How can one when not affiliated to an institution get access to very common piece of equipment for a subject? I am working on my next geology research project, after recent publication, that has no affiliation to a research institute (e.g. I am conducting research in my spare time). I am now thinking how I might be able to access a petrographic microscope and a point counter, two commonly available pieces of equipment found in any geology department at a university.

I would like to get try and get access to the resources free of charge offering acknowledgement space on what I hope to be published work. If it is possible to gain access with a small payment it would be interesting to hear.

I believe there are two ways of approaching this:


Approach a researcher directly about the project and propose it as work to be associated with that researcher perhaps through coauthorship
Approach a university about the project and propose acknowledgement of the university in the paper


Coming from a point of ignorance about gaining access to university resources can anyone advise how should one go about this?

I am working in the UK and most convenient places for me to get to institutions is in London or the South East of England.
Find someone in the institution (your approach 1), write to them, and ask.  You'll need a brief description of your experiment so the recipient knows what they're agreeing to.  If this is common equipment in your field and you're not proposing to take over the lab for hours every week, just ask.  The worst they can do is to say no.