Getting started
Making your first machine
To get started in this mod, you will need copper, zinc, andesite and iron. They are the basic materials to get your first machine up and working. I suggest you make andesite alloy too which can be made from 2 andesite and 2 iron or zinc nuggets. Now, the first thing you will want to craft is a Water Wheel, They require a water source on top of them that is flowing towards the front.
Now, after that you will need cogwheels and shafts. Cogwheels can be made by surrounding an andesite alloy with 8 wood buttons. A shaft can be made from 2 andesite alloys on top of each other in the crafting grid. Once you have these, you will want to make a Mechanical Press, this press is needed to craft Gold, Copper, Brass, and Iron Plates. After that, a world of possibilities are open for you. Once you go to the nether though, you will want to gather some blaze rods. These blaze rods can be used in the crafting of Brass, which is used for more complex components better item transport, and automation.
Tips and tricks
Once you have made an encased fan, I suggest you break down the ores in a mill and wash them with an encased fan with a water source in front of it. This will help you gather at least 10 nuggets with and additional chance of 5 extra. Don't worry if you smelted all your ores already though. The ores are pretty common.
Wheat is a really good food. You'll want to put wheat in a mill and wash it in the machines you made earlier.
Gearboxes are pretty handy. They can help you convert horizontal rotational force into vertical and vice versa.