Does anyone know what's going on down under with Omega / Stubby and now Stutey?

[JeffSmith]

I've been interested in Stubby Lathes for years now - they're well designed and built by a family operation in Australia. I had been trying to chase one down before I bought my American Beauty and had subscribed to the user group (not very well participated in overall) to get a feel for what owners thought about their lathes (generally good and supportive membership). The family that operated Stubby/Omega changed leadership with the passing of their founder, but appeared to be well run by the son who has continued with Omege engineering.

Every now and again I'd see a little traffic from the user group, but not often. It just kept reminding me that this is a uniquely designed and well built lathe that still has a base of happy users. Without a US distributer, it seems that marketing to the us market has all but ceased over the years.

Recently I learned of a company called Stute that is offering the Stutey Lathe which appears to be a direct knock off of the Stubby. Trying to delve into both websites doesn't reveal what is going on here. Anyone have an inkling on the situation?

 

[hughie]

By the look of it , it has changed hands, I have heard rumours but nothing definite. It seems it moved back to Victoria

Stute Wood Lathes

 

[David Shumaker]

A gentleman by the name of Pedro Castaneda was listed as the US distributor for Stubby lathes. I believe he is affiliated with Stutey Lathe as well. I am also a member of the user group and owner of a Stubby 1000. You are correct in very little activity on the group. That being said it appears most everyone is happy with their lathe. My lathe was purchased used and in rough cosmetic condition. Getting parts was a bit of a difficulty but I understand that parts are available through Stutey. Thats as much as I know.

 

[hughie]

https://www.stutewoodlathes.com.au/

and

Greg Stute

I like wood turning using the Stutey 3040 Lathe. Finding and turning mistletoe is my speciality.

www.youtube.com

 

[John Grace]

I've been interested in Stubby Lathes for years now - they're well designed and built by a family operation in Australia. I had been trying to chase one down before I bought my American Beauty and had subscribed to the user group (not very well participated in overall) to get a feel for what owners thought about their lathes (generally good and supportive membership). The family that operated Stubby/Omega changed leadership with the passing of their founder, but appeared to be well run by the son who has continued with Omege engineering.

Every now and again I'd see a little traffic from the user group, but not often. It just kept reminding me that this is a uniquely designed and well built lathe that still has a base of happy users. Without a US distributer, it seems that marketing to the us market has all but ceased over the years.

Recently I learned of a company called Stute that is offering the Stutey Lathe which appears to be a direct knock off of the Stubby. Trying to delve into both websites doesn't reveal what is going on here. Anyone have an inkling on the situation?

If you're still interested check out the 'for sale' forum. I was searching FB market place the other day and came across two Stubby's for sale with one in Washington St and the other in Idaho. I have no affiliation with the seller but I like to forward ads that may be of interest to the community. Cheers...j

 

[JeffSmith]

Thanks John - I'm very happy with my American Beauty, so not in the market for an additional lathe. My interest is purely academic. I've always been interested in the Stubby - had a bit of time on one when I was doing my research on my 'last lathe' 15 years ago. I admire the engineering and some of the features these fine lathes brought to the market early on. I've been on the User's Group for many years and impressed with the way owners support each other. I was surprised to see the original family that designed and built these lathes has (evidently) transferred the company into new hands. Hoping they'll continue developing and supporting these fine pieces of equipment.