ATM and lathes

["Tom and Beth Simmons" <tomandbeth@theriver.com>]

  This list has discussed several times that some wood tools (saws, routers)
could be used for Aluminum cutting. Could someone expound on why a wood
lathe could or could not be used for the generally small aluminum items
normally turned into telescope parts, for example, a crayford focuser,
knobs, truss tube ends? For the sake of this conversation, let's say the
largest Aluminum part would be cut from a 4 by 4 inch block.  I've seen a 12
x 36 inch lathe at Home Depot for about $350.00. I believe that someone here
said that this is obviously a wood lathe (based on cost??). If this is
possible, would the table need to be re-inforced? Should I buy tools
designed more for the "beefy" metal working lathe?

  If this is a really stupid question...I'd rather that than a stupid
mistake. I'm kinda "attached" to my fingers.