Amazon.com has a surprisingly good selection of metal lathes for sale. The vast majority of them are bench lathes and mini lathes aimed at the home machinist or hobbyist. They are very affordable and well worth a look. If anything here catches your interest, just click on the links for more information:

PSI LCENTLT2 No. 2MT Heavy Duty Live Lathe Center PSI LCENTLT2 No. 2MT Heavy Duty Live Lathe Center
List Price: $19.95
Sale Price: $14.39

Heavy duty #2MT live tailstock center with a 60 degree point, and ball bearing precisionLarge live lathe center60-degree pointBall bearing precision; turns smoothlyHuge live center for heavy duty workpieces5...

Woodstock D4090 Metal Lathe Tool Kit, 20-Piece Woodstock D4090 Metal Lathe Tool Kit, 20-Piece
List Price: $94.90
Sale Price: $62.32

SHOP FOX W1704 1/3-Horsepower Benchtop Lathe SHOP FOX W1704 1/3-Horsepower Benchtop Lathe
List Price: $209.00
Sale Price: $173.80

Grizzly G8688 7 Grizzly G8688 7" x 12" Mini Metal Lathe
List Price: $575.00
Sale Price: $595.00

Powered by a 3/4 H.P. motor, this lathe also features: variable speeds (0-2500 RPM), inch and metric reading dials, turret tool post, chip tray & splash guard. Features: ? Variable Speed ? 16 TPI Reversible Leadscrew ? Forward and reverse in all speeds ? Chip Tray & Backsplash Guard ? Threading Dial Indicator ? Standard & Metric Graduation Specifications: ? Swing over bed: 7" ? Distance between centers: 12" ? Spindle bore: 20mm ? Spindle nose taper: MT #3 ? Tailstock taper: MT #2 ? Tailstock travel: 2-1/2" ? Cross-slide travel: 2-3/4" ? Maximum tool bit size: 5/16" ? Speed range: Low Range: 0-1100 RPM, High Range: 0-2500 RPM ? Range of threads: 12-52 TPI ? Motor: 3/4 HP, 110V ? Number of thread pitches: 18 inch & 10 metric ? Net weight: 74 lbs...

JET JML 1014VSI 10-Inch-by-14-Inch Variable Speed Indexing Mini Lathe JET JML 1014VSI 10-Inch-by-14-Inch Variable Speed Indexing Mini Lathe
List Price: $642.00
Sale Price: $529.99

Offering the same innovative features as the JML-1014I Mini Lathe, but with the addition of variable speed ranges of 500 to 3900 RPM, arbor locks, and indexing options, the JET JML-1014VSI 10 x 14-Inch Variable Speed Indexing Mini Lathe is a powerful workhorse that gives you complete control over any project you can dream up...

Grizzly G0602 10 Grizzly G0602 10" x 22" Bench Top Metal Lathe
List Price: $1,195.00
Sale Price: $1,195.00

Shop Fox M1015 6-Inch by 10-Inch Micro Lathe Shop Fox M1015 6-Inch by 10-Inch Micro Lathe
List Price: $605.00
Sale Price: $556.00

This Model M1015 Mini-Lathe is a perfect lathe for someone who wants a durable and well-designed machine that can fit in a small location. This Mini-Lathe gives model makers, toolmakers, gun hobbyists, and the weekend machinist a way to economically produce small precision parts, threaded parts, fittings, and dies.

4 4" Cross Slide Drill Press Vise Metal Milling Machine
List Price: $68.99
Sale Price: $39.99

A fully adjustable heavy duty 4" Cross Slide Vise. Turn your drill press into a milling machine. Our cross slide drill press vise features: Heavy duty construction, Jaw width: 4", Maximum jaw opening: 3 1/2", Vise travel: 5 1/2", Vise and cross slide have adjustable shims for fine adjustment, Base size: 9" x 5", Overall unit size 11" x 11" x 6 1/4", Precision threaded clamping and cross slide screws, Cross slides have removable adjusting crank handles

RIKON 70-100 12-by-16-Inch Mini Lathe RIKON 70-100 12-by-16-Inch Mini Lathe
Sale Price: $398.35

With its increased capacity, the RIKON 70-100 12-by-16-Inch Mini Lathe gives you the opportunity to do more with less space. This powerful, smooth-running lathe offers unique features like a 12-position index head for accurate pattern work, easy access for quick speed changes, a convenient tool holder, and the ability to add multiple extensions...

7x12 Precision Mini Variable Metal Lathe 2500RPM 400W 7x12 Precision Mini Variable Metal Lathe 2500RPM 400W
Sale Price: $520.00

Other features include: -Spindle Bore: 0.79" or 20mm.~ -Cross Side Travel: 2.56" or 65mm.~ -Top Side Travel: 1.38" or 35mm.~ -Range Of Imperial Threads: 12-52T.P.I.~ -Spindle Accuracy: 0.0004" or 0.01mm...