First off, decide what you want to do with the lathe. If you intend to machine large parts, a large lathe will be needed. If you want to just do a little hobby machining in soft metals a little one will suffice.
Larger lathes will be able to handle deeper cuts in harder material because they are more mass and stiffer. Usually they have larger motors to handle the deeper cuts.
Don't be swayed by people who tell you that you have to have a massive lathe. You are a beginner. When you got your first pair of shoes you didn't get the $200 boots most likely as you didn't need them but as you grew into what you are now you replaced those first shoes. You can do that with a lathe too. You may pay more that way. Consider that as the tuition payment.
I have a 10X24 lathe in my garage and can make some impressive parts with that but I also bought a Harbor Freight 7X14 to be a hobby lathe. As I use it I learn techniques that transfer to the larger lathe which improves my use of that. With the cheap little lathe, the tool sharpness is critical. I can keep my parts that I make with that within .001 inches, close enough for my intents but I need a really sharp too for that.
Larger lathes will be able to handle deeper cuts in harder material because they are more mass and stiffer. Usually they have larger motors to handle the deeper cuts.
Don't be swayed by people who tell you that you have to have a massive lathe. You are a beginner. When you got your first pair of shoes you didn't get the $200 boots most likely as you didn't need them but as you grew into what you are now you replaced those first shoes. You can do that with a lathe too. You may pay more that way. Consider that as the tuition payment.
I have a 10X24 lathe in my garage and can make some impressive parts with that but I also bought a Harbor Freight 7X14 to be a hobby lathe. As I use it I learn techniques that transfer to the larger lathe which improves my use of that. With the cheap little lathe, the tool sharpness is critical. I can keep my parts that I make with that within .001 inches, close enough for my intents but I need a really sharp too for that.