There a number of things which can be done at the Steam Forge and Refining Machine, whether you are a Machinist or not. All of these options will require Neo Steam though.

Item Alteration

This option allows any adventurer to reconfigure the composition of a piece of equipment. In exchange for gold, Neo Steam, and Soul Crystals, an item of your choice will have its stats randomly reassigned. Be warned: it is possible for an item's stats to decrease during alteration, since the process is random.

Item Enhancement *

Use this function to upgrade your items in a number of ways. You can insert Seril Stones and Gower Stones to give a stat boost. You can also use a Craftsman's Hammer or a Master's Hammer to give an S upgrade, for an added boost. Enhancement is also used to insert a core machine into a socketed item to turn it into a steam machine with a powerful, new skill to use in combat. Certain Premium items also make use of enhancement, such as the Costume Scroll, which creates a costume item out of regular armor (excellent for disguising yourself!).

(Visit Upgrading Items for more information on upgrading your equipment.)

Crafting *

Machinists can create various items, based on their level and which class they specialize into. Artificers and Galvanists can use a form of crafting known as Smithing to produce weapons and armor. Gadgeteers and Tinkerers use Gizmology to produce bows, guns, accessories, and machine cores.

Refining

Visit a Refining Machine to process raw materials into more useful goods. This includes ores, ingots, leathers, wood scraps, crystals, and even potions. The machine is also ideal for compiling flight routes into an atlas or a portfolio.

Disassembly *

Machinists can melt down or dismantle items back into raw materials. However, they are only able to do this to items which they themselves know how to craft.

* Some of the above operations have a chance of failing. Always craft responsibly!