How on earth do you build the autolathe?

[Wakey]

I've tried all the combinations of metal/plastic/glass in my offhand with all the different tools. Besides the first welding with metal, I can't seem to do anything else? It just looks like a metal frame with a canister inside?

As a side-suggestion... It would be nice if the ingame "wiki" would tell the steps of building stuff, and not just what a machine does in input and output ;P

[Bunyan]

As you look at the machine it should say excactly what tool and building component(s) is needed. Have you tried that?

[Wakey]

Nothing other than the power/data/contents "popups"... Nothing else happens when looking at it.

[dognosh]

Enable "EXTENDED TOOLTIPS"

[CPT Chthonbeard the Pirate]

The tooltips will tell you if you enable them, but all of the printers with the exception of the fabricator are built in the following manner: (a) is active

2 iron sheets + lit welding torch (a)
4 copper cables (a)
2 plastic sheets + lit welding torch (a)
screwdriver (a)

Step 2 and 4 require your hands to have 2 different items, but the lit welding torch is in the active hand. Left or right it doesn't matter, just have the correct hand activated.

[atom heart]

It's the same for the electronic printer and hydraulic pipe bender. So, use the steps detailed above for them as well.

[hektor]

I wish there was a tooltips setting for the middle, skipping the mundane but showing more complicated tips, like objects that have a building process like machines.

[CPT Chthonbeard the Pirate]

Originally posted by atom heart:

It's the same for the electronic printer and hydraulic pipe bender. So, use the steps detailed above for them as well.

That is why I said, "All of the printers with the exception of the fabricator." ;)

Originally posted by hektor:

I wish there was a tooltips setting for the middle, skipping the mundane but showing more complicated tips, like objects that have a building process like machines.

Honestly, the tooltips they give are almost always helpful. Use X to construct, use Y to disassemble. Etc. Until you get it all memorized it's useful to have them.

[hektor]

That's my point, I would like to have a setting where all of the multi step/complicated ones are there and the trivial ones are not. There are plenty of trivial ones.

[CPT Chthonbeard the Pirate]

Originally posted by hektor:

That's my point, I would like to have a setting where all of the multi step/complicated ones are there and the trivial ones are not. There are plenty of trivial ones.

There is a suggestions channel that is active on the Discord if you want to put your suggestion there.

[dognosh]

Originally posted by hektor:

That's my point, I would like to have a setting where all of the multi step/complicated ones are there and the trivial ones are not. There are plenty of trivial ones.

You have a valid point, so in the absence of your solution do as I do.
When you need to construct or deconstruct these machines(start of the game and when you move them later on) enable extended tooltips, then disable them.

[hektor]

And then back on when you need them which was kinda my point. Even just a hotkey would be nice unless there is one I don't know of.