Using a Lathe

[PJ-27]

A neighbour of mine has a large lathe that I'm sure I could sweet talk into letting me use. That's all very nice but I haven't the foggiest how to use it, or how it would be helpful! Also asking him to teach me would be taking the biscuit.
Currently my engineering skills go as far as using a hammer and hacksaw, oh and sometimes a pillar drill if I feel like being 'precise'....

So how does someone like me go about utilising access to this tool? What can I do with it that's useful for combat robots, and how do I go about doing it? Remember I'm trying to make a 4-Bar flipper/lifter at the moment.

Cheers!