Through the ages, machines and tools were mostly made local. I recently studied my antique grain-sorter. Just doing some research on how it should function, and thus how I could restore and repair it gave me an interesting view in the enormous amount of models and variations on this topic. Nearly no two models were the same.

An antique grain-sorter (French: tarare)

What this says is that actually the craftsmen of old times had an idea of the functionality, and created their product based upon such specifications and using their own craftsmanship. Using tools they maintain, sharpen, repair and create themselves too.

This spirit and know-how is becoming something vital, so we can expand out self-sufficiency into the arena of ateliers. Ordering a spare part or machine from China will soon become history on its turn, and these requirements will become essential for a community to survive.