[m4x]

> I'm also curious how one builds up strong manufacturing skills safely?

Doing a trade apprenticeship is the common way to do it, but not an option for people looking to get in as a hobby. But even as a hobbyist, an "apprenticeship" is helpful if you can make friends who already have the experience you're after and are willing to hang out and build things with you.

You can learn a lot on your own, but you will miss some important safety and productivity tips that just aren't obvious except through experience.

And slightly off topic, but power tools are honestly not what frighten me - it's dust and chemical exposure that keeps me awake at night.