Hello mate
I don't want to rain on your hopes, and it is great to put your idea out there, but perhaps you should continue thinking 'outside the box'. When I first started I couldn't give work away. It took a long time to make a little progress. I ended up buying my own machinery from auctions/liquidations and kind of jumping in on my own (kitchen full of planers and saws and one very understanding wife - which some of this parish will attest to). I would be very nervous about letting someone, pretty much anyone, use my machines for the very reasons that have already been outlined; fear of accidents. Not so much being sued (can't get blood out of a stone...), rather you hurting yourself badly and being unable to make progress. To take somone on in a workshop environment a potential employer would have to spend time (read money) overseeing what you were doing. There is, of course, the possibility of the machines being damaged (Sods law dictates that a machine will always break when a new hand touches it).
Please do not be disheartened by this; I am being realistic with you (I think). I would suggest you are better off NOT offering to work for free as it may project the kind of image you need to avoid. I honestly think you should concentrate on making your own way, as best you can, and perhaps when you get a chance apply for jobs relative to your needs. There are, occasionally, trainee positions advertised.
I say this because I fear if I had spent all my energy applying for jobs in workshops etc I would be very low on pen and paper by now, and would have made little progress in all these years. By all means continue asking, maybe approach some individuals in person, which may endear you to someone. Too easy to say no on a forum/phone/letter etc. But do not expect too much and you will not be disappointed.
Do you have any workshop space at home? A garage?
Best wishes, and I do hope this helps.
Neil
