For those interested, New Zealand-based “Mr Grit” has just started to import for sale a tumbler plus other lapidary equipment, along with silicon carbide grit, polish powder and ceramic media. The main New Zealand supplier of lapidary equipment and consumables is Rotorua Lapidary, who have been in business since 1981 and are still going strong. Rotorua Lapidary directly import, assemble and test their equipment. All of my tumblers, grit and polish come from them, and I have always had excellent service and support from them. Of course, some Kiwis make their own tumblers and others have themselves directly imported equipment from overseas.
Mr Grit’s new website is mrgrit.co.nz and his Facebook Page is here. It is interesting to see a newcomer to the New Zealand market and to compare prices and the quality of product.
Mr Grit sells lapidary equipment from Aussie Sapphire. In relation to tumble polishers, he is currently listing Aussie Sapphire’s Dual 3lb Rotary Tumbler. On its website, Aussie Sapphire presents itself as follows: Established in 1997, Aussie Sapphire started out as an online outlet for Sapphire and other gems from the Reddestone Creek Mine located on our farm. From the early days of the business, we started adding lapidary products – this grew quickly to become the main focus of the online shop. Since the closure of our sapphire mine in 2009, Aussie Sapphire has become a dedicated lapidary supplier. After almost two decades of growth, Aussie Sapphire has become the largest lapidary supply shop in Australia with a massive range of stock items and an Australia-wide customer base. This page from their website provides information on their dual 3lb tumbler, including a video comparing it with the popular Lortone product.
2 November 2024: Mr Grit has recently added to his website that he can provide replacement parts for some Aussie Sapphire and Lortone equipment, especially 3lb tumblers, such as drive belts, lid gaskets and barrel nuts.
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