"Tom Gardner" wrote in message
. com...
I'm reading an interesting novel about the island of Nantucket getting
transported back in time to 1200 BC. (Island in the sea of time) The
residence have to gear their technology back quite a bit, understandably.
One of the first things they do is organize the hobby machinists into an
industry to produce necessities and trade goods. Machine shop heroes!
One big problem looming is the finite supply of tool steel and cutting
tools. How would someone with such limited resources make small quantities
of serviceable tool steel cutting tools? They have plenty of mild steel
from boats and cars.

Thats pretty much the bronze age.
Since you like to read, your answer is in "The Mysterious Island" by Jules
Verne. Which is something every high-school age male should read anyway.