What Would You Buy "Made/Manufactured in Australia" ?

L100000000A0000000001 on 16/06/2017 - 02:13

Hi OzBargain Kingdom!

I have an Australian Dream of building things just like the old days, right here on the continent with sweat and tears(probably a lot of tears).

No huge factory, Small but power-full manufacturing.

My dream is build products with sustainable materials. Preferably, Wood and Metal.

I have a motto of manufacturing things which will last,not get obsolete,will not break easily…

Rules:

  • No electronics. (At least, in the beginning… )
  • No toxic junk.
  • Things which will last.
  • No plastics (yes,no plastics.).

Things like Desks, Chairs, Tables, Toys etc are all welcome.

Example :
-Can cast and manufacture brass-bronze-aluminium door knobs or valves handles.

What would you buy if you'd know that it is Made in Australia?

Thanks a lot And A Big Warm Welcome to All Again! (:

General Discussion

Comments

  • AlienC on 16/06/2017 - 15:37
    -2

    What kind of questions is this seriously ..

  • askme69 on 16/06/2017 - 21:16
    +1

    I try and buy Australian first and then UK, followed by USA and Commonwealth countries before China etc.

    • mskeggs on 16/06/2017 - 21:50
      +3

      I guess these days any manufacturers left must be making reasonable quality, but 20 years ago buying British or Commonwealth was a recipe for over-priced and out of date with questionable quality.
      I disparaged cheap Chinese stuff up thread, but good quality Chinese products are up with the best in the world, and there is no reason to avoid them just because of nationality.

  • Kranbone on 16/06/2017 - 21:45
    +1

    I like to buy locally grown produce (specifically fruit and vegetable). I'm unsure of furniture but if it represented good value and quality I'd be keen. I can't see myself buying the same item more than once though (it's not like fruit lol).

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 16/06/2017 - 21:51

      I agree and believe buying locally grown stuff is the only way to keep Aussie farms and economy happy.And how much would you prefer to pay to a good hardwood-table/chair for example?

      • Kranbone on 16/06/2017 - 22:11

        I'm not sure, not the best taste in fashion and style. I'm more of the "I want something inoffensive but extremely practical and long-lasting".

      • cwongtech on 16/06/2017 - 23:08

        And how much would you prefer to pay to a good hardwood-table/chair for example?

        My parents really like their wooden chairs because they say it's high quality, because you can't get them anymore.
        One of the legs broke and we can't find any places to make a new leg for it, although with a lathe and a few measurements it shouldn't be too difficult.

        Personally I find the wooden chairs uncomfortable, but each to their own.
        In light of this experience. I'd say make things high quality and modular (so you can replace parts yourself or easily by the consumer, but don't sell the parts alongside the product otherwise it will look like as if it's expected to break)
        Sort of like higher quality ikea-style furniture.

        However while your materials may be better than ikea, you still face the challenge of high labour costs (if you can get precise machinery then technically most of your costs are then maintenance and power costs)

        Food for thought.
        It's good you're asking for feedback and not arguing against anyone's advice.
        I wish you luck!

        • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 05:00
          +1

          I'm aiming my company with multiple branches. Imagine a small shop,which manufactures things and in the same time repairs things, at least that is how it was before the massive consumerism took the world. If i can't sell products,i will do other bits and pieces to keep the company alive. I'd be happy to duplicate it for a really affordable price but sadly,i still got a lot of phases to finish which was totally not under my control(like flooding of my shop before even things started). I noted higher quality ikea-style furniture as well. Definitely not chipboard-mdf or cheapo formaldehyde-glue based thingies.

          Labour costs is nothing as it will be family operated business. Most of the work, i will do it solo and happy to work extra hours and long nights to satisfy customers with affordable but long lasting products which will last,that is my dream. Some of my friends were suggesting to target over mid-class range and expensive products for better profit,so far,i haven't finalised the product list.Once it is finished, i will manufacture some trial products and market them and continue from that point but i still prefer to keep an open market for everyone's budget. Thanks.

      • taoz on 16/06/2017 - 23:10

        1k probably, but im sure people will pay more, you just wont sell as many

        • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 05:03

          Noted.Thanks. I'll try to lower it to around 800ish but time and all total costs will tell how it will form. Maybe 800-1000-1200 3 different types,3 different editions.

  • altomic on 16/06/2017 - 22:58
    +1

    Bikies

  • tryagain on 17/06/2017 - 00:38
    +3

    If you are relying on being made in Australia as a major selling point I think you are going to be disappointed. As others have said, just about anything manufactured here is going to be expensive compared to say China, unless you are happy to work for a few $/hr.

    People will pay more for items but they need to be unique, have a great form factor and be made to a very high standard, if it's not, just being made in Australia will account for very little.

    I think the most important element out of all these is the form factor, that's why asking how much people would pay for whatever is a bit flawed as we have no idea what the form factor would be, also, your target market wouldn't be the bulk of people on ozbargain, you will want people who are happy to pay top dollar for items. You will really need to be more of an artisan that just have the ability to make things to get a unique product with a great form factor, also ideally think outside the box, there are probably countless people making tables and chairs, you really want to try and carve out a niche for yourself.

    Someone from a different forum made some fire pits out of scrap on the side, not your little bunnings type ones but big one's here is one and another which he easily got 2K for. I think that is the sort of thing you want to be aiming for, what I would probably term functional art, that isn't really available elsewhere.

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 05:10

      Brilliant. Thanks for the opinion as well as Fire Pit idea, i have seem them in Bunnings and they were charging rusty ones a fortune. Log Holders were another idea i thought of. There are now even Gabion-wall heating(and cooking) fire places for outdoors which was great idea but still over priced. "isn't really available elsewhere" is a great motto.

      • tryagain on 21/06/2017 - 17:01

        Here is some furniture, it will give you an idea of what I think would be a good kind of design and what sort of prices are probably likely https://savoytruffle.com.au/

  • aussieprepper on 17/06/2017 - 05:03

    Wood! What are we cave men? Still living in the stone age? List of items to buy
    Lathe
    Welder
    Cut-off saw
    Angle grinder
    If you can afford it CNC machine

    Imagine making a metal bed frame out of stainless steel it would never break lol

    I am learning to weld now I am going to make my gf a bed frame. Make my self some shelves and benches.

    • D C on 17/06/2017 - 17:58

      You start with the CNC if you want to make any money.

      • aussieprepper on 17/06/2017 - 20:16

        Issue is CNC can not do every thing you need. So the lathe is very handy.

        • D C on 17/06/2017 - 22:56

          You know about CNC lathes, right? Or even copy lathes?

          Get the CNC to do 95% of the job, and then finish it off on the manual lathe. Or change the design. Then of course the CNC can do things that just aren't possible on a manual machine (eg spirals).

          All manual is fine if you can command a high price, but getting to that point will take years.

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 05:19

      You missed reading "Metal" part i assume? (: Well, i don't think anyone here will buy 10K worth bed frame made out of 316SS(stainless steel) For best Stainless steel you will need a lot of experience with the TIG welding(or MIG) and a lot of Argon gas as well as Pickling Paste(Unless you are happy with spots). Careful with TIG tungsten rod grinding and don't grind them without a dust extractor(i wouldn't).

      Good luck with the build and learning experience send some pictures when finished,i believe you will have a lot of fun. Just be careful while trying to make the framing you might end up selling your kidney,half of lungs and a soul to pay the manufacturing fees. :)

      • aussieprepper on 19/06/2017 - 06:18

        Hahahah 110% but in my younger days i blew lots of money on sillier things lol.

        I wont make the bed frame from stainless i will use mild steel i was just giving OP an idea. How wonderful would it be to have a bed frame that never breaks. 316 Stainless is marine grade so its overkill for a bed frame would probably chose 304 if i went SS.

        I am not a fan of woodwork i cant seem to do it? I have a weird liking for metalwork.

  • ahly92 on 17/06/2017 - 07:16
    +1

    I only buy Russian.

    • gimli on 17/06/2017 - 11:25

      trump?

      • waps on 18/06/2017 - 20:45

        Clinton.

        I mean, please.

  • centrelink on 17/06/2017 - 11:38

    Alot of Australians get an orgasm when you put "made in Australia" so that's what I put on our products. It works well

    • luffyex2010 on 17/06/2017 - 12:08

      What products do you sell?

      My brain can only relate made in australia and orgasm for australian pharmaceutical stimulation drug, australian made models like jessica gomes, australian made actress, ….and etc.

      • Hamlet on 17/06/2017 - 18:00
        +1

        Jessica Gomes isn't popular because she's "Australian-made" but because men are simple creatures :)

  • DiscoJango on 17/06/2017 - 12:39

    are you looking for regular consumer buyers or commercial. unfortunately, most people vote with their wallet and buy the cheapest "door handle" regardless of where or how or what it was made from.

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 05:22

      More likely it fits between the custom and regular ones i think. As user Tryagain stated up there "isn't really available elsewhere" is another definition.

  • Hirolol on 17/06/2017 - 13:23
    +2

    Well, it's good to see something like this going on.
    The old saying goes, they don't make it like they used to.
    Our old microwave just died and we had it for about 30years.

    Its a good idea as long as you stick to it.
    All companies are interested in is making the most amount of money possible and not really worry about the quality of the product.
    I think it's pretty common knowledge that most things are made not to last which is ok if you A- don't give a shit about the environemnt and B- you are the one making money off it.

    • D C on 17/06/2017 - 22:59
      +1

      Microwave ovens are such simple devices that nothing really goes wrong with them.

      Often it's just the MOVs fail and that takes out the fuse, costs a couple of dollars to do a simple fix. That's probably what happen to your machine.

      The newer inverter ones won't last as long though.

      • Hirolol on 18/06/2017 - 12:47

        Really?
        It smelt like burnt rubber.
        I thought you shouldn't open microwaves?

        • D C on 20/06/2017 - 19:01

          The burnt rubber smell might indicate an actual fault, like the transformer burning out.

          I pick up microwave ovens when I see them dumped, they have lots of useful parts inside. Fewer these days as the scrappers have learned there's a lot of copper in the transformers, so they smash them open to get that. Like they used to do with old TVs.

          Anyway, most of them worked, people just dump them because they're old or minor damage like the door button is cracked. Of the ones that didn't work maybe 90% had a dead fuse. The doors are booby trapped so if you interfere with the locks it blows the fuse, sometimes opening the door while it's running causes the fuse to blow. Or as before the MOVs on the filter die and take out the fuse.

          They're considered dangerous because they're a high voltage, high energy device. Old CRT TVs were high voltage but low energy, you'd get shock but be ok. A microwave will kill you without any second chance. Safe if you know where not to stick your fingers.

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 05:31

      Thanks for the beautiful comment. It is indeed like that. The company i used to work for made a customer come and go 4-5 times for a single design refinement.They made 4-5 useless changes just to milk more money from the client whereas it could've been done in the first time correctly,i quit the following month. Indeed this is how the design industry is going now, cheapo and toxic stuff(research "greenwashing") hitting to market with lack of quality ending up in the trash bins before they can even complete a full year of use. We are also rushing ourselves into extinction by producing low-quality products which will cause depletion of resources,sad but true fact.

  • peterw1 on 17/06/2017 - 13:45

    Furniture is the main one.
    One of the few good things about HN is that they do try to stock Australian made. Have got some lanfranco sofas and am looking at garstone. It costs a bit more, but quality and durability is there so I think it's worth it. Even fantastic furniture is well priced and durable and made in oz.

  • newbie12345 on 17/06/2017 - 13:48
    +2

    Aussie made Hills Hoist, old fashion simple but effective grunt lawnmowers. I want them back.

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 05:37

      Do they not manufacture/sell them anymore,i thought they were still on?

      • PAPower on 19/06/2017 - 15:43

        still on but Hills is a dead business now…

    • boomramada on 20/06/2017 - 16:25

      Aussie made Hills Hoist are so 70's
      I don't think most new age aussies has big enough back yard to put a Hills Hoist :)

  • Oofy Doofy on 17/06/2017 - 15:17

    I would say, anything that could be made using machines (mostly), with recycled materials.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/06/2017 - 16:32
    +4

    These are the things I buy that are Made in Australia.

    Ugg boots
    Leather jackets
    Organic/natural cosmetics (makeup, makeup removal, cologne, perfume, nail polish, eye liner, lipstick, moisturizer particularly lanolin cream, shower gel, soap, face masks, bath salts, hair gel, hair mousse, hair wax, hair dye and bleach, hair extensions, shampoo, conditioner, etc)
    Toothpaste
    Mouthwash
    Wool rugs, blankets, quilts
    Clothes
    Crockery and utensils (pots, pans, plates, bowls, cups, glasses, silverware, tablecloths, beverage coasters, etc)
    Vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, K, grapseed extract, zinc, magnesium, celery seed extract, fish oil, cranberry capsules, etc)
    Milk Powders
    Pillows and cases
    Bed sheets
    Couch covers
    Medicine (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, neck pain gel, microwavable sandbags etc)
    Just about anything that's made in Australia small enough to be put into a cardboard box and not flammable.

    My customers from China order a lot of these products and it must be made in Australia, New Zealand, USA, France, or Germany.

    As for tables and chairs those products are usually too big to send back.

    You may be asking why don't they just get these products in China. To put it simply it's actually cheaper to get it from me and pay for the shipping costs then to buy it from an authentic foreign shop in China and also people are still sceptical to believe the products are actually made in a western country.

    • thecanvasartfactory on 17/06/2017 - 20:47
      +1

      Do your customer interested in Canvas Artwork made in Australia? :)

      • [Deactivated] on 22/06/2017 - 13:13

        No, sorry.

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 05:44

      A big out of my league list but thanks for sharing.Wood rugs or Wool based thingies might be good to support the rural wool-industry and economy as well.

  • MessyG on 17/06/2017 - 18:20

    I would buy clothes! Australian wool is amazing but it gets sent to China to be made into fabric and clothes and then back again and as a result wool clothing costs so much more than it should. The US has a really good store called Everlane which has cut the cost of good quality clothes by doing it all themselves and still use good fabrics. I would also purchase electronics because I'd feel safer about the standards.

    • waps on 18/06/2017 - 20:47

      That's the hope with flexible automation. That robots can bring back smaller scale manufacturing by saving on transport.

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 05:45

      Any chance of Leather belts/wallets?

      • BartholemewH on 21/06/2017 - 09:59

        These are already available in the market. My wallet is from Aussie Bush Leather. They have a store front in Tamworth NSW.

  • lonix on 17/06/2017 - 19:43
    -1

    I would buy a Holden if they were still made here.

  • thecanvasartfactory on 17/06/2017 - 20:34
    +1

    This is a good discussion topic.

    As a canvas/wallpaper artwork manufacturer in Australia, we realy appreciate customer that choose to buy Australia made products.

    Cheers!

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 05:56

      Thanks a lot. Gave a quick look,nice site you have. Do you do custom sizes and are they waterproof? The Kiss from Gustav Klimt must a been in Traditional section too! (:

      • thecanvasartfactory on 21/06/2017 - 18:58

        Yes we do custom size, and yes its water proof.
        Don't soak it in washing machine though.
        :)

  • oaks101 on 17/06/2017 - 23:20

    Beer

    • PAPower on 20/06/2017 - 14:28

      pale ale or pils?

      • oaks101 on 22/06/2017 - 22:56

        IPA, Stouts, Porters you name it

  • cryinoutloud on 18/06/2017 - 09:41

    Titanium road bike frames. Curve frames are manufactured in China :-(

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 05:50

      Very good one. I toughed about it for long time. TIG welding TI requires fully purged Argon Cabinet as far as remember and it needs a lot of painful work(precision wise). Don't know if you watched it before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrSILJiEk7A in one of the episodes school kids made an amazing one(not from TI thou) and one of the female riders raced with it. How about Nice Case Hardened Multi tool set? (:

      • cryinoutloud on 19/06/2017 - 12:29

        Already have a Leatherman, sorry :(

        What about any other alloy bike frames?

        • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 19:04

          Can do Alu but they have very competitive prices which will be very hard to compete against sadly :( Pumps or accessories might be something maybe?

  • Shiny Mew on 18/06/2017 - 10:08

    An Australia equivalent to Tesla.

  • FatBlanket on 18/06/2017 - 10:38
    +1

    Made in Australia doesn't mean much to me so I wouldn't buy anything. Made in Japan and made in Germany still mean something but that's about it.

    • tonyjzx on 19/06/2017 - 11:14

      And thats where it matters. IMO "Australian Made" means you paid too much for something that could have been made cheaper elsewhere.

      Germany and Japan are in a different league. I'm not going to argue if they actually make a 'better' product, but rather they have spent decades cultivating the 'desire' that they have a desirable product.

      eg. I want a Swiss watch. I want a German car. I want a Japanese TV.

      Are they better than a Japanese watch? Or a Korean car? Or a Chinese TV?

      What does Australia stand for?

      Australian food is of a higher quality than other countries but as an Australian this is a high standard so we dont feel it.

      I wish Australia tried to promote some kind of industry but they didnt so here we are.

  • SilentBob on 18/06/2017 - 13:25

    You want people to tell you here what you should do to make money?

    …

    Sounds like you don't actually WANT to make something you just want people to tell you what to make so you can sell it and make money.

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 06:15
      -1

      Misinterpretation is acceptable but talking for one's name without knowing anything about him or her is not in the basket. With this kind of era and consumerism storming around, this kind of company plan i desire to follow is purely to save a sinking ship and i know that and taking the risks(meaning very low amount of profit). Like they say; "If a country's manufacturing dies,the country dies with it".

      I don't see any money making subject in my main topic but thanks for bringing it in,i explained it in some other posts as well. Even if i do make non-greedy-money(hopefully), it will improve the economy of the country that we live in and drop quality products which will not end up in the junk yard!

      I ask people what they'd prefer to buy manufactured locally out of wood and metal with some key points in it as i will follow them. If i'd manufacture something and none one would buy, it would not make any sense eh? For your information,it is Product Market Research not Targeted Profit. :)

  • belongsinforums on 18/06/2017 - 13:54

    My family windscreen stickers

  • AyjeofSpades on 18/06/2017 - 14:47
    +2

    Metal fire-pits / outdoor fireplaces / pizza ovens.

    • greatlamp on 18/06/2017 - 18:15

      Probably the best idea in the thread.

      Too much competition with cheap furniture

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 06:16

      Someone stated up in the topic as well. What type would you prefer,portable,lightweight,heavy? Any advises? Thanks.

      • AyjeofSpades on 19/06/2017 - 11:52
        +1

        Personal opinions below.

        Fire-pit:
        Creative design, doesn't need to be portable.
        Heavy enough that it's functional and won't warp / break.
        More of a novelty show-piece than a practical heater.

        Outdoor heaters:
        Portable, functional.
        Still kind of a novelty, because a gas heater would probably be more practical - wood fires are just fun.
        Shouldn't have any concerns about burning the area around it - fire is contained.

        Pizza ovens:
        I would love a nice big pizza oven, both as a show-piece and an entertainer.
        I picture a nice solid 'oven/heating' element in the centre, with a more decorative 'wood storage' areas on the side.

        I live in a townhouse, small yard, neighbours on all sides. I would love a bit of fire, but at the same time I don't want to melt my artificial grass or scorch anything. I'd need to be able to rest the oven against a render wall without consequence.

        • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 19:08

          Great.Thanks. All noted down. I can easily manufacture very sturdy fire-pits which will last long time. Shipping might a problem so i can sell them only local or deliver them to close-by areas.

  • Omitsukasa on 18/06/2017 - 16:09
    +1

    Furniture, but offer customisations to distinguish yourself from other furniture stores. Let customers choose the design, then let them state the exact size they want. They can select the wood used, the color, the finish, etc. Offer embellishment selections like adding small carvings here and there.

    • Innately Incognito on 18/06/2017 - 19:19

      Serves me right for not reading 2nd page of comments. Fml.

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 06:23

      Thanks.Customisation will be there surely.The only problem is price spikes when customisation is appears so it becomes very hard to target affordable pricing depending on the design/manufacturing methods and costs.

      • Omitsukasa on 20/06/2017 - 00:30

        Thinking like in dell's case, their laptops could be cheap. But customers can opt to upgrade graphics card, ram etc to their liking. I don't think price spikes is an issue since customers could see the price changes as they play with the options from the drop down menu. If they want cheap, they'll go for the bare bones offering.

        P.s. CHEAP Board Game tables are very sought after by boardgamers :)

  • Innately Incognito on 18/06/2017 - 19:19
    +1

    A little late to the party here. And I think furniture is quite an interesting one (as people have specified) but everyone here seems to suggest that it's about design and quality. While I do agree that design and quality are aspects you can compete on - the idea that these are unique to Australian-made doesn't make any sense to me, because the design can be copied and the quality improved (if the importer pays a premium).

    Personally, I'd be focused on customisability as the primary method of differentiation.

    If you're DIYing these things then your ability to customise to client specifications is key. If I'm going to manufacture and import 50 dining tables cost-effectively they're all going to be the same size, and anyone wanting something outside of that size is going to have to pick another dining table. Whereas, you have the ability to make it to whatever size they prefer (something I can't do as a furniture importer).

    Certain countries do hand-make things to spec (e.g. you can get solid wood tables custom made overseas and import them cheaper) but the downside to this is a large risk for the importer and a relatively long lead time (production AND shipping) so this probably gives you a potential edge.

    tl;dr: think it's smarter to compete on customisability than it is material quality or design, as the latter can still be done overseas.

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 19:15

      Customisation will be there surely. The only problem is the price spike as well as shifting the target market when customisation is at bay. Do you think following a suggestion like Target rich class and manufacture for that market with custom designs is a key-way? Thanks for the comment btw.

  • Big Bad Bagheera on 18/06/2017 - 21:47

    Quality leather goods is something I'm always happy to buy which are locally made.
    Shoes, wallets, belts etc.

    The popularity of RM William's shows there's an appetite for locally made quality shoes.
    They push the Made in Australia message her hard in their marketing and on the actual product it self (says so on the rear hoop)

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 06:35

      Thanks, Leather Wallets and Belts. Noted! Will need a lot of experience thou,leather work is hard. How much would you prefer to spend on them? Would you rather prefer simple no-markings-on type of anything specific in mind such as cowboy belts with lots of detailed work? 2nd one would be almost impossible to do for me due to lack of skills and expertise..

  • WaitAwhile on 18/06/2017 - 23:37

    Hills Hoist

  • frewer on 18/06/2017 - 23:46

    My wife want to get '95pc Wooden Train Set' and other toys for our little man. I will tell you how the quality is/are/, I already feel my pocket lighter.

    https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-wed-21-…

  • jerjergege on 19/06/2017 - 07:35

    Should pour molten metal over wood and make desks out of them.

    http://homeli.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Side-View-of-…

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 19:10

      Can do it easily but i believe it will be plagiarising.

  • Lancerx on 19/06/2017 - 10:33
    +1

    fresh produce ..definitely ONLY Aussie grown and made..

  • Ultraman on 19/06/2017 - 11:10

    Late to the party, but as a result have read both pages of comments & suggestions. I reckon aim to be niche first with the local ability to customise as Yoz suggests, with social media being your best buddy during the startup and initial reputation & capital building period. Once it is affordable* automate and take on the world. If Oz can become robotized keeping up or ahead, ideally with other countries, then our future looks pretty rosy to me… unfortunately, IMO Oz likes to be a follower and not a leader; we are well behind in many things. Dreams like yours however, could help change all of that.

    *and being able to afford it means looking at what point you can invest in expansion, not when you have 100% of what you need saved up! (which equals never or too late… lol)

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 19:27

      Just imagine Stradivarius violins… There were no machines that time.Hand made.No robots. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stradivarius )
      I respect your opinion but I'm totally against automation due to jobs/skills being lost. Still, i have automated machinery due to time is money but not to be that full-money-greedy. Rather than automating stuff,i'd prefer to hire and pay a good decent salary to a worker or contractor if i make more money. Or if i buy a cnc machine,i hire an operator rather than fully automated machine so there can be a work for a human being. The reason is, humans need jobs to live,machines do not have a family to feed. More like,old school 60`s(sort of) manufacturing with a better grade. No offence to people in the field but I believe we will see a lot of hardships due to automation&AI(insert terminator jingle here) in the future,here is a good explanation; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSKi8HfcxEk

  • Seraphin7 on 19/06/2017 - 11:49

    Anything that represents greater value that the equivalent products made anywhere else in the world!

  • Most Wanted on 19/06/2017 - 14:07

    You cannot beat Chinese Labor … you must buy a factory size 3D Printer to have any advantage

  • smartazz104 on 19/06/2017 - 14:09
    +1

    I have a motto of manufacturing things which will last,not get obsolete,will not break easily…

    How will you make money if things don't break /s

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 19:34
      +1

      Perfect comment. Exactly how it was before the Planned obsolescence and consumerism took the world into this endless catastrophy : By selling good products which will bring more people/customers buying quality. I'm totally against the planned obsolescence by the way..

  • Munki on 19/06/2017 - 14:32

    The only real thing I value that is "Made in Australia" nowadays, are consumables. For non-consumables, the cheaper alternative with acceptable quality will suffice.

    I have had an idea of clothing, but manufacturing clothes in Australia would probably be really expensive.

  • THICKnSLOW on 19/06/2017 - 15:05

    Wooden ashtray carved to the shape of me missus bum, rest me Winnie blues between her cheeks

  • JimB on 19/06/2017 - 15:07

    Custom or Boutique products.

    Otherwise beautiful timber products, tables etc using solid Australian hardwoods.

    If you're in Melbourne, can you make me a door?

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 19/06/2017 - 19:39

      What type of door you are after? I had couple ideas about doors, one of them was a very old ancient technique which involved no glue-no nails but it is very very hard and takes 6 months to complete a door but lasts centuries..
      Sadly,I'm not located in Melbourne but how about 20% of the total shipping i pay from my pocket,would you consider? (:

      • JimB on 20/06/2017 - 11:26

        Timber solid front door (2700H x 1200W) for my new house. Happy to wait 6 months and pay for shipping.

        The reason why I want a custom made door is because I'm demolishing my house and I wish to use the old hardwood joists (100x50 Vic Ash) to make a door for my new house. It will be the only thing linking the old house with the new and it's such as shame to throw away long pieces of Australian hardwoods or use them as firewood.

        Simple design, vertical timber design with one small vertical glass insert, say 150mm wide x 1500mm high. I couldn't find a photo online but this is close https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ballina/building-materials/f…

        I've contacted a couple of door manufacturers and they aren't interested in using my old hardwood joists. Understandable in case there are nails in the timber that will destroy their blades.

        But I'm interested in what you could do for me. The finish doesn't need to be perfectly smooth or use select grade timber. I prefer to use feature grade timber and see gum veins, insect trails etc, either filled with epoxy or black putty. I think you get the idea. Happy to use recycled timber but recycled timber cost more than the new stuff these days!

        • 100000000A0000000001 on 21/06/2017 - 04:18

          Very nice idea+design. Sadly,I'm still a light year away due to some unexpected things(like some serious damage to my shop before even i start) but i noted it down. If i had my shop running,i'd go around 200(or even 150) for design like that.For the hardwood, i have enough hard-wood to build a bridge to the moon and back,been storing for a long time from supplier. Once i am setup fully and running(a long&hard time ahead), i will contact you for any other designs you wish,will be late for the door but hopefully for future designs.. (:

        • JimB on 21/06/2017 - 10:34

          @100000000A0000000001:

          Realistically when can you make it?

          I'm happy to wait a year or so and use a temporary door in the meantime. I have a spare 2340x1200 wide door (and install a 350mm high board above the door) to use until the house is complete.

          'i'd go around 200(or even 150) for design like that'

          Do you mean $200?

          What hardwood do you have?

          The only reason I wish to use my old joists is I think it's a shame that it is just thrown away. It's been in the house for 40 years and will last at least another 100 years if not damp or eaten by termites.

        • tryagain on 22/06/2017 - 08:30

          @JB1: Maybe try your local men's shed, from what I have heard sometimes do other projects to earn some money for new equipment etc and some of the guys that go along would know their stuff, if the OP was thinking of changing $150-200 he really either doesn't value his time or the quality would not be there, at that price probably a combination of the both.

        • JimB on 22/06/2017 - 10:25

          @tryagain:

          Yeah I was thinking that $200 is way too cheap (and selling himself short) and would at least offer 3x that much + materials.

          Fantastic idea about the Men's shed.

  • sv123 on 20/06/2017 - 09:45

    You could manufacture 4wd accessories. Bullbars, winches, snorkels, roof racks, rock sliders, bash plates - list goes on. You'd be in a bit of competition with ARB, TJM and the likes, but perhaps do an investigation.

    • 100000000A0000000001 on 21/06/2017 - 04:21

      I have been thinking about this for sometime too. Bullbars are easy to manufacture but must be in AS.Standards. Snorkels:hard and plastics. Roof Racks and Bash plates are good ones.The easiest one i can manufacture with FEA and Structural Testing is Towbar Recovery Hitches. I'll manufacture some and see how it will go. Maybe you can be a beta tester for one?

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