If you are serious about this then pony up and go to Vincennes University and take the precision manufacturing program. You will build several dies and injection molds and learn how to actually machine FAR before you ever touch a CNC machine. It's one of the few places left that can actually show you how to be a machinist not just a button pusher!
Will they let you go without going for a degree. I have been out of school over 30 years and have no desire to do all the other stuff to get the degree? Just want to do old school hobby machine work at home. I am in Vincennes everyday so I think I will stop by and talk to them.