Thread: Omega Engineering in liquidation

Leady not sure if they are still being produced sydney

As far as I know Bruce Leadbetter is still doing them although he must be in his mid 80's or more.

I think the casting are done in Thailand and everything else is done in Sydney. He sells them out of his shed beside the house. Last time I spoke to him he mentioned moves about 30 a year and he frequents Oyster Bay turning club

Art Clubs in Sydney & New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Originally Posted by WOODbTURNER

And where do you think your Vicmarc bed castings are made? I was told by his son that they were cast in Asia but I stand corrected.

I did not state that the Vicmarc lathe was 100% Australian content what I tried to convey was that I try to do my best to keep worthwhile Australian and European companies going. Every dollar that goes on an Asian tool is a nail in the coffin for local industry.

We could learn a lot from the German business model as highlighted in an ABC FourCorners program: German consumers have realised that if they want their kids to have a job they must support local German industry. And they do because their products are also superior to cheaper Asian alternatives.

German manufacturing is also a supportive model where there is a recognition that overall industry success is founded on strong local business relationships and superior quality products that result from engineering excellence. And as the program highlighted, German companies avoid crippling bank loans like the plague. At a time when the US and most of Europe is in decline Germany is prospering....!

On the other hand many Australians are easily lured by cheap Asian "bargains" and generally don't care a toss where a product is made ..... As a consequence, our manufacturing sector is insidiously undermined by cheaper but often lower quality imports.

This is serious stuff as it gradually breaks down the fabric of our manufacturing capabilities. As a Nation we are becoming de-skilled which is a tragedy for Australia and in the future we will pay for the consequences: Relying on big holes in the ground for prosperity is not sustainable.

With little government incentive for manufacturing in Australia, I am not surprised that my Vicmarc lathe bed casting is not made here.

We should all be thankful that despite adversity Vicmarc is still in business, employing Australians and producing a very high standard product that is well regarded all over the world.

Having a population about 4x that of Oz doesn't go astray either, add to that the whole European market on their doorstep and they have economy of scale on their side.

Having a skilled workforce in a country that values tradespeople, unlike here, also helps.

German unions are generally not craft based but industry based and have a long history of working with their employer, not against them like happens here in Oz which has inherited the English union model based on crafts resulting in employers having to deal with any number of unions within a given industry.

I could go on, suffice to say there are some major differences between how things are done in Germany and here.

Compare the TOTAL cost of any other lathe with the same or comparable capacity to an ALL AUSTRALIAN OWNED & MANUFACTURED STUBBY LATHE - remember to include in the costing that it's your kids - grand kids - pensions - investments (if they are held in Australia) that need to be supported by all forms of local manufacturing /industry. Even without those considerations you will proberly be surprised at the minimal difference in prices. The problems that are being speculated on by some regarding Omega stem from a desire by the company to support Australian skills, workers & investment rather than just increasing profit at any cost unlike other manufactures, maybe this IS something that needs to be addressed. Perhaps we should all consider moving our younger family members to another part of the world where they can work in conditions (inc wages) that no older Australian worker would happily accept during their working life. Remember the flow on effects of these business practices effect everyone - manufacturing, sales, banking, retail, building, customer service - the list goes on. Everyone needs to get off their bums and support 100per cent Australian made before everything's truly stuffed. I'm proberly going to offend the older guys but your futures were relatively secure due to Gov policy at the time, now some of you are the guy's putting our futures at risk with your $$. p.s - a very substantial amount of TAXPAYER MONEY in the form of a very large Gov grant was given to one of the main players in the lathe manufacturing business - this same player does not support the Australian foundries from which he previously relied on. Anyway that's my rant...take it as you will.

For what it's worth.

I have owned a S1000 for nearly 12 months. Was going to buy a Stubby at the last lathe purchase years ago but it was a "step to far". So i got what I considered the next best thing. Worked great until I got sick of swinging the head around for large bowls and clocks. I turn items for galleries and the tourist market, big bowls, small bowls, clocks, pens, burl, banksia, timber, whatever I get paid for.

My recommendation is if you can afford a Stubby buy one. They are a dream, well, I think the S1000 is.

After posting questions on this forum I decided that the S1000 really suited the turning I do.

Big outlay, if you are serious about your turning and can afford one, get one.

Hate to think of the hours I have spent in front or behind or under a lathe over the last 20 years. But I can honestly say that the last 12 months have been the easiest I have experienced.

Can't speak of back-up cause I haven't needed it.

If I wanted to be really picky a few things are "backward" to my old lathe. You know "wind the handle the wrong way". Maybe the Stubby is right and my old lathe is wrong.

Oh, if you buy one, put a BBQ and a carton or 2 on when you want to get it into your shed.

Regards

Brett