Just becarefull my friend. There is a pic. of this dude that got wrapped up in a metal lathe in Australia that got passed down and brother it isnt pretty. Dont ever wear anything that will grab, like long sleeve shirts, long hair,gloves, ect.
Like Gabby said turning is alot more dangerous. A lathe and a drill press will mess your world up in a second.
Do they have a Woodcraft store in your area? They give alot of lathe demo's in the Lexington, Ky. store, and it's about 45 mins away, but with me and lathes, LOL!! I usally on a metal lathe everynight. But lets get back to the new generation of wood lathes..
I seen the nova chucks for bowl turning, and man,, thats the cats meow to me when you can chuck up a piece of wood without doing the old school way.. Looks alot safe in turnin between centers too and not worryin in a piece will fly off and smack ya between the eyes..
Have fun but please be safe....