Just had 2 quick ideas i had:
1. Pest spray. Made with 5 rotten eggs, 1 gunpowder, 10 fuel and 2 logs. When used, all mobs within a 4 tile radius will lose aggro and try to run away. Lasts for 10 seconds. Clockworks are not affected, and bosses will only lose aggro for 5 seconds and not run. 5 uses.
2. Sapper. 2 doodads, 4 nitre and 2 moon rock. When placed on a clockwork, decreases their health quickly until dead. A clockwork being sapped also moves 50% slower.