Thread: I see we have a new gouge maker from Melbourne

Originally Posted by hughie

Speedex out of Melbourne tool prices look good, have just sent an email to them to find what steel they are using.


check them out here

Woodturning Tools

Maybe slowly we’re heading back too being a capable country, with its own home grown manufacturing [emoji120][emoji120].

Cheers Matt.

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Maybe slowly we’re heading back too being a capable country, with its own home grown manufacturing [emoji120][emoji120].

Cheers Matt.

I wish it were so , Matt.
It’s shameful what they have done to this once great country.

Originally Posted by Ironwood

I wish it were so , Matt.
It’s shameful what they have done to this once great country.

It can be undone,(An agree it was disgusting, but profit was the only thing they worshipped)hopefully we haven’t lost all the knowledge, an also hope we start too believe in ourselves,

Cheers Matt.

Originally Posted by Simplicity

It can be undone,(An agree it was disgusting, but profit was the only thing they worshipped)hopefully we haven’t lost all the knowledge, an also hope we start too believe in ourselves,

Cheers Matt.

I certainly hope you’re right Matt. We are still capable of doing it, but once the skilled workers move on to other things , and the workshops are dismantled, it get harder as time goes on.

a weird mix of product there!

Am I missing something. Are these manufactured in Australia? I know they say ‘we manufacture our own’ but failing to go that extra step of ‘here in australia’ makes me assume made overseas.

I was disappointed to learn that do not make "Heart Lung Machines" (Heart Lung Machine) between making woodturning tools. I can continue to hope...

Originally Posted by Arron

Am I missing something. Are these manufactured in Australia? I know they say ‘we manufacture our own’ but failing to go that extra step of ‘here in australia’ makes me assume made overseas.

My impression also - cleverly worded to give a false / misleading impression perhaps??? Preying on customers prepared to give them the benefit of doubt until proven otherwise.

Two points here

We are responsible for the demise of manufacturing here in Australia with the expectation of high wages, low productivity and our desire for a bargain, we bought from overseas.

Secondly,
I had a look at the tools. There are clues in the wording which indicate to me that the tools are NOT made in Australia, as they don't actually state that fact. The description does not state what the tool handles timber species is. If I manufacturered them here in Australia, I would made a huge point of the timber type, eg These handles are made from Australias toughest timbers blah blah
Also, look at the range of services and tools, its huge. I think they may be an engineering company and also an importer
My two cents
Willy

Originally Posted by Willy Nelson

Two points here

We are responsible for the demise of manufacturing here in Australia with the expectation of high wages, low productivity and our desire for a bargain, we bought from overseas.

Secondly,
I had a look at the tools. There are clues in the wording which indicate to me that the tools are NOT made in Australia, as they don't actually state that fact. The description does not state what the tool handles timber species is. If I manufacturered them here in Australia, I would made a huge point of the timber type, eg These handles are made from Australias toughest timbers blah blah
Also, look at the range of services and tools, its huge. I think they may be an engineering company and also an importer
My two cents
Willy

As a collective "we" that is true and holds across all industries, small manufacturing, food, ..... only ones really exempt are "services" industries ... but even those suppliers are looking to import labour.

The regional politics, and the globalization of economies, manufacturing, research, development .... makes it easier for our multi-nationals to "off-shore" significant and core business skills / product lines etc. Sutton is a prime example of this - should we applaud them for surviving in a very competitive global economy? or lament the loss of Australian manufacturing? Yes & Yes imho.

As regional politics change, and the massive supply chain disruptions experienced through COVID have highlighted how "exposed" many countries are. We are rightfully now questioning the economic, political, public health, supply chain logistics and national security implications of a "global supply chain."

Sadly, it will take a long time to rebuild. As "core industries" such as vehicle manufacturing left our shores the major suppliers to them were forced to radically downsize or perhaps to also disappear. That left the other smaller manufacturing industries who virtually rode on their coat tails with no access to specific skills - e.g. large scale foundries. It's then a domino effect as the economies of scale, customer base etc shrink, and the cycle spirals onwards.

I strongly suspect you'll find that this latest offering is along the lines of Melbourne Tool Company planes, i.e. go to considerable lengths to try and appear "Aussie made" without explicitly claiming such, but tools are actually imported (from China in the case of MPC).