Opinions on tattoo machines

I've been tattooing for 7 years now, and only within the last few months have I realized that I've been doing it the hard way... I recently had the pleasure of borrowing both a Micky Sharpz machine, and a Paolini. I couldn't believe how much easier my job was all of a sudden! At any rate, I'm looking for some opinions. I'm going to be buying some new machines... at least a new shader for now. Have any of you artists had any experience with either/both machines, and how do you think they stack up against each other? Any help or opinions are awesome, thanks.

i have a set of Micky Sharpz Contraptions and there great machines....smooth running and very precise i've also used the Telephone Dial and Micro Dial machines...they run almost identical to the Contraptions the machines i find myself mostly using are a set of aluminum Next Generation Orions...these machines are outstanding...i can't say enough good things about them...i have mine with the half coils...they only weigh like 5oz. i match them up with nylon Pulse grips...and they feel perfectly balanced. you should also check out Next Gens tubes and tips....i have'nt used anything else since i tried them i have'nt used them yet..but Pulse machines are supposed to be awesome to....i'm pretty sure that like 75% of the artists on TATTOONOW use them.....that says somthing http://www.nextgenerationtm.com http://pulsetattoogear.com http://www.mickysharpzusa.com

Thanks, Jeff... I've never even heard of the next gens before. I'll have to do some more research after all!

www.pulsetattoo.com

Im a die hard Danny Fowler . Invaders, G2, and of course the time machines... lifetime warrenty super reliable, never any problems i have been using DFowlers since 98 and the still run with minimal tuning But like any thing you take care of them they take care of you

I have a Next Gen. Eclipse and an Orion, They are both EXCELLENT MACHINES, one factor that I like is that they are made with Eikon components. Best in the industry. As for handmade machines, I STRONGLY suggest Steve Turner www.turnermade.com

I like next gen. aircraft aluminum half coil for its ligh frame.But only for doing solid work.They are not very good for my style of working with subtle tones in gray wash.But are excellent for solid work.I also have a mickey sharps that i got from england years ago were they originaly were made and it is a great all around.But i found that the newer sharps machines i do not like as much when i called them they insist that they are made the same but i dont feel that way.For gray wash i like my old sharps and my technical sharps. And next genaration for solid work.The most important thing i found is the duty cycle thats basically how much the gap is between the contact point and the front spring.Also the spring tension. The machines i have mentioned happen to be set up closer to the way i work.But may not work for you. There are alot of great machhines you just have to set up, or find one that is set up for your style and speed.A next gen. set up weird will suck to.Set up is key Good Luck happy new year

I like Kaotics' Orgasmo.

Personally, I like handmades. www.badbrass.com

I bought two of Danny Fowlers Machines three months ago, a Flashback Liner and a G2 Shader... I couldnt believe what was happening when I used them the first time. I felt like a blind who could all of a sudden see, like riding a bike the whole life and suddenly sitting in a porsche. These machines are fantastic, they love the skin, they dont hurt it. Even the healing process is faster and smoother since I use them. Thanks to Danny Fowler! Greetings from Germany

I`VE BEEN USING TIME MACHINES ( DANNY FOWLER) FOR 5 YEARS AND LOVE THEM. TUNAGE IS KEY ON ANY MACHINE..PEACE

I have had the oppertunity to try a few of the different brands that are out there, while most of the machines I have seen and tried are good machines, there are sooooooo many people producing machines these days it is hard to keep up with who is making what. Personally the best machine ive ever had is a Jonsey style built by Philadelphia Eddie, solid brass frame with custom wound coils. the original hand wound coils are still on that frame and it still hits way hard. another favorite of mine is my National Precision Swing Gate both machines are built to last. be carefull when buying new machines, as alot ive seen are being mass produced and made from cheap materials. I am not sure why, but I am seeing alot of machines being sold by "some company" that have crappy steel contact screws, and no contact points on the springs, this has got to make for one shitty running machine. some of the best machines available are made by Professionals in the industry, these machines are made by people who have a great understanding of a "quality machine" Spider Webb makes an awsome machine. I am hoping to be releasing my own brand machine soon, it will be called The Mortician, keep an eye out for it.

Can't wait...T

hmmm.. i own about 30 machines with no contact points on the springs all made by some of the best machine builders in the business and they run great. i think contact points on front springs went out with all the wizards and castles in the late 80's...

man i haven't seen a contact point on a machine in years. my new work horse irons, and pulse machines, didn't come with them. most good machines will come with hand cut springs or eikon springs.

I haven't used springs with contact points for years.....what is he talking about???

ok big tip here for u guys, if you run a nickle-silver screw with a silver point your machine will run 100% better and can be tuned with more precision

WOW!!...I guess that means the people at Eikon, Pulse, Next generation ,Workhorse irons and National need somebody to clue them in cause all their springs have no contact points ( you can special order springs with contact points from national but they come with straight springs ...I dunno Lord Mortis...I have not used any with the contact points for years...now ya got me thinkin I better dig out my old box O crap and try some and see if it improves things...ain't saying yer wrong pal ...I just need to experiment...TAz

sure, I hear ya bro. maybe its me that hasnt left the "stone age" but do try it, you may like what you come up with.... but ive got to be honest im thinking on trying something with out points... just to see for my self. by the way, have any of you tried using different sized capcitors?? you would be amazed at what you can accomplish with your machines by increasing and decreasing capacitor ratings let me know how what you thing about running with that screw/point combo

sorry, it seems I may have broken a cardinal rule of the site from my last couple posts....sorry gabe please delete them or append them as necessary. I wont be upset at all.

OK mortis ol pal...I tried usin springs w contacts and a silver screw...machine ran a bit smoother...but not as much power...I'll stick with no points but heck it was worth a try!,,,Thanks..T

no worries, just keep it to a minimum. Im too busy to be censor-crazy and everyone has to put up with my posts...

and for the record, I use macs primarily but test on pcs. The macs take about a year to break, the PCs seem to be broken out of the box. Im one of those guys who needs somone else to tune my equipment for me otherwise it breaks down and Im useless.

I have been tattooin for 15 years, I have used 100s of different machines. My East coast Kaplan machines are by far slammin. Of course they have been tweeked with many different parts. I feel if you know what you are doin with machines, you can twist and tweek any machine to jam and slam. There are some guys out of centraila IL. that are building some bad @ss machines, and you dont have to do any tweekin. (Bare Knuckel machines) daddy "O"s tattoos.

I don't know anything about tattoo machines but I do know it's a lot of fun to hear Skittlez say Orgasmo. I'd like to hear it again.