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**Tattoo machines** Posted: 8/21/2008 10:15:53 AM

I'm interested in starting to learn to tattoo and would like to know what some of ya'll like or don't like about the kit's you see on the marketplace. The kits look interesting as a easy way to one stop shop, but as someone just looking to get a feel, I don't want to purchase one of these if it isn't really going to work correctly.
I'd like to hear from those that have recently purchased a kit... if you liked what you got, if you'd suggest not getting a kit but purchase items individually, what machine/power supply do you like or dislike.
Thanks,
Tutor

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 9/2/2008 12:15:53 AM

dont go for the kits bro... a good machine will cost some money ..

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 9/2/2008 12:54:21 PM

http://www.eternaltattoos.com/
Check them out for real machines

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 9/24/2008 11:45:54 PM

dont let anyone bullshit u...the difference between the kits and "Good machines" is like the difference between a wood pencil and a clicky pencil..they do the same thing but one just does it a tad better....the kit machines wear out and break faster,thats all... if your just learning then it doesnt matter what machine you have(for now). the kit has everything you need...do it right and go to a shop and apprentice....and you'll see why hand control,trouble shooting and position are the only things u need to worry about for a while...my"cheap" kit works great and i work on clients everyday...but as i advance a better machine will follow

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 4/29/2009 6:46:18 AM

I have an engineering background and I will tell you what I believe to be true.Most of the machine is just coils,capacitor,and frame.There are a few other parts but most are within spec to perform the job exactly the same.Yes a "good" machine will do the job a "bit" better but I have seen some jailhouse pieces that were done with far less in regards to ink and equipment,and some of those pieces blow away art done by some so called "professionals".I think some of the pros will tell you to get the 400$ + machines for two reasons. They can buy them because they make the big bucks and can afford them.Some,not all artists want to throw hurdles into your way to becoming an artist because you are what? THE COMPETITION. If you can't afford to spend 5 grand on piecing together a real pro kit then you aren't ever going to learn to tattoo.
If you are stinking rich,get the expensive stuff.It will last longer and does a slightly better job.The biggest difference in the kits is the ink.Do some research and find what colors stay in the skin best and look the best when applied to the skin.One brand might make a white that stays in and looks good,but you might have to go to another company for some other colors.Realize this: You are putting this stuff under someone's skin for LIFE,try to use the best please,i do.
Learn to be clean.Sterilize and prevent cross contamination.
The best kit in the hands of a noob can produce crappy art.The worst kit in the hands of a pro at heart can produce stunning pieces rivaling the pros.

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 5/17/2009 9:40:05 AM

Good post Capn! A

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 5/18/2009 5:13:12 PM

spend the 250 to 300 for good machines. they make a world of difference from the geometry of the frame for better magnetic flow to the quality of the springs coils etc. yes you can tattoo with a kit but you will get garbage inks, needles etc. you need to learn the tech. aspects of the machines and how to properly tune them for them to run properly. the machines in kits are good to breakdown and rebuild to learn on but you get what you pay for.

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 5/25/2009 5:54:23 PM

Dumb as F..k!!What are general thoughts on volts and amps,are their guidlines or is it all down to what it sounds like n forget the numbers?? Just wen tuning am noticing vast differances,one liner running at 5v another supposedly better machine wont chug until 7.5 or higher,I go buy sound,but, should I be abiding aswell by some other medium to tune?Magnetic flow?any ideas? A

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 5/28/2009 6:29:42 PM

i tune by ear and feel. there are other aspects to tuning your machine like stroke spring length and guage. the angle of your front binding post and contact screw. magnetic flow really stems from how your machine is built

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 7/11/2009 10:24:42 PM

Magnetic flow stems from how many wraps are around the coils,the size of the wire used to wrap the coils and the size and composition of the ferrous metal that makes up the coil's core.Look it up, it's basic electronics, but what do I know, my father was a t.v. repairman and taught me most of what he knows. If I am lying, I am dying.

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 8/23/2009 12:40:21 AM

Hey KaptainHowdy or anyone who feels they can answer this question, would it be physically possible to build a machine's frame out of carbon fiber if there was still a way to achieve all needed circuits or connections? Though it'd probably be a waste of time or money to attempt such a thing (as carbon fiber is a bit expensive) I thought it'd be pretty cool.

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 8/26/2009 2:47:04 AM

CF would be make for a crappy frame. Too much flex, and would not take the vibrations well. I would try overlaying CF mylar (from Autozone) on a steel frame. Should give you the same look. Or you could get your frames powder coated like I did. I color coded all my machines. Awesome results!

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 12/10/2009 5:33:39 AM

Quality over Quantity is a good rule of thumb in the art form, kits have crap needles and machines and ink, you can piece a quality kit over time a little more expensive but you will save your self head aches and frustration............................. Element for Needles, Eternal is on joker for Ink, Iron Machines "work horse" and WWTA2.com for grips and all your sterile needs cause they are cheap and same crap every where else....Hildebrandt makes a nice 10 turn power supply, and back to Element for an eye loop and foot switch, Clip cords are crap every where you will fix and replace all the time be prepared......Be clean and Safe..........good luck

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 5/22/2010 7:29:08 PM

Just remember that when making the purchase to look out for double speak. For instance, "10X stronger than aluminum without any magnetic feild interferance"

basically means 'Made of plastic.'

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 6/30/2010 11:22:54 PM

I bought a cheap home kit and as far as the machines go, sure there not quite as great as a $500.00 machine, but if you learn to tune them properly they can produce fine art in the right hands! First you want to set up your liner, it has alot to do with tightening your contact screw a thickness of a dime from the front spring when the A bars depressed, same thing with a nickel on your shader, give or take a bit on each. Theres a lot more to it dealing with size of springs, armature bar, cleaning contact points, using rubberbands, capacitors, coil size, etc..... Do your research. And remember theres no "right" way to tune your machines, feel it out and find out what works best for you. And for ink I mainly use Starbright brand pigments, theyre not too thick and go in pretty quickly. And rat shit mixed with ashes!

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 6/30/2010 11:35:06 PM

A cool trick Ive learned, after adjusting your front contact screw turn your machine on and just watch the armature bar bounce up and down. If the lights right youll be able to see a "shadow or "blur" where the A bar seems to make a pyramid shape with the base touching the rear spring and the tip touching the grommet. if the tip seems dull, adjust the screw until it gets sharper "more pointy". This Ussually is an indicator that your machine is tuned well, and is at least one way to tune your machine by "eye".

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 7/21/2010 11:45:34 AM

my first experiance with equipmint was with a kit. it worked great for a few weeks then started to fall apart. if your just learning on your self or practice skin a kit will be what you want. it helps you get the hang of things. but as you get better you will want to piece togeather a good quality set up. ive spent thousands on everything i have but in the long run it has payed for its self time and time agin. and ink is your most important tool. cheap ink is just that cheap. it looks cheap and is hard to work with. get good ink there are sevreal out there like skin candy or prizem or a cheaper middle of the road ink would be star brite. remember as far as kits go you really do get what you pay for.

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 1/26/2011 12:47:58 AM

It is always better to buy the best set up you can. Even if it means you have to buy one piece at a time. It isn't a matter of someone not wanting new artist to prosper. Machines that are built with the top of the line parts run better and you can tell. If anyone is really interested in the whole theory of machine building a great place to go is http://www.atimemachine.com You can't order one unless you are a professional tattoo artist but there is some articles about why pro machines are better. We have years of experience and I for one want to see new faces in the industry. Even power supplies vary the more you pay the better they are generally. You want one that runs smooth no matter what. Usually the eikon, pulse, aptek, and time power supplies will run better and will last alot longer than some cheap piece of crap you buy on ebay or from some second rate supplier. Just my thoughts.

**(Deleted Post)** Posted: 1/31/2011 1:54:33 PM

(This Post was deleted by Lando J on 1/31/2011 5:37 PM.)

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 3/8/2011 3:54:11 PM

I have been scratching for almost 10 years now and have used all types of machines from Pulse to Kit machines. The ONLY difference I have seen is durability of parts. My very first real machine was some $10 piece from china. I used that machine for almost 3 years no problems. The only thing that happened to it was I dropped it 3 times in 1 day and broke the contact screw, contact screw tightener and a Spring (tried to bend it back too much to recalibrate it)

After I bought new parts for it off the internet, they worked fine and dandy for several more years. Hell I still use them and produce decent art. The only reason I have a new machine is because the frame on my newest one is lighter by several ounces and is more easily adjusted between a liner and shader.

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 8/5/2011 12:52:32 PM

Ok.
The bottom line is!!!!!
If you can produce excellent work with a nail and a hammer then keep going.

Practice practice practice!!!!

Draw draw draw!!!!!

Paint Paint Paint!!!!!

Its all about the finished product, the instruments you use and the medium to make the artwork shine.

If a £10 machine can produce a fantastic piece of artwork then that's fine.

If you need to pay £300 to for a machine to make your artwork shine then that's also fine.

The main thing is you really do need to be an artist today to make it in this industry.

Woodie

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 1/2/2012 3:39:35 AM

I have been using a cheap $35 machine for almost 4YEARS!!! As the years went on, I upgraded to some $150+ machines and my favorite is my jackhammer rotary. but my $35 coil from ebay/china is still hitting hard! I will say that i bought about 6 of the cheap machines, broke them down , and reassembled them. Just get the cheap kit and build up from there. My foot pedal is the only part i have replaced from my kit. I do have a few other self made kits ready to go just in case the "CHEAP" one breaks on me....knock on wood

**Re: Tattoo machines** Posted: 1/2/2012 6:22:52 AM

my first machine was a starter kit from element tattooing, the frame was made of chep metal and was bent into shape.im sure the geometry was off.lol. and the coils shorted out in less then 90 day. all that said i dont think u need to drop 200 or more on a good machine. i just got a lous hademade machine for 35 $ (the kit from elemet was like 80$) and im in love, the frame is solid and it runs great. ill post a pic. it just shows that learning whats good or bad is thru trial and error. ill post a pic of my new machine ( it a revers spring machine)

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