Tattoo Machine ?

Has anyone had any experiences with Danny Fowler's Time Machine "G Force" or any of his other machines? Good or bad? Was told they are the $hit, because they are "fully adjustable"but would like some second opinions before I purchase a liner and a shader. What are your machines of choice and why? Are aluminum machines easier to get used to because they are lighter, (less hand fatigue?) or do I need to go the more traditional (heavy iron) route? I'm less than a month into my apprenticeship, and researching different machines out there, but the quantities of them are overwelming. I'm more interested in a quality machine that's going to be dependable and last. I've heard you better have a quality machine to do quality work? Is there really that big of a difference between the different manufactures? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

These are all questions you should be addressing to your mentor. If you're only one month into your apprenticeship, you may not even be ready to be thinking about the type of machine you should be using. Either way, your mentor should be able to guide you into that direction, and after that, you can start experimenting with different things that suit you. If you don't have enough faith in whoever you're apprenticeing under, it may be time to seek out another apprenticeship, but remember, patience is key.

Thanks for your reply Krystof. I asked that question because my mentors beliefs are, "only use time machines from Fowler", was hoping for other opinions on what others are using and how satisfied they are with them. I'm sure there are other machines out there that are as good or better, in his honest opinion there are not. I'm only getting input from one source, was wanting feedback from others and their experiences with other machines. I'm financially able at the moment to purchase some machine, I may not be in the same position later when I need them. I fully realize that I'm not ready to use them at this time, but would like to learn, (whichever brand machine I end up getting) inside and out. Help me out, what do you use and why? Thanks again.

Follow your mentor..Time Machine is used by plenty of fine artists and you won't be wasting money.You'll end up trying out numerous machines if you stay in the field,be patient ..your first tattoos can be put on just fine with TM

I heard alot of good things about PULSE machines. Maybe check out what the most sucessful or your favorite artists are using and draw conclusions from that. The more ppl you talk to the more info you'll soak up for when its your turn to make a purchase. Some artists have thier own sites and answer questions with little problem All or Nothing is a big PULSE shop. Ask Bond or any of his crew. Carlton was using them too b/4 he took off )I think he makes all his own needles tho) I'm not sure what Albie Rock uses but I like some of thier work Good luck

you could go for a Invader from Fowler, or a dial from Micky Sharpz,personnaly i use a Coastal Waters for lining and the Invader for shading. plus i've tested some machines from e-bay( and dont do the same mistake i've done) and you should buy brand new! you should try on workhorseirons.com the machines from Ciferri and Soba are the bomb!! hope it helped you a bit. Good tattooing !!

Hey, im a profeesional tattoo artist and I use the danny fowler g force, its a great machine! Havent had any problems with it, also the great thing about danny fowler is that if your machine needs to be adjusted you just send it in to hime and he will do that for free. But if you were to adjust it you void your warrenty. Just a fyi there for ya!! BUt yes great machine!!

ive considered running time machines....but then i heard from a reliable resource that all the movable parts and adjustable thingamajigs come loose when you use them alot....i work in a high volume shop and i definitley dont need that shit happening....my first few machines were a mickey sharpz t dial and and a mickey sharpz rogers.....solid machines...worth every penny...now i tend to use machines that are custom built....but i also get machines from workhorse.....the soba machines(pilot) are top notch,solid running machines...a great addition to anyones arsenal...if your looking to drop some money...ive also used a next generation machine made out of aircraft aluminum...guy aitchinson supposedly uses this machine....it runs fast and its very light...its half coils pack color in....but its not for begginers...also check out kavemetalworks.com...im certainly not downplaying any of fowlers machines....but when it comes down to more bang for your buck....the spectrum is broad my friend

Time machine are crap crap crap. The frame is made out of lots of parts. Not solid. Go to pulse international and pick up the gaspy.

there are many good machines out there and even more knock off or poor quality machines. I would purchase any machine that your teacher or professional recomends since you will probably aquire many machines in your future in tattoing {I own over 10 right now}. I will give you my suggestion about the light weight alluminum machines , they are light but very loud! if you want light weight and quiet try checking out the new linear machines, I just ordered one but have not tried it yet! huck spaulding make a few

Like Krystof said listen to your mentor but still be patient...There are soooo many good machines out there as for the post about time machines being crap...well consider the source! Look at the name on the post!...one of my apprentices just bought a pulse watson and its been sittin in a drawer nearly ever since he got it...not because its a bad machine but the vice is waaaay too tight and a tube won't fit in it without forcing it. Thats how it came out of the box! A lot of great artists use time machine stuff an dlove them...the same with pulse,national,soba, workhorse etc hell i've seen beautiful work come from a cassette motor with a guitar strind needle (DON"T TRY THAT!!!) When it comes down to it its trial and error...I use National eagles generally but hell I own and use over 30 machines not countin the ones packed away in boxes! Hate to give you a non answer but just bein honest!!!!!!

I would asked how to set up a machine first.I have used at least 20 different machines and have noticed that some tend to run better for a solid color tattoo.That same machine makes choppy graywash and the same in reverse.Almost any machine can do the job if it is set up to work for your speed and style.I have never purchased a machine and just used it the way it came in the book.All the machines everyone has listed can work.As you go you will see what you would like the machine to do.

Yeah! what murphy said...beleeve dat dammit!!...T

there is some solid advice in this post. i think you should buy a soba pilot machine KIT from work horse irons. they make the only good machine kits i know of. with a kit you'll learn how to put a machine together, and that is knowlage that you'll need and that will help you alot. if you can't put a machine together and tune it then you don't need to be a tattooist. i'm sure your mentor will agree and help you put it together. work horse irons has liner and shader kits for $150 each. so you could get a nice pair of machines for $300, and knowlage to last you a life time.

I would say start off with a non adjustable machine. I happen to have bought 2 Original Time Machine's when I first started, and I still use them and like them. The drawback to having a fully adjustable machine, is it's fully adjustable. There's more room for error and more frustration trying to figure out why it's breaking springs (which one of mine did straight out of the box, they had shimmed the rear coil too high and it was bending over) or some other strange activity. A less adjustable one will give you time to really learn the mechanics of a machine before moving on to something more adjustable, and subsequently, more fickle. Just my 2 cents, though.

I HAVE BEEN A TATTOOIST FOR 12 YEARS NOW, I OWN 2 STUDIOS HERE IN NEW YORK, I HAVE TRIED ALL SORTS OF MACHINES AND MY EVERYDAY ONES ARE UNIMAX'S IRON STAR [ LINER] AND AN APOLLO [ SHADER].....I LOVE THESE MACHINES AND I PUT OUT KICK AZZ TATTS WITH THESE MACHINES !!!

definitelly Workhorse irons, the best machinery. They run super smooth and constantly under small voltage. I would never go for unimax supply or something like that anymore....sorry you guys who like them, Its just my opinion...

i currently have three time machines, invader, g-2, & flashback. i love everything about these machines, but don't limit yourself. i also have 2 of nationals machines and am getting ready to order my first sharpz machine.

i know alot of artist love time machines. but i tried a few and hated them. i use work horse irons and pulse machines everyday. i also have mickey sharpz and national. that are great machines.

I have 6 time machines. There is no doubt that they are great little machines....I haven't had mine out for a year or two now so I guess I need to dust em off and put em back to work...I am just so used to my National precision swing gates and Eagles that I sometimes forget about all the others..and the Time machines can be finicky, maybe a bit TOO adjustable...face it folks, we ain't all geniuses like Danny!...At least I'm not! It just comes down to personal preference I believe, not price or name brand...hell for a long long time everybody thought they were the shit if they had a Spaulding and Rogers Puma which in my humble opinion sucks ass.Then the fad for a short time was Huck Spauldings Revolution,well until they actully used the piece of shit! My all time favorite machine that now occupies a place of honor on my fireplace is the ugly little blue spray painted machine that Jack Armstrong made for me.....it ain't the best machine in the world but its a piece of history that I could never place a price on...that and my Paul Rogers built by Filip Lieu....neither of these machines will ever do another tattoo but they are sooo special...TAz

Hmmm... I've used all sorts of machines since i started. Spaulding, Pulse, Mickey Sharpz, and Workhorse Irons. The best by far are my Workhorses. As was stated, they do a great job under low voltage and take all the work and stress out of it. My Pulse shader is kick ass as well. The guy who taught me how to tattoo used Time Machines for a while. Personally i think they're horrible, but i know that there are plenty of people out there doing killer work with them. I guess thats why there are so many different manufacturers and styles of machines; Everyone has a different style of tattooing and what might work great for one guy might be crap for the next.

Just like shoes man....it takes all kinds to make everyone happy but when push comes to shove a real artist can do killaz with damn near anything!' Congrats for Mario JUST GOT MARRIED!!!....How did an ugly mug like you get a princess like that??...Just joshin pal! And thanks for the wedding pics...they were awesome!...Wish I coulda been there! And you are doin killer tattoos buddy...keep it up...no slackin fer you pal!...See Ya!...Uncle TAz

Ive used alot of different machine...both owned and used from others @ shows and doing guest spots. I now own two mickeys, three pulse, 2 seth ceffari and a national swingate ive had for eons. The only one's i ever really use are my Ceffari's but that works best for my style, the size of work I usually do (large scale) and technique. I think rather than going out to other artists asking about machines...why not go to the guys who build em??? I know if you talk to someone who isnt on a ego trip (like Seth) he would help you get a good understanding of what your needs may be and lead you in the right direction. All the guys at pulse are really helpful as well, if not just ask Jennifer, (the phone girl) she probably would be able to help you better than most tattoo artists...lol. (chic rocks!!). I would have to say as a new artist you would be better off staying away from a machine that is so adjustable. Not because they are bad but more because you are going to have enough work set out for you learning to master technique and theory, you dont need to have to always worry about how your machines are running. Especially since you probably wouldnt know if they were running good or not or what to look for, as well as how to fix it ( in a pinch) if you needed too. It takes us all time to learn these things...some never do. Stay basic....start simple and build. Thats the true moto of a pro- tattoo lover and artist. Not a life-long motto but damn close. I truly wish you all the best. You have any questions my email addy is above, I would be happy to help in any way I can anytime. Be blessed bro and enjoy your start!! Its a life....not just an art. Adios AB

I've been a professional tattooist for 22 yrs and used a shit load of tattoo machines....Micky's, Nationals,(SnR for the beginner)customs, you name it i've had the plesures of using them. Any way I just happened to come across 2 prototype Danny Fowler machines and used em around 4 to 5 years. Handed em down to my oldest boy, and bought 3; G-forces........( 3 yrs ago ) I've yet to even ajust even one of em........and yes...I'm a very fast action kinda guy !!!!! High volume fast action tattooist..what takes most tattooist 4 hours to do .......I do in 1 1/2 hours and Im not into playin around with my machines when I've got 8 people in line.....(Joe Caplins are the worst machines I've ever used ).......I still have 16 or so machines that I'll keep around for barginin but, that don't mean there bad machines coz they still run hard.Cheap machines are cheap all the way around.......but alot of spendy machines are junk too.........you arnt gonna find whats good for you if you only used a few.........what really counts is a steady pulse a good hard throw and low vibration. Also an easy change of yer tubes is important.....ya don't need high volts and high power or alot of noise to throw a premo line.....Long lines. ya need a smoth runnin machine......

to NOMAD, albie rock uses pulse exclusively. his reasoning to me was that. "dude im from connecticut thats what you have to use." again that was his reply to the inks he was using. which was starbright. so im guessing everything else he uses is pulse or connecticut based. pulse needles, grips, and all that. (although he tattoos an hour away from me in newhampshire) I believe he tattooed me with a Watson. I dont know about albie though. I specifically went to him with one of my designs. It was mostly linework with a rough greywork for coloring concepts. Maybe he didnt like the image because he definitely rushed through it. Wiggly lines, tons of color fallout. It was definitely a powerline image, but its alll 7 Line one shot, even though some should have gotten another run. and it was way overpriced. I know i didnt like his attitude (massive ego, and hell admit it) and he shit talked nick baxter so much it got annoying, i wont get tattooed by him ever again. but on the pros. Hes totally open about his technique, what he uses, where he came from, who he worked under. I learned alot getting tattooed from him, Its all in his setup. Next time ill just watch him work. and block my ears.

Hey Vish...Is there any way we could see what Albie did on ya?...I know I'd love to see it!!

yeah ill get a pic at the shop tuesday when we open up. its a skull with its head turning into a t-bone steak. the color concept is cool. but alot fellout like it said. theres lighting problems. and its a total powerline piece. but its all single line. i dont like talkin shit but. im just not happy. but i dont want to sit in his chair again for even 5 minutes let alone a half an hour for touchups. I just wish he took his time. I think he may be one of those people who doesnt care about the piece unless its his idea, he drew it. And all else sucks... Theres alot of them out there

Sucks that you had a bad time with Albie...I don't know him but I know people who do know him and tey usually have nothing but good stuff to say...but then again they are collectors not artists and maybe he felt he could open up with ya ...ya know?...and also we all have bad days...then again maybe hes a prick...what do I know?

hi there ive used several different guns and well personaly micky sharps beats the lot and not only that any of his original machenes they will re tune for you if you dont no how too im and up and coming tattooist i have been tattooing for 8 years now just about to open up my own shop so if you want reliability then id choose sharps supplies have fun learning i no i sure did and still am it can take alot out of you but i tell you what its worth it in the end not even the money all tho thats good but to see your work permanatly on some one for life its a great feeling also i sugest using his t dial and his linner i have a speed liner personaly as i like to work fast dan

First of all the person teaching you to tattoo should be able to tell you what a good machine is and whats not,But if you want the advise of a pro of ten years in the business then I will tell what to buy.Pretty well any machine you can buy from workhorseirons will do the job and do it Well, if you know how to use it.My personal favorite machines of all time are made by Aaron Cain And Danny Knight.Aaron Cain makes a great outliner called the bottle opener super easy to use right out the box and you can get one at www.workhorseirons.com Danny Knight makes an awesome shader or outliner and you can get one at www.dannyknight.com Both of these places only sell to pros working in real tattoo shops so be prepared to prove your establishment in the biz. hope this helps you out man CHEERS Vito Deville

pulse baby....no other way to go..

What does anyone think of the 'Super smooth rotary tattoo machine' ?

go build one out of carbon fiber..

hi, ive got over 50 machines, all sorts and out of choice use danny fowler cut back brass liner and alluminium shader (the one in the coffin) look on their website, i have no problems at all good workhorses, they work for me!!!

So i've used quite a few machines, still own my soba, national, and pulse machines. owned a time machine for about a week before selling it for 20 bucks. My machines now were custom built for me by Duane from ozark irons. Try a few machines when you find what fits you'll know it.

Flat line machines are really smooth, been using his machines for several years love them.