Hey guys

Brand new to this line of hobby, but in my dayjob i do alot of prototype design in 3d.

I have a small workshop, but ive always been wanting a metal lathe, and get started in that area.

Can anyone here perhaps help me answer the following question:

What is the smallest type of metal lathe, i could get away with buying, where i could ( if skills are good enough ) get away with making my own custom hilts from a-z?

Ive been seeing alot of lathes, but since im so new to it, i dont know if theres a minimum requirement that has to be fullfilled, or say if not all metal lathes can do aluminium ( or if thats easier than steel ? ) - what about lenght of material etc.

Also, and im assuming they all can do this, being able to make screw threads is a must; is this a super hard skill to master, or something thats trivial to do on any lathe?

Any advice would be very much appreciated