favorite tattoo machine

What is your favorite machine and why

um i like my huck spaulding puma cause it came in a cool starter kit with everything i needed and the power supply looks like a vintage toaster its awsome!my machine chatters in the wind its great it all chromed out like a hot rod!you should get one!YOU SEE THE KEY IS TO GET A MACHINE THAT RUNS REALLY LOUD!thats the secret but dont tell anyone else dood then everyone will want one......deal

NO HUCK SPAULDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ewwww i can't believe that anyone would consider that a good machine...... for a good starter go for a bicknee at least... possibly if you can afford it, a national. or time machine....I started with a time machine my old boss's now i'm using a texas custom Iron, ant I'm fucking spoiled....hard to use anything else

My favourite is a Glyn Flew Roger 1, that machine is my all time favourite, I just love it!

my favorite is the Time Machine.It works great for me.

and yeah,the Huck Spaulding machines Suck big time.they over heat and are just poorly made.If anyones serious about tattooing dont half heartedly buy this product just because its cheaper.

-snicker- :-}

The best tattoo machines are made in china!

I like my own machines. I make them myself. I cast them out of lodge cast iron skillets I melt down. I turn my own binding posts out of brass and cut my own springs and wrap my own coils. Simple as that and I paint my own flash. bicknee sells great coil sets. Great if your starting to assemble machines. Leave the machine making to the machinests. Huck spaulding machines are cool! Every one copies its suprem cut back frame. Rollomatics are based off the suprems, I do belive the suprems go back a bit father than huck spaulding, theve only popularized the design. I realy like my salior jerry's bull dog from around the 1960's I found in a street market in japan its really old and its my best one buy far. Traditional fetish tattoo in Manila

Just so that everyone is clear on this thread, this is a very young guy trying to pick a few brains for some advice as to which tattoo machine he should buy for his first machine. The first machine you should buy is an automobile when you're of legal driving age so that you can start exploring apprenticeship opportunities and possibly land one when you're of legal age to be in a tattoo shop according to the juristictions of the area you're looking in.

just wondering what any you guys think of micky sharp machines it seems to be all the tattoo artists use in uk any one used one of these

THE BEST TATTOO MACHINE BY FAR IS THE SWASHDRIVE THEN VTEK

Workorse Irons, Next Generation, Texas Custom Irons, or a good inexpensice machine is Paco Rollins.

you figure and icon such as huck would put out quality machines....not the case.....workhorse puts out the best machines for the dollar amount in my opinion...ive also recently been using a next gen aluminum orion with half coils...not recomended for the slow wristed...my favorite is hands down the aaron cain hook....you can keep the rest

I have a Internation Cast Iron liner that for some reason seems to run like a dream for me, I've heard other people say they don't care much for international but I would never be able to part with this machine. I also have an International Brass shader with a huge capasitor on it that run so smooth and slow it works awsome for black and grey

I like using vrad machine for now until i get my appre for tattooing and everything i'm still looking for which needles are the best for me....but anyways i have 2 Vrad's and they havent over heated or shocked or sparked on me yet

What qualifies you to give an opinion? You obviously do not work in a shop(ya said you are waiting to apprentice)....Lets make a deal when we want your opinion we will give it to you!!...In other words LEARN BEFORE YOU TEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pisssed off Taz

Aaron Cain, Micky Sharpz, Micky Bee, Danny Knight, Time, Robbie Barra, I use em all. Aaron Cain m/c is superb as is Danny Knight ( I got 2 of these). Micky sharpz is ok for a mass produced item. The best m/c by far is the one in your head, dont think that a Aaron Cain m/c will make you a better tattooer, you gotta use your head m/c for that!!!

Something that doesnt require a pedal..im finding no matter what machine I use and I have four, its really whos hands are around it..a machine doesnt make a person..the person makes the machine..but i would love to have one that doesnt have a pedal cause im short and its just a pain after awhile..

I have several machines , my favorite is a Todd Hlavaty for shading, My liner , I built on a walker style frame my own coils and springs and armature . As far as im concernd most run about the same when tuned properly and have a good power unit I think most would agree its the artists personal experience and know how. If I had to I could do a good tattoo with a puma.

I like the silver sticky panda jumper by Deon Allen Awesome machine!!

??????

No one has used a silver sticky panda jumper?????

THE ONE I GOT FROM E-BAY, SOME NO-NAME CRAP I JUST GOT IT AND STARTED TATTOOING AWAY, AND IM SO FREAKING AWESOME WITHOUT AN APRENTICESHIP, JUST IMAGINE HOW MUCH TIME I WOULD HAVE WASTED...

THE ONE I GOT FROM E-BAY, SOME NO-NAME CRAP I JUST GOT IT AND STARTED TATTOOING AWAY, AND IM SO FREAKING AWESOME WITHOUT AN APRENTICESHIP, JUST IMAGINE HOW MUCH TIME I WOULD HAVE WASTED...

Dude,don't do that-go all the way and get a silver sticky panda jumper by Deon Allen!!!

thats awesome.........check out Deon Allens web site ..he rocks! http://www.bluefood.cc/deonexhibit.html

The Gypsy King is pimping it.

"R" is for Rumpus is pretty wild looking.

Pandora-kick ass machine

pulse rules period!!!!if ya owned one of the 233 pandoras you'd understand. check out hope galleries

Trick question...My favorite machine is whichever one is in the hand of the pro artist I've chosen to do my latest tattoo..,

I had to through my two cents in after reading the above, doesn’t anybody know what makes a great tattoo machine a great tattooist, what do I mean, I mean all tattoo machines have the potential to run great and perform well as an instrument for tattooing if you know the fundamental systems and how to achieve maximum efficiency. You can have a 1000 dollar tattoo machine, just seen one sell on eBay but still not be able to make the machine work for you. Talk is cheep, Been tattooing since the 70,s and I make a 5 figure income with a Mickey sharps, before that I used 70’s Nationals and even a Spaulding Light weight for single needle work during the 70’s and 80’s still got the dam thing too… But you know what made them all great or my worse nightmare my tinkering, LOL. I leave you with these formula for the front spring, Ut = Uffs +Urs + Uor or Ut =_ Kfsyfs +_krsyrs +_ koryor and E=I/R. Regards Dragon Randy

Yep...with a skilled artist a guitar string and a casette motor can create incredible art... Still love my Hotsparks by Rob Giusti...hotspark @gmail.com

I just got finished rebuilding a time machine... They aren't too shabby when you gut them out to the frame... but then again I have a machine that I made out of an old skateboard truck that's pretty badass.... It's all in what you know how to do i guess... I don't care what kind of machine you own/use... as long as you like it... Everyone gets back to this discussion weekly... Some scratcher says some stupid shit... and we all jump in for the official dick waving contest of what machines are best. Even if they could purchase half the machines that we use... I don't think that it would change anything... My apprenticeship was fucking hilarious... The guy that I learned from handed me two mickey sharpz frames some coils that needed to be shrink wrapped and soldered... another set that had to be wound... some springs... screws ect... and said... whenever you can put these together you can practice on fruit... I'll help you but you're going to have to learn the functions of the machine and resistance... On top of it all every day i was given a new subject to draw from... For instance I was busy being shop bitch one day... emptying out the ultrasonic and putting shit in the clave... and he said... "you ever draw a women in a dress?" My response was "no"... he said don't come back until you've drawn ten... Even when I came back he made me redraw one of them in front of him... fucking prick... I couldn't have asked for a better teacher though... 7

23...It sounds like your mentor was a real asshole and a damn fine teacher!!!...You were lucky!....I was never really taught anything but the basics of machine building and had to learn most of what I do know by trial and error....and the older I get the more I realize how much I DON"T know...but I keep on tryin.... even after 35 years of tattooing there is still lots for me to learn!! Fucks me up when some young asswipe still wet behind the ears thinks he knows it all...keeps me in chuckles!...TAz

What do you people think about Snake Yates' machines?

What do you mean YOU people. am i sensing some kind of racism.

I meant the pros and regular users of this board. I just came across this site. I'm Jacque, by the way. Snake has a bunch of machines on ebay right now for cheap, so does anyone have any experience with any of his? Thanks

I am only an apprentice, but the artist I am apprenticing under had me start practicing with a Soba Pilot Liner from Workhorse Irons. From what I gather all the Workhorse Irons are very nice machines.

does anyone use machines from Gus from Japan? www.gusltd.com you should....

I AM CURRENTLY USING A COUPLE OF MACHINES I BOUGHT FROM A GUY WHO MAKES HIS OWN MACHINES CALLED (JC CUSTOM IRONS) THE ONES I HAVE ARE CALLED (CHICANO U-TURN) . ITS KINDA FUNNY NAME BUT THEY ARE BAD ASS MACHINES . HE IS CUSTOM MAKING ME A CORONA BASED MACHINE CAUSE THERE IS NO BETTER BEER THAN A CORONA .IF ANYONE WANTS TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS GUY OR HIS MACHINES I CAN RELAY A MESSAGE.

I HAVE BEEN TATTOOING A LONG TIME,IVE USED ALL KINDS OF MACHINES FROM HOME MADE,ALL THE CHEAP ONE FROM CATALOGS ECT.IVE USE MICKEYS,TIMES,ECT.IN TODAYS WORLD ,FOR THE MONEY,SOBA WORK HORSE WONT LET U DOWN,VERY NICE MACHINES,THEY GOT THE NAME RIGHT THERE WORKHORSES,IM A VERY BUSY TATTOO ARTIST AND RIGHT NOW THE SOBA LINE GIVES ME WHAT I NEED,BUT IM ALWAYS OPEN TO TRY A NEW MACHINE ,REMEMBER KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND KEEP ON LEARNING TO BETTER YOUR TRADE,WHICH IS GOING ART .IF IT WORKS DONT FIX IT?

Deon Allen's MySpace site, for those interested in seeing more... http://www.myspace.com/96419741

For those folks who might be in PHX, Deon will be here this Friday. Come and meet him. http://www.myspace.com/soulinvictus

For those folks who might be in PHX, Deon will be here this Friday. Come and meet him. http://www.myspace.com/soulinvictus

Has anyone had any experience with Ted Ted King of the Dead? I have heard that he makes some good machines, for around 200-300. I have considered ordering a machine from him.

silverbullett2 what shop do you work at in concord? i work at body creations in Rochester NH. Funny cuz im a huge soba fan as well, i just ordered my second machine from him yesterday, I got a Rusto Liner to push 9-14's

How about Seth Ciferri? His liner is pretty light, considering to purchase one, what you think?

hi everyone !!! my name is ROY , im looking for the GATSBY tattoo machine from PULSE , i wanna swap the gatsby for my NEXT G. . please if you have any interest in doing that or if you have a question ? thanks my cell : (510) 381 3309 usa.

Kevin Shercliff machines for those who like a light machine but f****** great.. I b0ought them from kingstattoosupplies.com They are all hand made and you can see it, but what a machines...

Would you guys say that Soba is better than Next Gen.? Also who do you guys think would make the best shader machine? I almost bought a Mickey Sharpz Machine but i found this thread and changed my mind. I would rather get something that has some love and attention to detail involved with the crafting process.. Could you guys explain to some of us novice people on a TECHNICAL level how are these machines like workhorse, soba, next gen and junebug better than a production machine and or your International machines or whatever.. Also i know Badbrass has a production machine that seems like a decent buy.. would you go with this ?? And Taz i was checking out you site painted angel and didnt know which artist you were.. do you have a direct link.. id like to see some work you have done.

Hand made DOES NOT mean good, and production machines can be great. My soba is a great machine, and super SUPER well made. So is my favorite pulse, wich some people may consider a mass produced "production" machine. Get a machine from a builder or company that seems to have as much passion for what they do as you do. Learn to tune it to your needs and likeing, and keep it well maintained. Though i personally hate useing them, I dont think theres anything wrong with mickeys, in fact there are many great artist using them. But i do tthink there are far better machines for the $$. If you look around enough message boards your gonna find people saying terrible things about every single machine builder and company. You'll also find people swearing on graves about how good the same machines are. Stay away from cheap shit is the secret. Machines made in from low quality metals and parts, by companies that dont give a crap about anything but getting a few hundred bucks a sale. You may purchase a great machine and find its not great for you. You just gotta try em, trade em, and play with the tuning. You can get to work in a hyundai, but your gonna appreciate the work that went into a porsche, and how much better it runs. But if you cant figure out how to use a gas pump...you aint getting anywhere in either.

I also use a Soba Pilot liner and I've been using everyday for about two years now and love it. I purchased it as a kit from Workhorse and got a free t-shirt out of the deal. I set it up to run around 127hz at about 6 volt. Thinking about it now, I might buy another one as set it up as a shader.

DAVEY....great post man and I agree 100%

true, handmade machines does not always mean great. Anything from Workhorse, Pulse, Next Gen, Danny Knight, Infinite Irons, can be picked up with your eyes close. You will get the job done and right (if you know whatcha doin')

Check out the T-Iron machines built by Rich T. of Bicknee Tattoo Supply. www.bicknee.com They are great cast iron machines with good weight and great balance. The cut back liners will run what ever you need them too and the shaders can run small mags all the way up to 45's and beyond. In the two years I have used them, my work has gotten much more solid and my speed has increased considerably. They are well worth the money and they are as solid of a daily runner as you can find. Larry Brogan www.tattoocityskinart.com

so i picked up a next generation machine at a convention and had a small issue well since i am used to a cheaper machine "mass produced"' dialer with 11wraps i had a problem using nipples on the machine... it totally made me look like an idiot in front of a client.. cause i had the nipple on and the needle would not fit on the nipple.. so i then used some papertowel and made a square out of it and made the needle go on it as a nipple. well it worked but my machine ran kinda inconsistant and sounded quiet.. then id put a line in and there was no line but blood would come up..can anyone help me here.. haha. then i used my "massed produced" tripple x shader and i have to say for a machine like that it runs well. i will post a link to the day of the dead skull i did with it .other than that.. thanks. and my next upgrade i am thinking of using a digital power supply and a soba shader.. i also was thinking that i would try a pulse shader.. i like all the work brandon bond and all those guys do at All or Nothing tattoo and i know they use pulse.. so i figure for the similar work i do maybe i will have some good results with shading.. etc. i know its not what you have its how you use it. but i do think that equipment plays a great part in it..

Have used many machines, but nothing compares to the "soba's". Can anybody tell me about the "bullfrog".

my machine of choice is micky sharp and anouther i dont mind is the superior vrad black raven neither machine has ever let me down

this forum has got have the most intertaining threads i have ever seen it would be funny to see or know if anybody really takes some of this crap seriously imagine someone going to their local tattoo sho and asking " hey do you guys know where i can get a sticky silver panda tattoo machine?" id love to be at work the day somthing like that happens itd be kinda like when guys come in trying to sell us tattoo equiment like the "paint we use" ,or some never heard of before cleaning products the best one ever though is one i heard from a friend of mine that works at another shop some guy was trying to sell them the motors they use for their tattoo guns! ha ha ha that ones priceless . the world is full of entertaining idiots. my advice for the kid looking for the best first tattoo machine --> #2 pencil get that mastered and maybe someday someone will help you out

No one could possible take any forum seriously... at least I hope not!

i was using the huck spaulding puma,until i got my hands on an el duce. that is the like a cadillac compared to a geo metro.

what's wrong with the spaulding supreme? besides the chuck.

what can any one tell me about a hildbrandt?? im thinking of buying one but i dont know if there any good....

what can any one tell me about a hildbrandt?? im thinking of buying one but i dont know if there any good....

what can any one tell me about a hildbrandt?? im thinking of buying one but i dont know if there any good....

Iv'e been illustrating since I was a kid and I recently took intrest in the tattoo industry. I recently also visited a few tattoo shops in L.A. area and found that nobody is intrested in giving any info on how to start or any advise. I was really amazed at how much of an asshole you become as a tattoo artist. I would of thought that out of the ten shops I visited that someone was going to give me a clue. I want to become one of you assholes really bad. Even in this discussion board it seems like there's some A-holes. I just need to know if it's wise to buy a kit or just the machine and get the accessories seperate. Some of the kits I see are so unbeleivably cheap I feel like I'm getting some bullshit offer. Do I need to go to a convention for my first guns or kits? I'm really reaching out here, someone please help!!!

To the dude above me: Are you kidding? Maybe if 10 shops turned you away, it's you and not them. You don't just go walking into a shop asking them about "guns" or kits. The last thing they want to do is help someone obtain supplies so they can start hacking the public out of their kitchens in filthy conditions. Poor and unsafe tattooing makes reputable shops look horrible. You have no business buying any equipment before absorbing a few other things first and If you want to get into the business you need to first start by impressing a tattoo shop. The very first thing you can do is right here and now. That is, Listen! Don't argue with what I'm about to say because it's not what you want to hear. Take it and know that this is the proper way. And if people tell you the same thing elsewhere, take it as a clue - artists ARE willing to tell people the proper way but wanna-bes will not hear it. Read ahead and absorb. Find a shop. One you really like. A shop that looks clean and does quality work. Find an artist who's work you actually admire. Start getting good tattoos by him or her. This will open a few doors for you - you'll be befriending a tattoo artist who you can watch, ask questions and share your interest in becoming an artist. He may (or may not) eventually (if you do the following) open even more doors for you. Draw your ass off. Even more than you already do. No matter how good you claim to be, strive to be even better. Put together a badass portfolio full of drawings. Only your best stuff. Learn as much as you can about cross contamination and tattoo safety. Go to the Red-Cross and get certified. Exhibit drive, desire, respect for the art, mad skillz and attention to health and safety. Leave the attitude behind with no expectations or demands. They don't owe you a damn thing and if you don't exhibit the qualities, why would they help you? There are enough hacks in the industry, they want to see potential. If you refuse to do ALL of the above before you can get to the fun stuff....(and there still TONS of stuff you'd need to learn before ever coming close to actually laying down a tattoo)...anyway, yeah, if you refuse to do ALL of the above, then you already know you are not cut out to be a tattoo artist. No shortcuts, pal. If you simply buy a machine/kit and start using it without knowledge of the trade than you are a complete douchebag. You are dis-servicing yourself by not learning the trade properly and therefore have NO chance of doing quality work with your name on it. You would be disrespecting the trade for being arrogant enought to think you can just pick up a machine and know how to lay a technically good tattoo (no matter how artistic you are). And you would be damaging people skin, giving them really bad tattoos and spreading diseases around. Is that really the goal you have in mind? Hopefully not. Artists are asked about how to get into the industry every day. You need to stick out from the crowd (in a good way) and if you act like you have no respect for tattooing (Where can I buy a "gun" so I can hack on my friends?) then you will stand out - as a lowlife loser who is going against everything that the industry is trying to fight against - a bad, dirty reputation. Looking at it from this perspective, can you understand that YOU came off as the disrespectful asshole, spitting in the face of their very lively-hood and craft? I bet they had attitude and rightfully so.

ya will find no help on this forum what so ever, its asshole central here ... run forest run!!!! unless ya wanna get bashed hahahah lmfao @ tattoonow

Do any of you tattoo artists know how to spell or check your grammer?!hehehehe.........My best tattoo machine that I work with for everday use is a Soba Pilot liner and the complimenting Pilot Shader. Of course, you can't go wrong with a Danny Dringenberg or Tim Hendricks! Nuff said!

Inksane, thank you so much! Exactly what I needed to hear. I appreciate your advise. I am sorry for appraoching the industry in the wrong manner. Sounds like I may not have to be an asshole, maybe only to those that walk in asking questions about guns...lol! Currently I'm working with a dental management company and I am responsible of overlooking three very busy dental offices. One of my responsibilities is to make sure that we are in complaince with OSHA regulations in the process of sterilization and safety. As far as bloodborne pathogens, firstaid and CPR I am required to take certain amount of units in continuing education coarses yearly to keep my licence. My employees friends and family should be able to be cared for at my offices without a doubt of procedures. As far as professionalism, Iv'e been in the dental industry for ten years and I truly beleive in costomer service which has instilled a great deal of professionalism and respect for the industry so I understand how some people can make industry's look bad. I feel that the tattoo industry is similar to the industry I'm in now (customer service). I would never do dentistry in my garage and I don't intend to tattoo there either. I take much pride in what I do in my industry. I do see that there was no point in going from shop to shop, but I ignorantly had to start somewhere. I intend to earn my keep and thanks for all the information. If you have anymore info just toss it into the board. I already have a shop in mind and I'll start there, thanks a million Inksane.

WOW, you actually listened? lol Well, I'm glad I typed all of that up then. Look, even if you have all of your ducks in a row, it's not easy to get an apprenticeship. And "doing what it takes" will mean devoting all of your time to an apprenticeship that pays you nothing...you sometimes even need to pay them to mentor you. Think of it like college. Not everyone can afford to do this but if you want to tattoo badly enough you might just have to "do what it takes". With that in mind, I'll pretty much reiterate what I said before. Befriend a shop, not just by hanging around but by getting tattooed. Once you get to know them, share your interest in tattooing. Share your artwork (present it professionally) and all of your safety knowledge without sounding cocky or like a know-it-all. The fact that you know all of that already is GREAT and can work really well for you. If you can use it to your advantage, don't be afraid to mention that you're in the dental industry. Can you maybe get them a discount on gloves or other sterile supplies or equipment? Be creative in that department. Sorry to say but sometimes it really does come down to "Hey, what can you do for me?". Keep patience in mind too. Getting an apprenticeship can be slow. You need to be confident enough to prove to them they would be crazy not to want you in their shop. But you have to be humble enough not to turn them off to you. You need to be persistant and driven without being an overbearing ass. It's a fine line, ya know? If you want it, do what it takes, even if it seems impossible. Nothing worth having is obtained easily. If you ever want to chit chat personally, you can email me (click my username). Also, can we see some of your drawings?

I learned how to tattoo in prison(single needdle), and I dont need a proffesional machine to do what i do. (Even though I had to get use to a heavy ass machine and slow me down at the begining) I came out and got certified with my blood pathogens and all. the shop that i work at has even more costomers than before (they say so) lol,lol, and lol.............

the two carbon fiber machines i built. yeah, real carbon fiber, not just pretty sticker shit. built 'em on a whim to see if it would work, now they're my daily drivers.

All these, "Tattoo artists" on here won't tell you shit because they fear losing business if people find out some shit. So fuck those fuckers... If the greedy fucks don't record their techniques or propagate them in the minds of others they won't evolve and there's a good chance most secrets will be lost. I believe in open source. You also want to be wary of, "tattoo artists" who try to mind fuck you into paying for an apprenticeship. It's a lot like hair school they make their money by convincing suckers that this can be learned rather than through countless hours of training. Best gun = A light gun. Then you tare it down and rebuild the fucker at 3am in your underpants while the woman and kids are sleeping. Much like a Jedi knight and his light saber. The frame is pretty much all that matters. Then you buy a turkey and an orange with your food stamps and start tattooing them at 3am in your garage so you don't wake up wife/kids. Then you rebuild your gun again... Repeat process for 3 months whenever you have a day off your 60+ hr a week working class job. Then when you can tattoo amazing stuff on turkeys and oranges then your wife might walk up and say, "wow look at that orange! It's got a picture of Tony Blair's face on it!" and then she will give you oral sex like she did when you were first dating... It's good to have a goal like oral sex; it will help keep you motivated. Don't be surprised if you never achieve your goal. Fuck American, "tattoo artists" who jacked the shit from other cultures in the first place, and then act like tracing a flash design of a devil bitch fisting a grandma into someones epidermis is a spiritual journey filled with honor and tradition. What makes a guy who pays rent for a shop any different from someone who does the shit on an orange in their basement? He has overhead to pay...

"Fuck American, "tattoo artists" who jacked the shit from other cultures in the first place" actually dumbshit, the tattoo machine is as american as it gets. thomas edison and sam o'reilly? those names ring a bell?

"Fuck American, "tattoo artists" who jacked the shit from other cultures in the first place" actually dumbshit, the tattoo machine is as american as it gets. thomas edison and sam o'reilly? those names ring a bell?

My first fav is one I built myself using parts from donor machines, it runs like a fuckin deer on steroids! My second fav is one that I bought from a manufacturer for 100 bucks and tweaked myself. It's a hammer and it'll run for 5 hours without a hiccup. I'm an old hot rodder that cant leave anything alone. Gotta fuck with it. Thats just the way it is....................

THE SWASHDRIVE TATTOO MACHINE IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST MACHINE I HAVE EVER USED. I USED TO USE A TEXAS CUSTOM, BUT AFTER USING A SWASH I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER USE ANYTHING ELSE. SWASHDRIVE'S ARE AMAZING MACHINES BAR NONE.

Ok all you youngsters, I am going to post here 1 time only (you will love me for that). I have been in the trade for 43 years and it pisses me off when I read crap like I did on here. Its bad enough the trade gets mind fucked as it is, and a damn crying shame the young ones have learned the bad ways of yester year. Swashdrives, IF you learn with them or reteach yourself they are good, needles don't retract and can chop up some meat, But known artists like Roy Boy and Tony the Pirate (Tony Cambria) set coil machines up to run the same as swashdrives for years, slow and long stroke jack hammers. I started tattooing watching Tony Cambria at the age of 14 and he is a great machine builder THAT WON'T SELL THEM!!!. I lived with and worked with Paul Rogers for 2 years in the 70's learning machine mechanics (don't dare say a harsh word about Paul or I will find you and skull fuck you) Paul was a great man and God father to my sons. Thousands of people that mark the population up (not all are artists) use Spaulding & Rogers machines, Paul designed them and Huck couldn't tune a fart with a tuning fork. Paul left the partnership when Huck got greedy and went public with supply sales. The best machines you ask? Are the ones you build to your style of work, jack hammers don't work well for black work and wash and lite weak irons suck at color work. Learn to build or rebuild what you buy. I have 4 sons who are artists, 1 in Jersey and 3 on west coast, they all learned to build irons before they touched skin. Point is if you have to worry about passing alone some solid information to a newbee and you worry he might tattoo in a garage down the block, well then your work must suck, simple, people who will go to him won't spend the money in your place so you lost nothing.. You all think Mike Malone, Cliff Raven, Graig Irons, Shotsie Gorman and the like all started out as top artists? If you think that you need prozac. As Ernie Carafa once told me years ago, its the man and the iron, if they don't have a marriage they will always be a scratcher. This money you all spend for irons is insane and bullshit, if one has to spend big bucks for a iron because this guy or that builds them, well you are adjusting to his iron, not adjusting the iron to you. Paul built irons for $150.00, until he died and the leeches get insane money for them, when I die all 17 of them (Pauls irons) I have go to the tattoo museum Want a good Iron, go to unimax and buy a few iron stars for 60 bucks each and set them up. Tony Cambria designed the iron, had a falling out with the machinist who stamped the frames and they ended up for sale at unimax, doesn't take squat to tune them up to your liking (I have nothing to do with unimax,just bought some Stars from them when I saw what they were) I have origanals been running fine for 20 + years. Before I go, cracks me up, power supplies, digital this and that, and all the electronics talk, 12 volt battery or 2 to make 24 is the purest DC on the planet, 2 batteries = $100.00 or 1 door bell transformer, 1 full wave bridge rectifier, 2 elctrolytic caps and you have a wall unit for about $65.00, don't have a digital readout, won't make coffee, but it will work just as well as a 300 buck China job will , nah will work better then the China digital. Its my world you just live in it ! Doc

HAHAHA THIS IS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST FUCKIN THREADS IVE READ SO FAR KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS AND THANX FOR THE PICK ME UP!

I recently bought Kaplan machines, machining was very poor, crooked back post.A-bar hits on one side not flat. Old timer told me Kaplan was a good name to buy from, guess it went to crap after big Joe died, or maybe has changed hands and some crap snuck thru. Don't know but sure not happy. Have to do my National guard thing for 1 month when I get back I will see if they will make good for the problem. I will repost and let you all know what happens. Only one machine was this way out of two, the other one is fine, so maybe a defect passed someone who didn't have coffee yet LOL.

Ravan: I saw your post and I wonder why you state a problem here and not to Kaplan comapny? Did you call them? My understanding is another person took it over a few months ago, maybe you got a machine that was left over by the old owner, of whom I understand wasn't the best business person. I would call them when you return from your Guard duties ( thank you for your service). I am sure they will stand behind their product,but they will never know the problem if you just say it here. Stay safe Doc

To Raven, Someone told me about your post so I came here to make good: My name is Dennis Gladwell. I am the new owner of Kaplan East Coast Tattoo Supply. I recently took over the company at the end of November 2007 and I'm still working out all the kinks the previous owners made to the business. They knew nothing about tattooing and didn’t want to hear what Big Joe had to say when it came to the making of the equipment and some crap did manage to get by cause of this. I am slowly fixing the damage they did and bringing the company back up to where it once was and hopefully beyond. Contact me or if I'm not in the office speak to my assistants Maritza or Jackie at (914) 422-2727, I will let them know of the situation. Then return your machine and I will personally fix any machinery and tune it myself. If you want to know my background and info you can check out my personal site at www.dgtattoo.com Dennis Gladwell Kaplan East Coast Tattoo Supply

How about talking that some manufacturers are cutting corners and adding led in their cold rolled steel just because it's easier to machine? If you know that led is a non ferrous metal you can realize the outcome of coils and machines made with this alloy. How many times we hear "the low number models used to run better" Maybe because supply and demand forced money makers to cut corners to expedite production. You didn't hear this from me.

Fallen King, thats a hell of a statement. So we are to believe that manufactures incure the cost of building or buying a forge and melting down steel just to add lead to it? Sounds a bit far out there. Many use 1018, not hard to machine. I think the problem when Irons are real good from someone and then it drops to they are just ok is this, One person is building and then the word spreads his Irons are good, so a bunch jump on the bandwagon and start buying. Work load is to much so help is employed, right there is the problem, it goes from personal building to this is how it is done and we need 10 today. Don't think materials changed. Besides I bet you a buck that there isn't 10 people making Irons who use and know how to treat the material for coil cores. 1018 is cut to size drilled, wrapped with wire and thats it. That is not how oldtimers made cores and unless they are made the old way one will never have a Iron that works like the originals. Why do you think old coils go for so much money? So when you get a Iron that runs like it should, not like most sold today, it is probably made by someone who learned off one of the oldtimers how to properly magnetically align the magnetic flux field of the cores When done right all this hype about the side arm of the Iron causing a problem with the field, well it then goes away, it is built properly. People in the Tattoo world would learn these important things if many weren't such arrogant pricks. Doc

Fallen King, thats a hell of a statement. So we are to believe that manufactures incure the cost of building or buying a forge and melting down steel just to add lead to it? Sounds a bit far out there. Many use 1018, not hard to machine. I think the problem when Irons are real good from someone and then it drops to they are just ok is this, One person is building and then the word spreads his Irons are good, so a bunch jump on the bandwagon and start buying. Work load is to much so help is employed, right there is the problem, it goes from personal building to this is how it is done and we need 10 today. Don't think materials changed. Besides I bet you a buck that there isn't 10 people making Irons who use and know how to treat the material for coil cores. 1018 is cut to size drilled, wrapped with wire and thats it. That is not how oldtimers made cores and unless they are made the old way one will never have a Iron that works like the originals. Why do you think old coils go for so much money? So when you get a Iron that runs like it should, not like most sold today, it is probably made by someone who learned off one of the oldtimers how to properly magnetically align the magnetic flux field of the cores When done right all this hype about the side arm of the Iron causing a problem with the field, well it then goes away, it is built properly. People in the Tattoo world would learn these important things if many weren't such arrogant pricks. Doc

THis is the true composition of CS 1018: 0.17 percent carbon 0.75 percent manganese 0.03 percent phosphorus 0.04 percent sulphur 0.08 percent silicon 0.005 percent nitrogen There is another alloy that has led in it's composition. This is the metal used to do a lot of the doors ornaments, motor parts, and other things. Led makes the steel to be easier to cut. There is no visible difference, specially when the O2 gives the grey look to the steel. Even with 1018 you break bits like a mofo when doing CNC framing. I ended up knowing about this simply because I got involved deeply with all the aspects of machine building, otherwise I would continue ignoring them. PM over tattooconnect and I tell you who's using led in their cores.

WOW...This thread has really taken off...LOL who would of thought. Well Since my last input to this thread I have been busy. Some of you may know I have made a Series of Art Themed Tattoo Machines. Being an over achiever and a little compulsive I end up inventing some new equipment, while making the art machines I became irritated with the same old dilemma of tuning the machine, while there is a process even might be a science to it. The application of these is tedious and can be down right make you little crazy. I am the type that is always looking for an easier softer way. With this in mind I decided to really look at what was happening technically with the machine. See I now know I should have said any machine in the hands of an artist with an in-depth understanding of machine function…LOL… Now I am sorry but that leaves most of the artist in the dark, and I mean some really talented artist do not know shit about how a machine really runs or how to make it run, they rely on builders to provide backups as they need them they send them back and have them reworked. So my goal was to design a machine that they could use and tune, an Idiot-proof machine that could be tuned to a highly accurate point of performances easily. As a result I built a full R&D Lab for testing every function o the machine and the action of the needle, additionally I purchased and tested and measured every major top of the line machine. Then I studied every thing every written about machine function and use. And then studied engineer books on metals and magnetic theory and design. I then studied every machine or part patent. Then I built machines from scratch until I understood exactly every aspect of the machine function and design. Then I redesigned the every part of the machine, and I mean every part! THE DA VINCI® MACHINE COMING SOON! A Machine Built for the 21st Century Master Artist, the True Dream Machine for the discriminating Artist who demands the most precision tattoo machine instrument every built and an Artist who wants to just paint skin not make the brush. Industral Inquries contact: Randy Holder [email removed] http://mysite.verizon.net/goldendragonlv/. http://www.inkednation.com/dragonrandy

Dragon Randy Don't mean to bust your bubble, BUT I have been building irons for about 40 years. NOTHING is Idiot proof, trust me. Doc

Jesus Christ. I can't beleive the shit I'm reading on this forum. No wonder T.Artists get a bad rap. Most of you jack-holes are Psuedo Intellects anyway. Post your so called "Great Work", then run your mouth. For fuq's sake, Pull a tube and relax fellas.

russian guns are the best in these days

Has anyone tried a Paolini Tattoo Machine? Haven't read anything about them.

hey does anyone have an opinion on the dringernburg machines?? because i know some of the best use them and i was thinking about buying them ?? or what should i be buying? please email me with a response because ill check my email before i check here [email removed]

this posting started as a way for some dude to find out what kind of machine he should start with and turned quickly into a advertisement for dildo's... If you can afford it... Buy Mickey Sharpz... They always work well... they give good clean lines and are dependable... Buy from the website if you can find a way into a shop as an apprentice... Thats even more important... this industry in filled with skin scratchers.."you know who you are" that are doing it out of their livingroom and never receiving the proper training and learning the basics... so first... APPRENTICESHIP!!!! then worry about picking up a couple of Mickey Sharpz. Sterility comes first... Best of luck to you man....

I really like Adam Cifferi and Josh Fords machines. They own Honorable Irons and make really nice tattoo machines. I was told by someone who I have come to really respect in this trade that if you don't like a guys tattoos then don't buy his machines. It may sound crazy but I wouldn't buy a machine from a builder or corporation who has machines assembled by non tattooers. I like to know that the guy making my machines would use it or maybe he has? I take every machine I buy from anyone and destroy it. I take it apart and put it back together. That is what I did with my first machine so that is what I do with every machine. Sorry builders. Not all of us have machine shops in our garages so its good to know a great machine builder. Joey D at infinite irons makes a great book on his theories about machines. I have found it very helpful. He also makes some damn good machines which are fairly priced. I have re-built a few machines, made a couple, and fixed a bunch of cheep mass produced machines. In the end its not just the tool its the hairless ape behind it. I love tattooing and the history so I crawl inside and soak it all up like an industrial wet vac. To all the old school dudes who have posted here. I have read and do take seriously the information you have passed on to me. Thank you.

still being an idiot, doc. if you're gonna talk bullshit to dragon randy, you should at least point out that his tattoo work is as bad as yours. fk's are the best machines i've ever used. and i've used a shitload of them.

time machine is great! one of the better company bought machines. You want hand crafted magic! Aron Cains are awsome! beauty, and performance! Legend machines are also one of the top machines! anybody that thinks huck spauldings machines are great, needs to get an apprenticeship, not a machine! learn what your going to do before you do it! trial and error, is not the way to learn this trade! by the time you figure it out, youll have screwed up abunch of pepoles skin, and made a bad rep for yourself. like anything else, if you want to do something well, go to school, learn from someone that does it well!

FKI 'Nuff said

Wow I have read all everyones input and have a great amount of fun doing it. Almost everyone even some of the best tattooists I've ever met has known or used a huck granted they are what they are and everyone knows it but its probably an ok first machine. It was mine and they 2 were given to me by my teacher. A supreme quick change and a stinger(a very light liner which I still use once in a while). I also started with a Star came from Wes a friend and owner of a big supply co called Unimax @ www.unimaxsupply.com. I wasn't really allowed to do anything big so the machine never had time to get hot plus I learned machine tuning and assembling with those this is not homage to huck but Mr. Rogers did make an awesome machine now best built by Mickey Sharpz usa. I use the dials a micro and telephone for almost three years and just those until i was given a set of machines for xmas made by Paco Rollins. I know own every style brass, iron, steel, semi magnetic etc.and f-ing love them all they are fairly priced and the man Mr. Paco will tune them for ya anytime down the road.

Time Machines, next gen, and pulse machines are good (pulse not so good for the price) but lemme tell you you don't learn to drive a car by climbing into a rolls royce. find something light weight, about 8 oz. Dont ruin a 300+ dollar machine cause your an idiot

what would be the best lightweight gun for a beginner to buy? I want to start but I just don't know should i buy a cheap kit from china or what? Any good input will be accepted.

I was just looking up a gun called element it was fairly low priced for a beginner kit what do ya think?

fuck off, idiot.

love fk irons, but that fucker is getting expensive.

Oh excuse me NOZ!! I was unaware that you never had to ask any questions about tattoos or learning what to start tattoos with

take a hike, scratcher.

Hey all im say'n dude is that you had to ask someone a question one time or another.I just would like a few hints, im not say'n "Oh im going to open a tattoo shop in a year, cause im so good at drawing." i mean come on dude i know there are dumbasses like that but im not one of them. So give me a break if im a "scratcher" better than be'n a bitch and not even try'n. post me back

I think the Tattoo industry as a whole is evolving. The best way to learn and FOCUS ON YOUR ART straight off the bat is a SWASH DRIVE. I don’t know why all these artists are stuck in the past. The industry is moving toward pneumatic and swash technologies. We all owe a great deal of gratitude to the pioneers of the field but need to come to grasp the new ideology of tattoos. If you can focus on the art without bieng bogged down by the technicalities of older machines DO IT. POINT BLANK if you want a machine that will line and shade get a SWASH and use a INSTEK power supply. you will eliminate the stress of setting up and rebuilding, and be better prepared to give a great tattoo. The awards being won today in most of the main stream competitions are created using SWASH and PNEUMATIC machines. Eliminate the discouragement of coils and produce cleaner sharper lines from the start. Think of the money you will save with only 2 machines (one for everyday the other in case of emergency). We are all in this together so ThINK.

Hello to all, I sat here and read all of everyone's comments. It suprises me that most professional tattoo artist are all assholes!!!!! I have been doing tattoo's for about 4 years now and im not the best but i can tat!!! I started off scratchin skin just like most of everyone else in this room. I tried to ask for help from other artist but most turned me down. I couldn't figure out why but I did not let that discourage me. I taught myself. I went to the library, got on the internet, watched videos, and read every book out there i could find. When I tried to get an apprenticeship with a local artist he wanted like $4000 dollars to treat me like shit everyday. I didn't care tho I was happy to learn more about something that i loved. One day someone seen me drawing a portrait and told my mentor that they wanted me to do thier tattoo, he let them know that I was not a professional artist and then let them know that he would not let me tat in his presence. The guy slipped me his number and told me to give him a call and i did. He didn't care I wasn't a pro he just believed in my art work so I gave him a tat and it turned out pretty nice. I went and showed my mentor and he liked it as well. He later winded up firing me because he said I stole his business because customers would come ask for me!!!!!!!!! The best advice that I can give anyone starting to ink is to study your trade!!!!! First learn the 62 parts to a tattoo machine then learn how to build one for yourself. Make sure you learn about different needle groupings as well as what materials make the best machines. Be sure you know what you are paying for, some tat machines where designed by legends who actually don't own the company anymore and someone is just using the name. Make sure you are paying for quality not a name!!!!!!! The best starter tatttoo iron I have used was the Hildbrant .44 and you can get those in a nice starter kit for about $300. STAY AWAY FROM THE JAP CRAP PLEASE!!!!!! The best piece of advice that I can give anyone starting out is never, never refer to your machine as a GUN!!!! Guns are instruments of death, an tattoo IRON is an instrument of art. Learn the difference!!!! Finally, remember that opinions are like assholes and everyone has one. Don't let anyone discourage you keep it moving and with hard work and dedication u can be the best!!!!!! If u have any more questions I am always happy to share what i have learned so just drop me an email at [email removed] I can teach u how to build a hell of a machine!!!!!!! Good Luck, Franchi$e

i like my dringenbergs, those bitches runs so smooth and nice

www.josephmcveigh.com or www.tattooguild.com

to everyone out there we all started some where. Tattooing is a passion and not somthing to be taking as a joke. Mother tattooed for 10 years and when i turned 16 i wanted to learn she bought me my kit and said " here it is this is how to set it and there you go." She belive that you can learn things from others but if you have it you have it. No one can do a perfect tattoo the frist time but youll get it. I am a at home/party tattoo and proud that keeps food on my table and a roof over my head. And o.m.g i even know how to keep things clean, sterlized and use new needles. quit hating on the little guys. Its a love. you guys act like some damn lawyers all high string and your nose up in the air. Live, love and tattoo!!!!!

stumbled on this site and noticed that professional tattoo artists do indeed shun anyone who seems the slightest bit interested in learning the trade and it seems to be a worldwide thing! Been tattooing for around 5 month now from home (YES ...I am one of the SCRATCHERS that you all keep refering to! )and have done around 30 tattoos from tribal to old english and kanji to koi and have not had ONE person come back to me with a problem regarding my tattooing or cleanliness, you see we dont ALL just want to make a quick buck in the garage & fuck the consequences,I have even had heavily tattooed people comment on how clean it is in my work area.(helps when your wife is a doctor) I am a specialist stainless steel TIG welder & the welding handpiece & the tattoo machines I use are similar in shape,weight &size so I found that I was, I suppose a 'natural' when it came to tattooing. I guess what I am trying to say is that I have taught apprentices too (at welding),and I too have time to show them 'if' they are interested enough but if not then they can forget it. Hands up who is "self-taught" in this forum!!! because I bet theres more than a couple but they dont go bragging that they didnt have a "real apprenticeship" Just cos they didnt get the chance they make it as hard for others as it was for them. be nice to people on your way up the ladder cos its the same people waiting for you on your way back down!

stumbled on this site and noticed that professional tattoo artists do indeed shun anyone who seems the slightest bit interested in learning the trade and it seems to be a worldwide thing! Been tattooing for around 5 month now from home (YES ...I am one of the SCRATCHERS that you all keep refering to! )and have done around 30 tattoos from tribal to old english and kanji to koi and have not had ONE person come back to me with a problem regarding my tattooing or cleanliness, you see we dont ALL just want to make a quick buck in the garage & fuck the consequences,I have even had heavily tattooed people comment on how clean it is in my work area.(helps when your wife is a doctor) I am a specialist stainless steel TIG welder & the welding handpiece & the tattoo machines I use are similar in shape,weight &size so I found that I was, I suppose a 'natural' when it came to tattooing. I guess what I am trying to say is that I have taught apprentices too (at welding),and I too have time to show them 'if' they are interested enough but if not then they can forget it. Hands up who is "self-taught" in this forum!!! because I bet theres more than a couple but they dont go bragging that they didnt have a "real apprenticeship" Just cos they didnt get the chance they make it as hard for others as it was for them. be nice to people on your way up the ladder cos its the same people waiting for you on your way back down!

stumbled on this site and noticed that professional tattoo artists do indeed shun anyone who seems the slightest bit interested in learning the trade and it seems to be a worldwide thing! Been tattooing for around 5 month now from home (YES ...I am one of the SCRATCHERS that you all keep refering to! )and have done around 30 tattoos from tribal to old english and kanji to koi and have not had ONE person come back to me with a problem regarding my tattooing or cleanliness, you see we dont ALL just want to make a quick buck in the garage & fuck the consequences,I have even had heavily tattooed people comment on how clean it is in my work area.(helps when your wife is a doctor) I am a specialist stainless steel TIG welder & the welding handpiece & the tattoo machines I use are similar in shape,weight &size so I found that I was, I suppose a 'natural' when it came to tattooing. I guess what I am trying to say is that I have taught apprentices too (at welding),and I too have time to show them 'if' they are interested enough but if not then they can forget it. Hands up who is "self-taught" in this forum!!! because I bet theres more than a couple but they dont go bragging that they didnt have a "real apprenticeship" Just cos they didnt get the chance they make it as hard for others as it was for them. be nice to people on your way up the ladder cos its the same people waiting for you on your way back down!

WELL THE MACHINE AINT REALY THE MAGIC,IS THE PERSON FUCKIN THE MACHINE,BUT IM WITH PACO ROLLINS 2008 J-FRAME ON LINING AND EAST COAST SHADER BY J-KAPLAN ON SHADING.AND ITS GOTTA BE ALL HAND CRAFT AMERICAN BUILT.IF YOUR GETTIN ONE FROM CHINA OR LAZER CUT AMERICAN BULLSHIT,JUST GET THEM FOR SHOW,TO DECORATE YOUR SHOP OR BOOTH!!!!

Someone asked decades ago on this thread about Lauro Paolini machines. It's true, I hardly hear mention of them. I use their Raffaello for for a lot of my shading and filling, and Leonardo for outlining with larger needle groups. They are simple, solid, smooth and powerful, and it aren't jazzed up with a lot of frilly decoration. I picked one up by chance at a convention years ago, and I'm glad I did.

"Fuck American, "tattoo artists" who jacked the shit from other cultures in the first place, and then act like tracing a flash design of a devil bitch fisting a grandma into someones epidermis is a spiritual journey filled with honor and tradition. What makes a guy who pays rent for a shop any different from someone who does the shit on an orange in their basement? He has overhead to pay..." LOL!

FKI....All of them!!!!

haha that culture stuff was pretty funny!!! n i see ur point! kudos haha..im an american n i do tattoos in my HOUSE!!! yep im on my own for now...i wanna start in a shop i have been tattooin since i turned 17 n nowim 19!!!!' i catch on quick haha and now i do tattoos for everyone i know!!! if someone in minnesota or wisconsin have a shop thats hiring! just holla!!!! my email is [email removed] email me and ill send ya pix of my art n work!!!

zman, I just had an image of you breaking into a maniacal 'hahaha' in mid sentence while hovering over a guy on a plastic folding kitchen chair set up in your basement with your ebay kit spread out before you on an old work bench. 'hahaha'.

I also stumbled upon this here site and started reading this shit. Hey Buddy! My hand is up too...yeah call me a scratcher or whatever you want but I'll put up my work next to anyones anyday. You see when I looked to get started (17 yrs ago) there wasnt anyone even relatively nice about wanting to teach. I did find a guy who was interested (in my money) to teach me. The second time I hung out with this guy he dropped a bomb (a contract) that said after I paid him $8000 and my apprenticeship was done I could not open a shop within a hundred miles of himfor 5 yrs. I simply told him to fuck off. He only wanted my money. So I learned everything I could about everything before I ever touched anyone. Let me tell you I was at no shortage of guinea pigs, but not one of them ever had a complaint. We all get started somewhere. So all you assholes who don't want to admit you learned the same way just so you don't make yourself look bad, take a second and remember where you started too. Some of the best started "scratching" and noone critisizes or ridicules them now, do they? My favorite machine I picked up at convention for $35, took it home, messed with it for an hour and it's the best 35 I ever spent. It's a Superior Python. I"ve since stripped the paint, put Dart Vaughn coils on it, and lightened the A-bar. My cheapest and best running machine. I have others that I've paid a great deal for only to find I paid too much. Buy a machine tear it apart, put it together, again again again again, and again.

Why are some so called tattoo artists so full of themselves and right up there own fucking asses ya I'm on about you Taz. Ive been tattooing on and off for 25 years but I'm not sad enough to think I should be put on a pedestal just because I'm a tattooist very sad indeed

ANYBODY TRY THE SLIM BEAM B BY BLACK LOTUS?

i use all custom mades by dr. blood, dano collins, electric soul, tom of naked canvas, and a dan roberts alpha liner. i had a real apprenticeship, aren't i fucking special. it doesn't matter the business is so flooded we might as well do the carlton thing and sell dvd training videos and cash in a bit. they will always find supplies and they will tear their friends up. let em' do it man who fucking cares. if they want a cover up you get to charge more, if not oh fuckin well. Zach Whitetreeirons myspace.com/whitetreeforge for anyone with shit to say.

huck spaulding tattoo machines are by far the biggest p.o.s on the market... I have an original sailor jerry bullbog shader from 1976 and thats my favorite. but I aswell make my own tattoo machines. ther good looking and run all day beautifully. but for a beginner looking for a low cost well running machine. look up www.tts.com there are loads of machines of good to grate quality. for a reasonable price...

huck spaulding tattoo machines are by far the biggest p.o.s on the market... I have an original sailor jerry bullbog shader from 1976 and thats my favorite. but I aswell make my own tattoo machines. ther good looking and run all day beautifully. but for a beginner looking for a low cost well running machine. look up www.tts.com there are loads of machines of good to grate quality. for a reasonable price...

TED TED KING OF THE DEAD machines hands down, but what works for you works for you. I tried them all, sorry perfer TED TED's

I see that this is the "favorite machine" discussion forum. I prefer to use B&R Machines personally but I've seen and used many other machines that I would use had I not bought B&R Products. I also see that someone came here seeking advice from people that should have that good advice. Hey man if you don't have a lot of cash to spend and want to get started like everyone else the same way that you are now, at home doing random tats. Wait a minute let me get clear on something here. Some people decided to give this guy a hard time. Do you think anyone here is dumb enough to believe that someone starts out at a tattoo shop with absoloutely no experience of knowledge of tattoing at all. If so who was dumb enough to hire you? Hey man Element is a cheap product but they also have good machines for around 100 bucks to get you started man. Don't loose hope because someone here says something. I cant see any artwork from here anyway man you might be better than them. Ever think about that?

I love the pulse machines .... my favorites would have to be the belmont liner and archer shader. They stay in tune and give me consistant results, used my archer for like 9 hours strait with no signs of overheating.......

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ele/1310735706.html

That last post isnt listed there anymore but this one does have a lot of machines that I would consider to be High-Quality. They do request Professional Credentials prior to ordering and only ship to verified Tattoo Shops. I use B&R personally they perform like a champ. http://www.tattoomachinez.com/ http://www.tattoomachinez.com/ http://www.tattoomachinez.com/ http://www.tattoomachinez.com/

I am a 3 year tattoo artist. Specializing in color, detail, and traditional work. I am having hand a wrist fatigue pretty bad and can now afford to get myself a new lighter tattoo machine. I have been using a Micky Sharpz hybrid liner (a hand me down from my boss) and its just not running as fast as I do. I have had a freind tune it for me and it still seems to bog down because of how fast I want to run my lines. I prefer to run with a 5-7 liner on most all tattoos. I am looking into 3 different machines and would appreciate any feedback anyone can give me. From Kingpin: Josh Ford "Ghost Coil" Liner...Weight 6 0z. Description: The ghost coil machine is an extremely fast, light, efficient, liner; works well with 7 rounds and smaller, with a wide range of power; a must have for every collector! $350 From Pulse: Specialist weight 7.5oz. Description: Our specialist liner starts out as a 45 oz block of c10-18 solid cold rolled steel, which we then machine to our exacting cutback liner specifications. By compacting the geometry of the frame, it allows us to run a shorter front spring. With the shorter, tighter spring set up, the machine can be run quicker, resulting in a liner that produces, longer, smoother, line work. Black oxide finish, with your choice of 8 or 10 wrap coils. We set up the Specialist to be the perfect 3-5 liner detail machine. $275 From Workhorse Irons: Soba Mini Rusto Re-up liner weight 6.5oz. Description:New! Soba Mini Rusto Re-Up Liner, the latest version of Soba's Mini Rusto, now CNC cut from a solid block of ductile iron. Back to a one piece lightened frame, Workhorse Coin thumbscrew, Mini 1" 8 wrap coils, re-designed lowered tube vise for greater distance between armature bar and vise, Deluxe Binders and more...The Mini Rusto Re-Up Liners are very light and quick with a solid hit to push 3ís to 7ís. Running between 140-145 Hz @ 6.5 V, weighing in at a mere 6.5 oz. Anyone with any advice can reply or email me at [email removed].. thank you!!!

ok there are many out there the truth is tuning and quality of machine there is just so many good ones the hawk is amazing so are neuma are stupid good and i even have a blitz liner that seems to kick butt some people work better with other thing but i will tell you spaulding and rodgers are just crap nice thing to tear up you buddies skin so when your drunk you can all get a chuckle there is a reason there cheat get it? go ahead use the ink its as equally bad but hey there is always luck i have seen great prison tattoos also lol with ashes and baby lotion the best thing is to educate yourself before you even think about it there are people that have been tattooing for years i just relize you know nothing and you might have the privilege one day to be a great tattoo artist then you wont make people mad like the last posted comment that there whole life is tattooing you have to earn it and i doubt very much that youll be holding a huck spaulding .....GET REAL

i have been tattooing in the industry not on and off but 33 years straight. my set up is: juan puante, mike malone spaulding rebuild, ted ted king of the dead, these are my liners and all run very well and fast, my shaders are pulse, joey d. and also a ted ted. i have tried the neumas and too light, did nt like sobas stuff, put together nice, just not fast enough for me, i do nt like kingpin machines as they are mass production. i would say my top builders right now are: pulse. ted ted. joey d. and the folks at firehorse irons, NOT workhorse. i stay away from workhorse as it is not the builders who are building the machines is from what i was told that is why afew of the builders do are not with them anymore cause they did not want the names tained. i would say my all time fav. was mike malone. he could build you a fast fast machine. or a nice machine for shade work. good luck.

Hi all, (now, excuse me 'cause im french and so im dont speak very good english.... i trying to get better.... thank you before...) So, ok, im search on the net the best machine tattoos and i saw tour favorite. My question is them : I saw in a web site there tattoo machine M.I.C.... Its a promotion and my question is just if you know there tattoos machines and if are good. I dont search the better machine of the world bu the price is not very expensive. Is a promotion. So, 1 : Do you know there tattoos machines? And 2 : What do you think it? Thanks at all for your future reponse. A frenchy tattoo man to hope to be a good tattoo artist in the future.... Thank for your ideas etc... and your responses.

Liner: Micky Sharpz Micro Dial Shader: Pulse International Solution

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS.. AFTER READING HALF OF THE BULLSHIT..LOVE FOR YOUR ART WORK AND TIME YOU HAVE TO PUT IN.. THERE'S BEAUTIFUL ART THAT COMES OUT FROM PRISON WITHOUT THE FANCY IRONS AND NEEDLES.. IT'S HOW THEY DEVELOPE THEIR SKILL.. AND THAT APPLIES TO EVERYTHING TO TUNNING AND TWIKING..AND YEA FUCK A HATER.. THE ASSHOLE THANT CAN'T GIVE YOU A WORD OF ADVICE..AND IT IS TRUE SOME ONE THAT GETS WORK DONE AT HOME IS BECAUSE THEY WONT GO TO A SHOP TO BEGIN WITH SO THEY AINT LOOSING OUT.. ME I RATHER BE MOBILE.. I HAVE A MICKEY LINER AND PAUL SHADER AND MY OWN BIULT IRONS.THEY ALL WORK FINE TO ME HEY I LOVE INK ON SKIN AND IT LOVES ME BACK..

ANYTHING by Pulse Nex Gen FK Irons Axis Irons END now go fuck yourselvs

Danny Fowler is the best! I got me an aluminum G2 liner, and it cant be beat.

I love my spaulding puma machine, actually...i ordered a new machine again, the OLD STYLE Spaulding, flat black color, springs are blue finished, i used my puma when i was inked, it runs great, i was inked at 11am and finished at 5pm, nothing happens with the machine, those who has problem with their spaulding, maybe u dont know how to use it or take care of your machine hahahahha! adios amigos!!!

i have to say ted ted machines, had them forever and they do the job and i have the rest. ted ted machines are worth their weight in gold, always work, never heat up, run on low volts, and i have won many many awards with them. so ted ted king of the dead got me props!!

Hey folks, check out our new site dedicated to Tattoo Machines. Tattoo Machines NOW has tattoo machine reviews, interviews with artists and tattoo machine builders, a catalog of machines for sale to professional tattooers, password protected tattoo machine forums... professional tattooers, check it out and let us know what you think!

i love critical tattoo machine and sobra they ar ethe best

The best Tattoo machine is REVOLUTION By Spaulding and Rogers Mfg Co Cause lightweigt antibacterical and it works like a drawing pen Thanks Huck Thank you an your company I am so glad to work with your products since 1995 Emrah Red Cat Tattoo Factory www.redcattattoo.com www.tattoomatic.com

I use mainly Aaron Cain Machines. there sweet machines. I use nothing but Soba Work Horse Irons. Order you one you definitely wont be disapointed

man.. all u artists need to chill out on these imspiring artist... "ooo u need an appri. blah blah".. " dont talk to us, scratcher "u guys are a joke... be real, help out some people, give some good answers, so others dont jack-up people's body.. encourage these dudes, n give good advice, except.. "get with a shop"...fuk'n bags, man

Weve gone over it again and again, if their art was any good, there are plenty of folks willing to help. In any event, professional tattooers should check out Tattoo Machines NOW for loads of info on tattoo machines.

What about the machines from superior tattoo supplies?I have a gun id like to re-build and want to learn how but have no -one to teach me,i love art,ive been drawing all my life,and will find an apprenticeship b4 i EVER stick an iron to skin,no fried skin?

could of swore i posted in here before maybes not fav machine is paul rogers others are danny fowlers stripped and rebuilt international stripped and rebuilt and many others

my favorite machine is the one i made out of old m16/m4 brass one thing to mention is i see alot of these "artist" talking about scratchers and the fact of needing an apprenticeship. i think not you, need to find a real artist who will teach you all you need to know you not always in a shop and you dont always have to pay for it i payed 5000 for my first one and got screwed guy up and left after 3 weeks and no one else in the shop would teach me then i joined the army and got sent to germany after being in germany for 6 months i was getting work done one day and talked to my artist and we decided he would come to my house teach me and all i had to do is have my wife cook dinner for him after 5 months of this i got orders to go to iraq 2 days later je comes to me with a certifacate saying im now a tattoo artist (germans dont need this to tattoo) now after 2 years of tattoo i opened my own shop and have 2 guys under me FOR ALL YOU WANTING TO LEARN do exactly that before you go and waist you time and $100 on a cheap asain tattoo kit and for all you who like to make your own check this out http://www.baltimorestreetirons.com/

In my set up: i have an orig. Owen Jensen machine, springs are the orig. 40 years or so and never broke a spring, use this for my heavy lining. My main shader is a KING OF THE DEAD machine, i had this machine for almost 10years now, great and strong, never broke a spring or had to adjust it in any way. In my daily set up is 4 machines: my Owen Jenson liner My Ted Ted king of the Dead liner My Orig. Jonesey shader, no cap. My Ted Ted King of the Dead shader. These are my favs. Been at the game for almost 27years, Worked with Jack Rudy, And many others. My collection consist of builders like: Sailor Jerry 3 ORIG. machines, 2 Owen Jenson machines, Zeke Owens machine, Orig. Bill jones machine, Jack Armstrong machine, Mike Brown machine, Juan Puente machines 3, Orig. Paul Rogers machines 2, Catfish Carl, some older Huch Spualdings, Mike Malone, A orig. Greg Irons, Aaron Cain machines 3, Mike Wilson, Mike Pike/Erine c. combo built by Erinie, A orig. Cap Coleman, Orig. Col. Todd machines 2, Afew Next Gens. 4, Soba Rusto, Little Vinnie machine, King of the Dead machines 4, Danny Knight machine, Gus from Japan, Texas Custom Iron from Todd, Afew Garage Irons by Bernard 2, Time Macjine 3, Joey D., FKI, and many more. Are you droling yet? MY favs are out of these would be the Jenson. Ted Ted king of the Dead, and my Bill Jones machines. I love them all but those are in my daily set up. So i say that is my opion. Be lucky and happy tattooing.

im an australian tattoo artist. 1 thing i cant stand is every bloody site i go to there is little fuckin backyarders putting there bit into a site i have one thing to say to them. fuck off im sick of fixing their fuck ups makes me sick. get a fucken apprenticship and stop wasting our time. back yarder have no say wen it comes to the tattoo world. oh and i love using my swashdrive machine awsome machine wen used at the correct voltage i aso just started using the new stigma hybred another awsome machine but to light i find to do bold outlining need more counter weight. cheers fellers

I tried to read these dumbass posts and holdmy tongue but I can't. Most of you are so fucking clueless its pathetic. I don't want to hear about how your lame ass learned to "tat" in prison. The word is tattoo jerkoff, and no you can't tattoo, you suck. I don't want to hear your sob stories about how hard it is to find an apprenticeship. My aprenticeship was hell and I'm better for it. STOP repeatedly saying "gun", get a light "gun"..blah. blah fucking blah. Its a MACHINE retard. If you came in to my shop and said gun like that, id show you a fucking gun. The .40 cal desert eagle I keep in my top drawer and run you out into the streat where you belong. I know chick tattooers w more balls than you fucktards. Atleast they got an aprenticeship, learned how to tattoo, and how to properly call a machine a machine,without bitching on some blog about their treatment. You don't deserve to be told shit because you haven't earned it. Go fuck yourselves and stop doing fucked up tattoos that reall tattooers have to cover up. Dueces.

the best machines are the ones that you assemble yourself. i buy the cheap chinese machines for a frame and then change everything on it to my liking. springs, coils, armature bar, contact screw. you need to know how everything works on a machine to adjust it to how you want it to run. but my favorite shape frame is the rogers U/J frame. http://www.mickysharpzusa.com/images/machines/large/005bp.jpg

soba till death!

There is no best machine everyone has there favorites that feel right for them

I'd have to say that my left handed Aaron Caine custom liner circa 2010 is the nicest one I have ever used.

my favs are my own. cut up some quality steel, braze it up, wrap up some Krowknows cores with some 24awg. bolt it all together and tune that creation to buzz nice and sweet...... thats art my friends!!!! love building what i use

It is good to share some info. but on the other hand, you see people buying machines and fucking them up, it doesn't matter who made it if it is in the wrong hands. shit i could tell you who's machines i use, and swear up and down they are the shit because it works for me. but really when this info gets to people out there and in the wrong hands it is because of this stupid shit. i have been professionally tattooing now for over 32 years. this info was just not put out there in to the world, it was hard work, and i recommend to everyone to get an apprenticeship learn the real way. you will learn on who's making good machines, make your own dam needles, and best of all if you are even cut for the game of tattooing, really its not a game it is a life style. so fucking go to conventions and learn shit, quit dropping names on the Internet of your favorite builders, so fucking what. this info should be kept private and kept a secret. really, are you younger tattooers just that stupid? yeah i am in a shop, it has been around for dam near 25years. yeah i know the names of some great builders, but public info on the Internet is not good, you may as well get a shirt made that reads yeah i am a stupid tattooer and i share my info with people tattooing at home. if this was a big dick contest i am sure most of you have already flunked. you are almost all fuck en rock stars that got egotistic heads and should have your hands bust with a ball peen hammer. oh the good days.

FKI

The best machine's are the Dringenberg Machines by far i have the P2 edition's. These machine's are able to withstand hours and hours of tattooing and never slow down,ok the machine's might have cost 600 + but there worth the money for any professional tattooist.i'm only 22 and i've been tattooing 8 years have my own studio and these machine's make life alot easier.:P

i don't know who's more retarded, the posting about a puma being worth much, or your's for actually believeing he was serious about the whole thing! just shows how long you've been around this industry...what's funny is that in a few years you'll look back at your posting and see how stupid you sound,like the rest of us now do

its not the arrow but the indian, if you can tattoo the machine doesn't matter that much at all, your going to try all the different combos of coils, springs, capacitors, if you do tattoo, I would say as far as production Pulse, but again it aint the arrow I promise.

world wide sucks .huck is pretty good but if you want something decent go to papillons .they are really good.excelent customer service.

from my experience huck spaulding has some pretty smooth running machines theyre power supply that lunch box is great.its a good kit to start out with.but a good pro equipment you get at papillons tattoo supply.

from my experience huck spaulding has some pretty smooth running machines theyre power supply that lunch box is great.its a good kit to start out with.but a good pro equipment you get at papillons tattoo supply.

from my experience huck spaulding has some pretty smooth running machines theyre power supply that lunch box is great.its a good kit to start out with.but a good pro equipment you get at papillons tattoo supply.

its not the arrow its the indian and most good artist are going to have tried them all and know what they like, workhorse,pulse,mickey sharps, etc. are all production although decent enough their are 10k of them running the same exact way, My builder builds exactly what I want and exactly how I want it then again if your some new mommy paid for my apprenticeship asshat, the above machines will be perfect and just throw them away when a screw comes loose, I personally use Black Lotus, www.blacklotus-tattoo.com and will use them for life, Again its what you can do your best work with and any of use can pick up a 10 buck cam and do an excellent tattoo, its when you get into the upper echelons of knowing what combinations of springs,coils,capacitors, etc. works best for you, and the only way to do this is through an apprenticeship which arent even real anymore, go through one where you gotta make yours and your apprentors needles for the day, yeah make. Learn and respect the history first and foremost of Americana tattooing or you wont get far to begin with. -D

Talking about Kaplan Machines. I have been using a pair of heavy brass east coast machines for over 15yrs. Used them for about 5 years, and had to rebuild. (I did have to tweak them a little at first) Now only use the frames. All other parts are from different companies. I mixed, and matched to get them to run like I wanted. Tried to buy a couple more a few months ago but they said they discontinued all the brass machines. Bummer! The first thing you should know is how a machine works, and how to properly tune one. Then you find your style, and tune your machine accordingly. All in all I really love my Kaplan machines. I just wished they still made the brass machines. Would love to have a couple of brass old style Jonesy machines...

Aaron Cain, Mike Malone, Adam Ciferri, Ernie Carafa, Bowery Stan, Dano Collins, Fast Eddy but bottom line is if you can't make it work for you it doesn't matter how much you spend and who you buy it won't make any difference to your work. I've used many top builders and some machines I can't get along with, Joshua Carlton, Seth Ciferri, Dringenberg, Moniz, Micky sharpz, I couldn't get them to work for me doesn't mean they're bad. Experiment and and learn how to fine tune your equipment for your hand and style, not everybody likes cheese and some people are down right allergic but then again some people love it...

Aaron Cain, Mike Malone, Adam Ciferri, Ernie Carafa, Bowery Stan, Dano Collins, Fast Eddy but bottom line is if you can't make it work for you it doesn't matter how much you spend and who you buy it won't make any difference to your work. I've used many top builders and some machines I can't get along with, Joshua Carlton, Seth Ciferri, Dringenberg, Moniz, Micky sharpz, I couldn't get them to work for me doesn't mean they're bad. Experiment and and learn how to fine tune your equipment for your hand and style, not everybody likes cheese and some people are down right allergic but then again some people love it...

man huck spaulding sucks but the lunch box is really good the ones i work with are fk irons .,papillons,aaron,stigma.but the mickey sharps are for mickey mouse they suck .and also .international has very low cost machines but very good the only bad thing is when the chuck gets fucked up ur fucked but run really good .

Help ! My husband is currently doing his apprenticeship ..with valentines day around the corner I would love to get him his first shadower liner machines however I know nothing about tattoo machines ?

Well it's true a decent built machine in a great artists hand makes a great tattoo but I've found a great tattoo machine makes my life easier. What makes a great tattoo machine? In my opinion a few things: geometry (is shit straight and in the right place(s) :material does it conduct what you need or not need it to efficiently? So by this criteria there's tons of great and shitty machines some are hand built some are "production" and to you Spaulding haters did you know that some really great machines were just rebuilt Spaulding machines? Yes I have my issues with the company but that's not what we're talking about don't forget Paul Rogers designed and made some of the best machines ever! and as for Mickey Sharpz, I use a Mickey sharpz machine as do sooo many others why do so many people use them? If you have to ask... Anyways they're just one of a billion great machines so want a good machine? want to support a founder of our art or someone newer buy their machine if it's got good geometry and it's made from good material, and if you don't like it rebuild it. make it work for you even if it takes countless hours because it should save you time in the long run and give you something to do when it's slow, anyways that my 5 cents.

ok, now i know not to listen to anything on these threads, i started out working with spaulding machines 22 years ago and i would still buy one today, they are very well made and smooth running machines, yes the lunchbox sucks, just buy a different one from another supplier. whoever disses these machines must be working for another company.