tattoo machine..??

i want to buy a tattoo machine..please suggest which is the best pick??

First thing is first....every artist will find a machine that they prefer over all others, but the same machine will not be right for you. Guy Aitchison pointed me to Next Generation, and I also have a workhorse iron that I wouldn't part with for any amount of money. Paul Booth goes with Mickey Sharpz, Bob Tyrrell goes with Pulse, it's all preference really. You have to consider the application you are going for since frame geometry does play into it too. Taz seems to prefer hotsparks machines, which I don't have any experience with them so I can't vouch. Most machine builders like Joe Ryan, Aaron Cain, Seth Cifferi...those guys will make excellent running machines and they don't lose their attention after building so many of them. Some artists prefer to build their own machines, so you may find better luck hot rodding your own. Good luck, J

What he said...great post J...Thanks!...TAz

No problem, I am just here to help out where I can. We all begin somewhere and I think it is important that all artists remember that when someone poses a question. I will never get out of line and come off as abrasive if someone asks a question deemed "a newbie question". If I have the answer, I will elaborate to the fullest of my ability. CK, keep us informed of what you wind up doing, it is always good to talk to up and coming artists. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. And again, good luck. J

And a little more food for thought...most artists prefer to work with atleast 2 machines. A short stroke, fast liner and a longer stroke slower running shader. I myself have 9 machines, all for various applications from black and grey, color, fine line, heavy line to tribal. Like I said earlier, I prefer to use NG and Workhorse Irons. NG's and any machine Joe Ryan makes are fully adjustable so you can make a liner and a shader out of the same machine frame. One machine is a recipe for disaster and won't give you stable working results. If you are in the middle of a tattoo and the one machine dies, it is good to have atleast one back up just incase. All off Joe's machines are guaranteed for life barring any major alterations. Under no circumstance will a machine make you a better artist, it all lies in your ability. The machine is just an extension of you, so keep that in mind. Many artists can take a junk machine and turn it into a daily driver, but that comes with experience. The machine should work for the artist, not the other way around. Alot of times, people fight their machines to get them to run how they want, and it doesn't appeal to the customer who entrusts their skin to you. Just go with quality machine parts that support one another. Eikon device offers a great line of professional equipment, so I would start there. Some guys use an armature bar that is too heavy for their liner so they compensate by using heavy springs to speed the machine up. End result being a needed increase in voltage. Make sure you know how you want the machine to run before you put it together, provided you go with building your own. BALANCE is the key, there is a difference between a running machine and a working machine.

Great posts here ...a lot of valuable info...use it!

Thank you again for the kind words, Taz. As he said, there is alot of great info not only on this post, but on this forum. Do not get discouraged if you don't get the answer you want. There are alot of technical aspects of tattooing that should be left to a teacher to teach the apprentice, others are only to help those established get better. I am new to this site and do not mean to disrespect the administrators by giving out too much info. There are plenty of forums that will delve more into detail than I can get into, but I do post on alot of them and will be glad to help those willing to learn. After all, knowledge is power and the better you understand a system, the better you can make it work. In the meanwhile, readstreettattoo.com, hyperspacestudios.com, darkimages.com....all great places to get into forums to learn. "scratching" is not encouraged here or anywhere. There are parlors out there that offer labor in exchange for teaching, so heads up to those of you that cannot shell out the fee up front. If you are dedicated enough, you will pursue it and part seas to keep with it. Apprentices are just like college, you pay to learn a trade. Keep with it though and you will be forever glad you did. J

Ay. Maybe I should just crawl back under the rock I came from. Scatching is not encouraged and all.. And yet.. So very little pro's that don't have tat's walking around they are not the proudest off. Pretty much my biggest pet peave with the "community". We all started somewhere. Some of us had the luxury of starting in a shop, some started underground. Lots failed in the shop and lots failed underground. In the end, it's the drive that counts. Whatever your drive is, for most of us its turning you in a more beautifull you. The machine is secondary. Ive seen prisontat's done with machine's made out of casseterecorderparts and ballpointleftovers that would make michelangelo blush, and I've seen absolute junk done by folks in the business for decades. The answer to what the best machine is, is in my opinion nobody knows. I started out with superior flame machines. Wanted to do the right thing right off the bat. Beautifull matching powersupply and absolute diesels of machines. One problem. Feels like trying to tattoo with a tennisracket. Wore me out so fast I had to stop way too many times through working. Ended up with a simple set of lightweight machines after my mentor told me that my highclass machines were the problem. No. No idea where he got 'm.Says he had the frames since the 70's. Far simpler design than the superiors. Look far more flimsy. Tell you what though. It all comes down to the machine that gets you through a busy day. Even to the most talented, the machine is the tool. You are the artist. Some carpenters like a heavy hammer, some butchers like blunt knives. In the end, the cabinet and the steak tell the story about the ability of the craftsman. And despite the fact that most will try and make you believe different, In some basement somewhere is a wobbly workbench that the carpenter is not all that proud off. Best of luck and love to all.. Lowflyingdutchman.

NO TAZ NO TELL HIM TO GO FOR MICKEYS'' lol. hows it goin pal. i know you hate my mickeys but i had to put in my two cents. later bro

Those machines you guys mention are the best of the best but only exclusive for licensed tattooists & only deliver in a tattoo shops. How about theses machines? www.supplytattoo.com & www.unimaxsupply.com I am beginner, never done any tattoo. But will start my apprenticeship soon... So any advice on how & where to get a decent machine that's available for the public will be greatly appreciated... Thanks fellas.

Supply tattoo sells inferior machines in my opinion just remember like J said above the machine is just the tool I have seen masterpieces done with a cassete motor and sharpened guitar string.Its not so much the mahine its the hand that holds it.But a good machine can make tattooing so much easier!

Flip, Try this...go to www.machinegunmagazine.com and read up on all the machine parts. www.internationaltattoosupply.com, Dermagraphics.com, www.pappilonsupply.com... look around a bit, you may have luck in building your own. As silly dutchman said, scratching is not encouraged, but while there are places that will sell to the general public, but use it as a chance to take advantage of learning the machine and its capabilities before you move to skin. Sure, there have been cases of people using tape deck parts to tattoo and while they may look ok, you are really not going to want to have a shitty machine, or one you have to fight all the time. Your machine should work for you, not the other way around. A friend of mine said that it isnt always the spear, its the Indian...meaning its all in the hand that holds it. Good luck with your apprenticeship and email me if I can help any further. J

What he said.There is alot of info on machines out there,just don't take everything as bible.Try Eikons site for a lot of tech stuff about springs abars and angles.Good luck!Don't forget your BBP,CC and other safety homework.

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http://www.mickysharpzusa.com Great post ! thanks!

Like others have mentioned, it is an artists preference. I have 5 machines now. I am in love with Martini Machines. Most of the better quality machines are for "pro's" only. If you are starting an apprenticeship, have the shops owner purchase you a machine. If you are going it alone. Do some research and buy a nice used machine. Sharpz are a nice iron, however, a bit heavy for my liking.

HI!!! Can someone please offer me what they know about the pneumatic machines??? also would you suggest, standard, long or short stroke for a beginner.. I've just landed an apprenticeship and would like to start out with the latest state of the art equipment.