Much like cities have
Coats for Kids and
Bike Rescues, I think we need Lathes for Kids. You really can make just about anything on a lathe in the absence of other tools, and we made so many of them to build things in WWII and thereafter that you can pick up a non-basketcase for $200-$400 and get it running for not a whole lot more and elbow grease.
I find it fascinating all the press that these mini 3D printers get. Really all of these people should be getting a lathe and a mill first, then move onto the 3D printer for really exotic stuff.
After all, they made these without a DRO... or even a computer!