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[fraxert]

I am still quite unfamiliar with the intricacies of Dwarf Fortress, and I need to ask a question.

One of the ways I create an economy for my forts is buying steel from the merchants, turning it into mechanisms than trading them back for profit.

My question is: when I forge a metal mechanism, does the process use mechanics or metalworking to determine quality?

I cannot test this at the moment because my current fortress is still rather small and I can't devote two dwarves to the test.

[nomad_delta]

Metal mechanisms are created at a Metalsmith's Forge by a dwarf with the "Mechanic" labor enabled, and uses the "Mechanic" skill to determine the quality.

--nomad_delta

[fraxert]

Thanks, Nomad_delta! This will help my dwarves greatly.

[GreatWyrmGold]

I'd suggest using aluminum, platinum, or (if those are unavailable in the quantities you desire) gold, and save the steel for the militia. Those metals also have higher value and, therefore, higher profit margins.

[Sphalerite]

Can't mechanisms only be made from weapon-grade metals?

[nomad_delta]

Can't mechanisms only be made from weapon-grade metals?

You are correct, weapons-grade only for mechanisms as far as I know.

--nomad_delta

[Nan]

Although you can make mechanisms using a mechanic's shop from native aluminum, platinum or gold.

[dr_random]

The key is using the ore, not the metal.
Anyway, I remember trying to sell excess mechanisms and failing to find them in the lists. Is selling mechanisms a vanilla feature?
I also failed to find goblets once and threw them into the smelter again.

[Wannazzaki]

I am a pretty conservative trader, will trade a few high cost prepared meals for everything they own that could be useful, including all of their food which inevitably ends up with a net profit of sellable prepared meals of decent value. Perhaps i'm doing it wrong but it does work

[kardwill]

The key is using the ore, not the metal.
Anyway, I remember trying to sell excess mechanisms and failing to find them in the lists. Is selling mechanisms a vanilla feature?
I also failed to find goblets once and threw them into the smelter again.

Goblets and mugs don't appear in the finished goods trade listings.
To can sell goblets and mechanism, I use the search engine in the trade screen. Simply write "gobl" and every crate containing at least one goblet will appear on the trade screen. Same for mechanisms
A VERY useful feature, although it took me a while to use it.

[i2amroy]

I am a pretty conservative trader, will trade a few high cost prepared meals for everything they own that could be useful, including all of their food which inevitably ends up with a net profit of sellable prepared meals of decent value. Perhaps i'm doing it wrong but it does work

Personally I prefer to use mass amounts of stone crafts. Same effect, but it has the side effect of removing the several thousand extra useless stone that is lying around slowing down the game.

[Loud Whispers]

I am a pretty conservative trader, will trade a few high cost prepared meals for everything they own that could be useful, including all of their food which inevitably ends up with a net profit of sellable prepared meals of decent value. Perhaps i'm doing it wrong but it does work

Personally I prefer to use mass amounts of stone crafts. Same effect, but it has the side effect of removing the several thousand extra useless stone that is lying around slowing down the game.

I find furniture and statues are nicer + more profit

Oh and rock pots. Lotsa rock pots.

[Triaxx2]

True, but those clog masonry work shops, that might be necessary for blocks, or other useful crafts.

[Loud Whispers]

True, but those clog masonry work shops, that might be necessary for blocks, or other useful crafts.

Not if you dig up the massive stockpiles like I do...

And you get more stone, and the circle of life fps death is completed.

[BigFatStupidHead]

Goblets and mugs don't appear in the finished goods trade listings.
To can sell goblets and mechanism, I use the search engine in the trade screen. Simply write "gobl" and every crate containing at least one goblet will appear on the trade screen. Same for mechanisms
A VERY useful feature, although it took me a while to use it.

I had no idea the trade menu had a search! Is it accessed in the "bring goods to depot" screen?