A small lathe and mill are on my list of things to acquire and learn to use. My income supports it now. But I'm already not getting anything done and the stuff I want to make isn't exactly beginners machining projects.
As I said, I have a buddy who is a great machinist. He's Hungarian and learned the real way - a many year apprenticeship. He knows his stuff.
Chances are one of us will be far away eventually so I at least want to get started while we're still living nearby each other. I'd hate to miss the opportunity and I know he'll be more than happy to teach me far more than I want to know.