Hi Ray, Derek is spot on.
I would agree, don't buy a cheap lathe or one that's too small unless you can afford to upgrade at a later date because it's almost certain that's what you'll want to do.
A cheap lathe is fine to learn on but I'd say only if it's that or nothing and is most likely to be a source of frustration whereas better quality and more standard size will give you a lot of pleasure and encourage you to improve. It will actually be easier as will run more true and smooth than a cheap Chiwanese. Same goes for chucks, accessories and tools.
That said, my own experience started at the age of about 12 when I spent my paper round / pocket money / savings on a B&D drill powered lathe which fuelled my enthusiasm although it was pretty poor. I converted it with an old motor and plumber bearings which was better and much later found an old Tyme cub then a Coronet elf.
Many many years with no lathe or time for turning, I like you decided I'd like to turn pens and bought a little Jet 1014 and it is pretty good but within 6 months I knew that I wanted something with a little more capacity and had to have variable speed so I bought an Axminster 1416 vs which I am very happy with. Of course sods law means that the spindle threads are different and I'm never entirely happy using a converter so chucks are duplicated. I'm lucky enough that I can keep both and I use the Jet for drilling, polishing and other work but my point is that buying a bit larger and better quality is in the long run the cheapest option.
Second hand is definitely the way to go if you can wait, not an easy thing to do when the juices are flowing, :wink:but you're likely to pick up a package including accessories and tools along with it. Due diligence of course is necessary before handing over your hard earned and remember to factor in some kind of h/d bench to mount the machine on.
Like everything else of course we all have different opinions, this is just mine and there is no doubt there are many turners out there happily producing decent work on cheap or basic machines, if that's all you can get to start you off then go for it, turning is mostly theraputic sometimes frustrating and very occasionally dangerous so don't forget the safety glasses or preferably face mask, they're cheap.
CC