RFTools mods: the Matter Transmitter gets more speed, the Screen Controller gets more range and the Crafter uses less power. Those machines belong to other mods, so check that they're actually in your pack before planning around them.[10][12][13][14]
The Infuser's behaviour is tuned in the server config. In this pack all of these values match the mod defaults:[15]
- infuser.maxInfuse is 256, the amount of dimensional shards before a machine is fully infused.[15]
- infuser.infuserMaxRF is 60,000, the most RF the infuser can store.[15]
- infuser.infuserRFPerTick is 600, the RF per tick the infuser can receive.[15]
- infuser.usePerTick is 600, the RF used per tick while infusing.[15]
Shards also feed other crafting items, Infused Diamond and Infused Enderpearl. The pack changed the diamond recipe but left the pearl recipe as the mod has it.[7]
Crafting Shaped
| any diamond gem | ||
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:infused_diamond
Crafting Shaped
| any ender pearl | ||
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:infused_enderpearl
The Smart Wrench
The Smart Wrench removes tech blocks easily and selects blocks for special functions. Used as a normal wrench, sneak right-click picks a block up and right-click rotates it. Right-click in the air to change mode. In Select Mode it performs specialized operations on blocks like the Shield Projector.[16]
Crafting Shaped
| Empty slot | Empty slot | any iron ingot |
| Empty slot | any blue dye | Empty slot |
| any blue dye | Empty slot | Empty slot |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:smartwrench
Modules, filters and cards
Many RFTools tech machines accept modules. These are items that modify a machine or add functionality. In most cases you can just right-click the machine with the module to insert it.[11]
The Filter Module whitelists or blacklists items for machines that support it, such as the Builder, Modular Storage and Crafter. It handles blocks, items and tags, and can also require matching on NBT and damage.[17]
- Sneak right-click an inventory such as a chest to add everything inside it to the filter.[17]
- Sneak right-click a block in the world to add that block to the filter.[17]
- In the filter's GUI you can add tags, or convert a block or item to its matching tags.[17]
Crafting Shaped
| Empty slot | Empty slot | |
| any iron ingot | ||
| Empty slot | Empty slot |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:filter_module
The Crafting Card holds a recipe. It works for regular 3x3 recipes and for more complex shapes, and various machines can use it. The stored recipe doesn't have to be valid, so the card can also represent a general set of inputs and an output.[18]
Crafting Shaped
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:crafting_card
Monitoring and remote access
The Information Screen sits next to a machine and shows information about it. By default it shows energy information, and it can display power information for any block that supports RF/FE. Some machines, like the Powercells from RFTools Power, offer extra viewing options, and using a wrench on the screen toggles the display mode when the attached machine supports it.[8][19]
Crafting Shaped
| any glass panes | any glass panes | any glass panes |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:information_screen
The Tablet (empty) accesses machines remotely. Sneak right-click opens its internal GUI, where you can install up to 6 modules. A normal right-click opens the GUI of the current module. The remote machine has to be near enough or chunkloaded. If it is properly chunkloaded, the tablet also works from another dimension. The pack changed the Tablet recipe.[7][20]
Crafting Shaped
| any gold nugget | any emerald gem | any gold nugget |
| any gold nugget | any gold nugget |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:tablet
How do you progress through RFTools Base?
5 parts
RFTools Base is the foundation mod for the whole RFTools family, plus Deep Resonance and XNet. On its own it is mostly crafting materials and helper items, so the progression here is about unlocking those parts in the right order.[2]
Unverified No pack quests for this mod were found in the sources, so there is no quest-driven path. The tiers below follow the in-pack crafting dependencies instead.
Tier 1: Guide and wrench
Start with the Technology Guide and the Smart Wrench. Both use the mod's own recipes, unchanged by the pack. The wrench lets you rotate and adjust machines, for example turning a Machine Base machine to face another way.[5][7]
Crafting Shaped
| any iron nugget | |
| any iron nugget | any iron nugget |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:manual
Crafting Shaped
| Empty slot | Empty slot | any iron ingot |
| Empty slot | any blue dye | Empty slot |
| any blue dye | Empty slot | Empty slot |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:smartwrench
Tier 2: Machine Frame and Machine Base
The Machine Frame is the housing for machines. It does nothing on its own, but it is a very common crafting ingredient. The pack changes its recipe, so go by the recipe below.[6][7]
Crafting Shaped
| any iron ingot | any blue dye | any iron ingot |
| any gold nugget | Empty slot | any gold nugget |
| any iron ingot | any blue dye | any iron ingot |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:machine_frame
The Machine Base is the other building block. It also does nothing alone, but machines made from it are a quarter of a block high and usually have some redstone input or output. The pack changes this recipe too.[5][7]
Crafting Shaped
| any gold nugget | any gold nugget | any gold nugget |
| any stone | any stone | any stone |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:machine_base
Tier 3: Dimensional Shards
The Dimensional Shard is the gate to most of the advanced recipes. Dimensional Shard Ore generates underground in small clusters in various dimensions, and Fortune affects its drops. The shards are used in several more complicated recipes and can also infuse machines.[4]
The pack also gives you a crafted route, and it changes that recipe. There is also a Productive Bees centrifuge recipe that outputs shards. The dump lists no item inputs for it, so check in game what feeds it.[7]
Crafting Shaped
| any diamond gem | any emerald gem | any gold ingot |
| any iron ingot | ||
| any glass blocks |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:dimensionalshard
Tier 4: Infused materials and the Machine Infuser
Once you have shards, you can make Infused Diamond and Infused Enderpearl. The pack changes the diamond recipe, while the ender pearl one is the mod's own.[7]
Crafting Shaped
| any diamond gem | ||
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:infused_diamond
Crafting Shaped
| any ender pearl | ||
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:infused_enderpearl
The Machine Infuser also needs a shard, and the pack changes its recipe as well. Infusing is worth doing because it reduces power usage on machines such as the Crafter and the Dialing Device.[4][7][12][21]
Crafting Shaped
| any diamond gem | any diamond gem | |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:machine_infuser
Tier 5: Modules, screens and the Tablet
The last group is utility gear. The Filter Module is a module, and modules are items you insert into machines to modify them or add functions. The Crafter supports the Filter Module. The Crafting Card has a mod-default recipe, but the sources don't explain its use.[7][11][12]
Crafting Shaped
| Empty slot | Empty slot | |
| any iron ingot | ||
| Empty slot | Empty slot |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:filter_module
Crafting Shaped
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:crafting_card
The Information Screen is built around a Machine Base, so it is easy to reach once you are past Tier 2. The empty Tablet (empty) has a recipe changed by the pack. A Tablet lets you examine and change redstone signals from anywhere when you slot in a Redstone Information item.[7][22]
Crafting Shaped
| any glass panes | any glass panes | any glass panes |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:information_screen
Crafting Shaped
| any gold nugget | any emerald gem | any gold nugget |
| any gold nugget | any gold nugget |
Recipe id: rftoolsbase:tablet
How does RFTools Base work with other mods?
4 parts
RFTools Base is the base mod for the whole RFTools family, plus Deep Resonance and XNet. In this pack, the clearest links to other mods are the recipes: RFTools Builder, RFTools Power, RFTools Utility and XNet all build on RFTools Base materials and mix them with vanilla Minecraft items. There is also one Productive Bees connection.[2][7]
Machine Frames and Machine Bases
Machine Frame does nothing on its own, but it is a ubiquitous crafting ingredient. Machine Base is similar, but the machines it produces are a quarter of a block high and usually have some form of redstone input or output.[5][6]
XNet is the clearest example. The Controller, Router, Wireless Router and Redstone Proxy are all built on a Machine Frame, combined with vanilla redstone parts.[7]
Crafting Shaped
| any iron ingot | any gold ingot | any iron ingot |
Recipe id: xnet:controller
The redstone gadgets in RFTools Utility use the Machine Base instead. Logic, Analog, Sensor, Timer and Digit are examples, and they are mixed with vanilla items such as the comparator and the clock. The RFTools Power monitoring blocks work the same way, for example Power Monitor and Power Level.[7]
Crafting Shaped
Recipe id: rftoolsutility:timer
Power blocks changed by the pack
Several RFTools recipes that use Base materials have been changed by this pack, so don't rely on recipes you remember from the mod's defaults. The changed ones are Dimensional Cell, Dimensional Cell (Simple), Endergenic, Power Core (Medium), Power Core (High), Counter and Environmental Controller. The recipe blocks below show the exact in-pack versions.[7]
Crafting Shaped
| any diamond gem | ||
| any emerald gem |
Recipe id: rftoolspower:dimensionalcell
This recipe is changed by the pack.
Crafting Shaped
| any diamond gem | any ender pearl | any diamond gem |
| any diamond gem | any ender pearl | any diamond gem |
Recipe id: rftoolspower:endergenic
This recipe is changed by the pack.
Dimensional Shards and infused items
Dimensional Shards are used in several of the more complicated recipes, and the Base mod's infused items show up across the other RFTools mods. In RFTools Builder, the upgrade from Shield Projector Tier 3 to Shield Projector Tier 4 needs a Dimensional Shard plus vanilla items. The same goes for the Shape Card (Silk Quarry) and Shape Card (Fortune Quarry) upgrades.[4][7]
In RFTools Utility, the Module Template is made from a shard and an Infused Diamond. ModulePlus Template then adds the infused items. The Plus modules, such as Haste+ Module and Speed+ Module, use that template together with an infused item and a vanilla item.[7]
Crafting Shaped
Recipe id: rftoolsutility:moduleplus_template
Productive Bees
The pack has a bee-conversion recipe that takes Infused Diamond and gives a Productive Bees dimensional shard.[7]
Bee Conversion (productivebees)
Recipe id: productivebees:bee_conversion/rftoolsbase/dimensional_shard_bee
Which RFTools Base config options matter?
1 part
Same as in the FTB Skies 2 1.22.0 guide
RFTools Base only has a handful of options that matter, and they all belong to the infuser. They live in infuser.infuserMaxRF's file, config/rftoolsbase-server.toml. The good news: this pack leaves every one of them at the mod default, so nothing has been changed here.[23]
Infuser settings in this pack
- infuser.infuserMaxRF is 60,000. This is the maximum RF the infuser can store. It matches the mod default.[23]
- infuser.infuserRFPerTick is 600. This is how much RF per tick the infuser can receive. It matches the mod default.[23]
- infuser.usePerTick is 600. This is the RF used per tick while infusing. It matches the mod default.[23]
- infuser.maxInfuse is 256. This is the maximum number of dimensional shards before a machine is fully infused. It matches the mod default.[23]
Because the infuser receives 600 RF per tick and uses 600 RF per tick, a feed of 600 RF per tick is enough to keep it running while it infuses. Its 60,000 RF buffer is the most it can hold.[23]
Sources
- RFTools Base project page (modrinth) · official mod data
- In-game guide: RFTools Base (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- FTB Skies 2 1.5.1 mod list · pack file
- In-game guide: Dimensional Shards (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: Machine Bases (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: Machine Frames (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- FTB Skies 2 1.5.1 recipe dump: recipes making RFTools Base items · pack recipe dump
- In-game guide: Information Screen (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: The Screen (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: Infusing (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: Modules (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: The Crafter (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: Matter Transmitter (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: The Screen Controller (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- FTB Skies 2 1.5.1 config: config/rftoolsbase-server.toml · pack file
- In-game guide: Smart Wrench (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: Filter Module (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: Crafting Card (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- rftoolsbase tooltips and descriptions (English lang file) · official mod data
- In-game guide: The Tablet (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: Dialing Device (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- In-game guide: Redstone Information (rftoolsbase) · official docs
- FTB Skies 2 1.22.0 config: config/rftoolsbase-server.toml · pack file
Where this guide comes from
Written from what FTB Skies 2 itself ships: its files and recipes, the in-game guidebooks and the mods' own pages. Every statement links to the source it came from, and the numbers are checked against the pack before publishing.
Guide last verified Oct 17, 2026.
Guides for other versions: 1.6.0 to 1.24.0