To make andesite alloy, everything but clay seems to be automatable using just andesite machines. Add a way to automate crafting of sediment strainers without brass mechanical crafters. I would suggest a sequenced assembly of stick + canvas x3.

Also an earlier way to autocraft wooden buttons for making cogs would be nice. A sawing recipe of wooden slab > button maybe.

I think that part is supposed to be like so, to force you to progress to mill stones. You would need around maybe 32 strainers to get to that point.