Basically the issue I am running into is that while through the steam age the guide book does a great job of getting you going, from the point that you get your quarry onward it gives you less details as to how things work. My first problem was a small one which was that I couldn't get the cutting machine working and it wasn't until I searched for lubricant that I learned it was it's own item and that not just anything I would consider a lubricant would do the job. Now I am in the electrical era and have made my first assembler and can't figure out how to get it working. I have it hooked up to a source of electricity but I don't know how to interact with the crafting menu it pulls up. It seems like the guide book sort of assumes that you know what you are doing but if I knew what I was doing I wouldn't need the guide book.
My personal thought on it all is to maybe have someone who has never used the mod before try to get through to the end of the mod in front of you so you can take notes on what you need to change about the guide book.

Usually people like the guide book. MI is very consistent when it comes to user interaction - so the guide book assumes that once you understand how machines and multiblocks work you are good to go.

I couldn't get the cutting machine working and it wasn't until I searched for lubricant that I learned it was it's own item

That I can clarify in the guide book.

I don't know how to interact with the crafting menu it pulls up.

It should be exactly like other machines - just with a different number of slots. What is confusing you?