Good morning - in response to you question about tampers, I also needed 
some several years ago and could not find them.  As you said, Sakura knows 
nothing about them.  However, a seasoned Tissue-Tek representative told me 
she would call Tissue-Tek (through Miles) and she found the part and I was 
able to purchase several.  You might try Miles, they still makes some stuff 
for the tissue line, although it's not generally known.  Hope this helps.

Cheryl Crowder
Chief Technologist
Department of Veterinary Pathology
School of Veterinary Medicine
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA  70803