WHo make the best machines ?

Who do you all think makes the best machines ?

I like Tap Irons out of CA. www.tapirons.com

http://www.glynflewtattoomachines.com/

Go into a few local shops and just ask! :-)))

This is more of a poll : ) I own one of the local shops here

I do

Web site link would be nice.

Most of the tattoos done on me are done with Pulse Machines. PulseTattoo.com. Other artists I admire and will get work from use Next Generatrion Machines. Im not an artist, though, so this is all hear say. Of course, its hear say from the zillion artists I talk to everyday...

This is kind of a hard one to answer. A lot of it has to do with personal preference. I really enjoy Mikey Sharpz micro dial as a liner. Also, I have a Costal Waters shader, thet belive it or not runs very smoothly and is one of my favorites. I would have to say that my all time favorite machines are built by Aaron Cain. www.aaroncain.com But, again it is mostly personal choice Troy

huck spaulding are the best, I got there catalog and they have so much stuff, I think it looks the coolest too. My dads friend used to have one he said it was real good.

www.badbrass.com

regarding the above post. we either have a jokester on the boards here or tattoo billys been watching to many episodes of inked and reading to many "tat mags" .. regarding machines i have a danny knight shader i love and have been using for the past 7 or so months and a seth work horse liner ive been using for a year or so. other machines i have in my tool box that i like are: a juan puente liner and shader, a pulse eric meril shader, a rebuilt mickey sharpz micro dial and a seth cifferi shader. also a couple of rob freund and jim rosell machines.

I just broke down and purchased a Paolini Ohm machine, and I've never been happier. I've used my boss's Micky Sharpz liner machine, and think that will be my next purchase.

I use a Col. Todd for lining which is, by far, an awesome machine. Verrry smooth and puts a line in like butter. For shading purposes I use a Dennis Dwyer PW, recently rebuilt by Albert Jeffers of Acidbaby in Florida. Both machiines are workhorses and I don't start my day without these two weapons of mass construction! Peace!

I am kind of partial to a Milwaukee Sawsall for pushing BIG mags. Ebay has em. Good luck.

the current line up in my station is pulse executive liner soba pilot shader with eikon mid weight true spring A bar national swing gate with eikon coils true spring A bar (heavy) and i love the pulse machine but i've had my swing gate for years and it is a color packing monster i've tried other machines for color but it's my favorite.

Is it time for this site to have a pro only page? Seems contradictory to make the same comments to scratcher wannabes then give them what they want between posts?

Never thought about it in those terms John but I guess ya got a point however in a public forum ......welll ...ya know........TAz

sorry, i think i gave too much info in the above post but scratchers can't order from eikon, nor do they know what it is. but even if they do they have to be able to use thier equiptment. but john is right we do need a pro's only section.

Hey ink junkie...no scratcher is gonna have a fuggin clue what an "eikon coil" is don't even trip man!!! Look guys this is a "PUBLIC" forum and , as such, we should feel comfortable talkin about anything we want to by GOD talk about! There are scratchers everywhere so what are we gonna do ...hide from em? Not me. 9 times out of 10 they won't have a clue what yer sayin anyway....TAz

Hey ink junkie...no scratcher is gonna have a fuggin clue what an "eikon coil" is don't even trip man!!! Look guys this is a "PUBLIC" forum and , as such, we should feel comfortable talkin about anything we want to by GOD talk about! There are scratchers everywhere so what are we gonna do ...hide from em? Not me. 9 times out of 10 they won't have a clue what yer sayin anyway....TAz

I might be alone on this one but i think you could tell a skratcher exactly what he wants to hear and let him run out and get the best machine money can buy. But without the proper experience he's still not going to produce anything impressive. Especially if he knows nothing about how to tune it based on his individual style...

You make a point guys, but to me the biggest concern is that these scratchers will run out and buy their stuff on ebay and then start doing it in an un-sanitary manor in their house, which becomes a health hazard which threatens us ALL. Hepatitis is no joke and that little bugger is pretty resistant to alot of stuff. It's only a matter of time that unless people are careful, it will really be an epidemic in our country, and most people are un-educated on the topic, hence where the proper apprenticeship and proper training come into play. Public forums are not the place for that because you can get any jackass on here posting false information and people listen to it because they feel it's a tattoo forum and it must be correct. I could care less about the quality of art that they're putting out, but only through a PROPER apprenticeship are they going to cover all of the bases and be less of a risk to societies health. I realize that there are several other ways to spread disease, and I also realize that there are many people apprenticing that don't know shit and are not really diving into cross-contamination (or are out-dated on the topic) but to just give information around freely on the topic of tattoo machines, inks, needles, etc, only encourages such behavior for people to become kitchen magicians. The knowledge on the topic of health has increased tremendously in the past 10 years, but on the flipside, so have the amount of scratchers that have no desire to get an apprenticeship because they're cocky enough to think that they can teach themselves everything they need to know, just because a few cousins and best friends told them that they are great drawer's just because they can draw a godsmack sun out of memory.

In this day of ebay tattoo kits and major tattoo suppliers advertising in the magazines ( most of whom will sell to ANYBODY) I simply don't think my opinion on machines will make a bug fucks worth of difference! MAKE NO MISTAKE!...I DO NOT advocate a tattoo by numbers course or posting technical info on this or any other site. but until suppliers refuse to sell to the general public things are just not gonna change...I personally will not purchase anything from any supplier that sells to the general public. If all professional artists would do the same there would be many fewer scratchers.This is not just an information problem...its an access problem....TAz

i am not a tattoo artist, i am looking to find out about a good liner.. my tatto artist has taken great care of me and i would like to buy him a new machine for all his hard work he has done for me... he is a pro.. not a scratcher... i am looking for a good liner, he mentioned something about a soba liner... can anyone help me? thanks

I just think you guys are giving opinions on what works best for you and what you prefer and I dont think theres anything wrong with that. I dont think a scratcher is going to invest in buying some of the machines that you have talked about there going to buy some cheap ass machine of ebay. For me Ive spents a few thousand dollar on equipment, im taking drawing classes this summer, and hope to open a shop one day with people that I believe have talent. One step at a time first. I dove into things to fast at first but Ive backed up and started from the beginning. So im proud be a part of this place and hope to one day be as good as some of you. I havent seen many people works on here but Ive seen of course Taz's which is awesome and Krystoff who does some awesome work also!! Even though we sometimes butt heads I respect what you do regardless.

john cianfrani, ink junkie you 2 are asshole , like you dont think scratchers do not have knowledge to find good machines? the guy who is asking is a beginner, in no time sooner he will have the knowledge as you, your job is not that difficult that anybody cant do!!!if it wasnt the Health issue you would not have anything against scratchers, Tattoo Artist excel in Art Form not in Techical Bullshit, thats why they have disposable tubes needles, plastic baggies, paper towels, shaver etc... you asshole its not hard to figure out!!!! Bitches

I think if you point "scratchers" in the direction maybe recommend brands of autoclaves first and hopefully they will see the price of that and back off

#1 scratcher you are a moron!...We don't excel only because of artistic ability we also provide a measure of safety and security. You can get rid of a bad tattoo...You cannot get rid of AIDS Kets see some pictures of your work sir...make us eat our words that most scratchers SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...TAz

Hey Gabe!!...whats up with the wide ass posts?? don't like em!!!!! Stop it!!!!...TAz thank you!!

#1 scratcher called ma an asshole, YEA taz i'm making it up to where you're at. all i have to say to scratcher is THANKS

Now yer gettin the right attitude Junky!!! Proud of ya! I hereby and herein appoint you Supreme Junky for Life of the HAMSTER POSSE!!!!! TAz

damn taz thanks bro. maybe i should change my name to hamster_junkie LOL

From this point on ye shall be referred to as Lieutenant Hamster Junky of the Peoples Republic of Gabe detachted to the Homesite Security division under command of Captain TAz Carry On Soldier!!!!

i like danny fowlers time machines i feell they are the best, and to the guy that says spauldings the best,, thats funny!!!!

Hey BOOFY!!! Where can we see the work you do with your time machines?

#1 Scratcher........you have crabs?

I used to like TMs a lot. I have two old G1 liners that have been modified a bit, and still run great. Use them often. Have a cutback liner he built for me, too, but I rarely pick it up. It's impressive to LOOK at. I also have a couple of Clones that I moved the rear saddle WAAAAAAAAY back on, and they just Purrrrrrrrrr along and pound color in all day. But I haven't been impressed much with anything he's thrown together since 2000. He went a bit off the deep end with looks, and fancy space names for everything, and lost track of quality, I think. Far from the best these days in my opinion. Not into the single screw holding the saddle on. Not the sturdiest setup in the world, but the idea of making a machine with an infinate amount of geometry variations was a good plan at the time. Problem is, when you try to make something so versatile, you allow room for flaws.

Ok KEEPS...this is for you...I have a pw (percy waters )machine for dennis Dwyer at Precision...what do you think of them if you are familiar?...TAz

Should be FROM dwnnis dwyer

I haven't spent much time using a PW, so i don't really have an opinion. A friend has a set of leftys he made and she was happy with them. But they were alum., and were always making too much racket for my delicate ears. I like them to purrrrr softly....like a kitten. LOL

The first set of machines I ever owned were Milt Zeiss...ever hear of them? Funny shit. I still have the liner somewhere. My father gave them to me. Thems some nostalgic irons!

WOW! I have never even seen ONE let alone a set...Those are keepers!!...I have a set of paul rogers made by Filip lieu when he was buildin for Paul...My favorite museum pieces!...T PS yes the PWs I have are aluminum and chatter like HELL!! But they are cool..and sock the ink in ..shit I guess they still do ..haven't used em in years!

I'll see if I can find it and post a pic sometime. They weren't pretty! Someone stole the other one when I was traveling. They went through a flood and the coil cores rusted, so I gave in and rebuilt the liner, and someone stole the shader before I got it done. I was offered big bucks for them several times, but since they were my dad's, I'd never sell the one I still have....although I might misplace it. I have a couple of alum. machines, and they run fine, but that friggin noise gives me a neck ache real quick.

Yeah I'd Love just to see a pic..if ya find it e mail me a photo would ya? I'll dig out the lieu/rogers and send ya apic...Don't see them too often either!

Anyone have an old Owen Jensen? Not the Kaplan one, but the real deal? I'd like to see pics of that!

kidd from machine builders syndicate. pretty much all the syndicates machines are sweet.

O.K. I stumbled on this page but, The whole pro thing might be a good Idea. I was reading something I thought would Intrest Me and 90% of the page was f&*%ing skratcher bull. As for the original topic goes I have a Real respect for Time Machine I have used an Authentic G1 and G2 OF my bosses both run great of course he rebuilt them multipal times.My machines are hand made by a Guy named Snake Yates out of Florida. They have been rebuilt with ALL Eikon parts Mid weight and Light weight low rise armature bars True Spring sets. One runs Cam 10 wrap coils the other has Eikon 8 wraps both 1 1/4 height. They run great and I am in the process of looking for a third Machine. If any of you guys that know whats up have a suggestion please let me know..........Frames only I will use Eikon and Cam Parts to build my own.

Hey 40 oz...I have an old National precision swing gate that I will just GIVE ya if you can use it...TAz

cam parts huh?

try flocko fromm 125th street in harlem.I think he is at reikers island rite now.But he would take a tape player and make that baby humm.check him out.

give filip leu a stone and a chisel and hed probably still tattoo the world around us....

Just checking out this website for a minute-People post questions and too many people have problems answering the damn thing,I see.Too many sissys-later,TonyG

We have no problem answering questions...its the other way around....too many people won't listen to the answers! Or they get pissed off if they don't like the answers...Can't please everybody man!

so what was your question anyways tony g?

25 years ago this was a simple question. today however, there are alot of great machines being made by Tattooists everywhere. on the flip side there are alot of crap machines being mass produced as well. As far as the good machines go, I believe it is all a matter of opinion and preference, a friend of mine loves the machines he uses, they are small, light weight, with short coils. and they hum nicely. but myself I dont like them, as I am more used to a machine that is much heavier and longer, with 11/4 coils and a yoke. I like to know Im running a piece of quality heavy duty machinery, the lighter machines just dont feel right to me. I know.....I come from the stone age, but like I said it is all a matter of opinion and preference. what is a great machine to one Tattooist, might be a crap machine to the next.

YEP!

mortis i agree, i love the long heave feel that you decribed for a liner. but i'm pretty much a long stroke tattooist, as it sounds like you are also. BUT i kinda like a lighter shader with a mid-short stroke. AND, call me weird but, i like a heavy color packer with big 10 wraps, and mid stroke. i HATE brass and alunimum machines, i kinda preffer old school cast frames, but will use steele.

As a home scratcher I was using a cheap world wide machine with alum frame and 12 coils ran real short little throw but I got fairly proficient with it. Now in a real apprenticeship situation my boss likes the heavy stroke of some nice cams. He set me up with a pair to learn his way with. Although I like the way they pound in the lines I am having hell gettin used to that huge throw thing.

t I just recently got a couple of Ted Bertling,s machines....ted man those boys are nice......oooooweee. d

ughh......ted ted

i can't believe what i'm reading on these posts. evrybody "knows" what the best machines are,,,,,,,,,,right?????? how can anybody give advice as to who makes the best machines. any EXPERINCED artist will tell you this; there are many great machine builders in the industry,,,,,but what works for me,,,,probably isn't gonna work for you....to find a great machine, you're gonna have to rely on the ol' "trial-and-error" method.

Which is EXACTLY what all the pros on this thread are sayin...but when it comes right down to it ...iys the hand of the artist not the tool that make sggod art...A good tattoo artist can use a fuckin chisel and sledgehammer and it will be art...T

Heres my twopenneth, I bought some equipment off ebay 12 months back and during the last six months i've been lucky enough to get an apprenticeship and I have found out a hell of alot how machines run and work since. The cheap machines I got off ebay are complete knackers, coils all wrong height, armature bars sloppy, the list is endless. I believe the cheap machines you can get off ebay will put a stop to any would be "scratcher" as you have to have a vast amount of talent to produce a "passable" tattoo with these machines.

I HAVE A PULSE MACHINE THAT RUNS FANTASTIC. IT POUNDS THAT COLOR IN AND NEVER TRAUMATIZES THE SKIN. AS FAR AS MY LINER IM RUNNING A PACO ROLLINS #24 THAT I PUT A LIGHT WEIGHT ARMATURE BAR ON WITH A SRURDY SPRING! IT RUNS EXCELLENT AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. ALTHOUGH ME AND SETH CEFFERI DONT THINK TO HIGHLY OF ONE ANOTHER LOL...I HAVE TO SAY THAT HE DOES HAVE EXCELLENT MACHINES.

I think there are lots of good machines out. But tell you what if you cant take apart a machine and maintain it yourself then mabey you should not tat. So anyway, buy a bunch of machines and build up your arsenal over time, and see what works best for you.Theres nothing like having a bunch of bad ass machines late bitches

check out tedtedkingofthedead.com everyone makes their machines different. everyone uses them different. just depends on how you tattoo. i set them up to how you need and want them to run....thanks...ted

The silver sticky panda jumper by Deon Allen is the best machine by far!!!!!!!!!!

yes ted ,your machines are very nice ..i have two of them .thanks!

workhorse irons... soba pilot...2 liners 2shaders great machines.

I have sevral machines I love. Adam Cifferi bulldog fucking great liner. A real Owen Jensen I got from my father, best color machine I've ever used. Also to machines from Catfish Carl he nows his stuff for sure.

Hotspark!...custom built ...no frills or fancy ads from rockstars just mean buzzin machines!! In fact unless machine technology changes I will probably never buy a machine from anyone but hotspark ever again and I have used them all...Pulse, workhorse ,National,next gen,Soba, Paco Rollins...and these put em to shame at half the dough,!...They just kick ASS!! Email me and I will give you his e-mail...built to order pigment packers my friends...and no I don't get a kickback...I pay for my stuff just like everyone else....try em....great irons my friends...great irons!...TAz, Painted Angel Studios

Go ahead give it out.I think I'm ready it's 8am and Im starting on another now.

I think that all off you on here are full of shit, you think you can tattoo, well i had a tiger done by a pro and its a fucking mess, what gives you the right to slag someone down, i bet you wire a plug and you are not electricians, so what gives you the right to slag people off who find it hard to get a apprentice because you all think you are it, you are all full of crap and so was the tattoo artise who did my shoulder, so why dont you all get a life hey some suck arse shits

Firstly not all of us on here are tattoo artists. Secondly you shou ld have researched your artist better and know what his standards of art work were like. "so what gives you the right to slag people off who find it hard to get a apprentice" What give you the right to say "you are all full of crap ".

Taylor...I am very sorry you had a bad experience with a professional artist...unfortunately in all businesses there are those who are just not as skilled or ethical as others which is why we always say how important it is to choose your artist carefully. I know you are angry at the moment so I am gonna let all the other shit slide...but look man...there are AWESOME artists out there...you got a bad one and you should really think about it before you lump us all in the same basket...I wish you better luck on your next tattoo and this time...BE CAREFUL!!!...TAz Painted Angel

Needle and thread it rocks gives that great prison look.

Who makes the best Tattoo Machines,well thier are quite a few people out there,but I guess it would depend knowledge of your tools, Troy Garris,Joe Ryan and you cant really beat Micky Sharpz for the price and ovarall performance,I think everybody should own at least one...

Best machine is any machine that is made out of quality parts, not ebay junk (been there done that) I built the last two I am using and hand wrapped my coils, I never been this happier before. May dad grandpa made me the frames.

...forgot..and tuned by a pro or "like a pro" will do it.

there isnt one machine i own that i havent completely torn apart, and "hot rodded" changed the frame, change the way it works. so i guess i make the best, cuz i like the way mine work and if i dont i change it. i dig Soba, at the moment, and Seth Ciferri. I started putting together my Ciferri Liner and the tube vice was too loose to clamp anything without 100 Lbs of pressure. So i have to send it back. I use pulse and some national, superior rebuilds. I just like fuckin with machines..... I want to get an MPIRE really fuckin bad. The cool like ZIN Hybrid looks like the shit. and of Course a nextGen will be in my possession eventually.

CMON MAN YOU GOTTA GO MICKEY!!!

My son bought 2 mickeys and they SUCKED ASS!!!!!! the finish started doin weird shit the first day and they didn'r rub for shit...They have been in a drawer evr since... Hotsparks for me!!

id buy a mickey like 10 years ago. all i hear about them is how quality goes down as the numbers go up.

ding!

The artist makes the machine good.I can't draw,but I can build machines. Here's one in the works.

call it "spiderman Iron" I dig the frame

Hey Mike,I pointed you to the wrong thread.Here's the one I'll bring by.

WE MADE IRON TATTOO FRAMES IN OUR MACHINE SHOP IN NJ...$50 http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=united_machine_works_inc You can put the rest of it together... Heather UMW Tattoo Supplies

Hey guys I'm just starting out in tattooing. I would just like to thank you all.. I've recieved a lot of new knowledge about guns. And just to give him some due credit I would like to thank Jeff Gogue.. He turned me into a tattoo freak. www.gogueart.com Thanks, Jake Tryin his hardest not to be a scratcher

If you are trying to NOT be a scratcher please do not refer to the sacred machine of tattooing as a "GUN"...its a MACHINE

Yeah my bad, Your right.... Habbit from before I really knew much or anything about tattooing. Thnks for catching that I have been trying to stop myself.

Yeah my bad, Your right.... Habbit from before I really knew much or anything about tattooing. Thnks for catching that I have been trying to stop myself.

By the way Jake...thanks for your post...lets hear more from ya and keep us informed on your progress....if we can help just email pal!!

Thanks. It's nice to feel welcome for a change.. I have gone into a few shops and just got a lot of negativity when i asked questions.

my name is creeper and for those of you who are young in this bussiness, i have been tattooing for almost 36years. i have worked all olver the world and i build machines myself and i know ted bertling's machines and they run very well. i taught him lots of stuff and i am retiring. shit like this was word of mouth, and not just posted on the computer. now everyone and their mom wants to build tattoo machines, while some of you need to learn how to tattoo before you think you can just build machines. back in the day you all where sucking your moma's tit while i was working down at the pike. leave the machine building alone and give respect to those who have the know how. the creeper

i'm hung like a t-rex

I sell machines through PP at the Museum of Tattoos. They are very inexpensive and real high quality. I have used them. Ted Bertling's machines also look very promising. I hope to try one out soon. Sparky

my penis has a toenail on the end.

I THINK THIS PAGE SHOULD BE FOR TATTOOERS ONLY WHY IS THERE SCRACHERS GIVING THERE APINYION ANY WAYS. ALL THERE GOING TO DO IS FIND WHERE TO GET GOOD MACHINES...MACHINES I LIKE ARE AARONS, JOHN.M, MICKYS,AND 1 I GOT FROM TODD BACK IN 1992.AND CARL MACHINES TOO.. SO IF YOU ARE A TATTOO ARTIST YOU KNOW WHO IM TALKING ABOUT........SIGN BIG DAVE

Hotspark machines by Rob Giusti [email removed]

aaron cain has a two inch penis.

Wow!!! Thats pretty wide!

it's good for boning chicks, but lousy for typing.

I use mickey sharps (wich have always been good to me) to line. I've 3 next generation machines i use for color and shade....but I have been using the HOTSPARKS these days...and ill tell ya thats quite a smooth machine Rob puts together I do recommend them for color or black and grey.

Thanks guys. Mr.G,I'll give you a call and stop by this week.I've got somthing for show and tell.

I have 35 years of collected machines and they all just gather dust since I got my 5 Hotsparks! I gotta keep em locked up so the apprentices don't get their grimy mitts on em! Thanks ROB!!!

Wow, so many opinions... Ok, theyre NOT the best machines, but theyre all Ill use these days..(neuma)

PULSE!!!!!!!! next generation are my back up.

I make the best machines, because I have taken the time to learn about geometry, magnetic fields, permeable metals, needles, pigments, and all the technical aspects of tattooing. If everybody that could draw could tattoo, nobody would even want a tattoo. It helps yeah, but if you dont know how to use your equipment as well as understand it then don't bother. I can take (just about any machine) and with my box of parts, tools, and very hard acquired knowledge can put together a machine that will run with whatever anybody thinks is the best. What puckers my ass is these assholes who are still wet behind the ears 18 - 20 years old calling themselves pros. Unless you were born into a tattooing family, you aint no fucking pro. And the more you think you know, you will find out you really don't know shit. It's devotion, it's in the blood, and it's being a pain in the ass around respected artists and watching and asking lots of questions. I have been tattooing since 1977 and I still learn shit almost on a daily basis.

if you've been tattooing for 20 years and still don't know everyting their is to know about it, you may be a redneck.

you fags all act like you're so great truth is we can all learn more and if u think u know it all then your a shitty tattoo artist

That's not an easy Question to answer. One can build a machine to easily line, color or shade but can he tune one to easily line , color or shade? Mass produced machines like Pulse, Time Machine, Micky Sharpz and Next generation lack proper tuning because so many are turned out at one time. Hand made machines like Texas custom irons, have human flaws in the welds and geometry. Though each one is hand built and assembled by Todd you have a better chance of buying a machine from him that does exactly what you ordered it to do. I'd recommened anyone from the machine builders sindicate hands down...Bottom line. There all built and tuned by the Machine builders them selves! If you have a chance to check out Japanese machines built by GUS there out of this world. early Micky sharpz built by micky himself are great to. Juan Puente machines are great but now more than ever its less and less and less hands on. If your lucky enough to own one and its shorts out on you alot and you think thats something is touching but can solve the problem check for loose brass shavngs inside the binding post that could be your problem. Tim hendricks builds a great machine but Dan... gulp, gulp, gulp. no way.(there real pretty though)Aaron Cain him self is in fact very hands on in almost every machines he builds except his work horse versions and lucky tattoo supply machines. his apprentice assemble those. Buyer beware and personal preference and trial and error helps support who truly builds the best machine. Tom, Traditional Fetish Tattoo Traditional Custom Irons(1018s)

A machine that lacks of proper tuning is not a bad machine. Who said a machine should come tuned? If you really care about the way a machine perform on your clients you will learn how to tune a machine. If you can't learn basic tuning tips you should not be tattooing. (Unless you leave right next to Danny Fowler's or A Cain's crib.) Machines need to be tuned frequently. I use my own machines these days but Pulse, Next Gen on some of the machines built in mass are great machines. Unless Deano Cook, Guy A., Nikko, Brandon Bond, Paul Booth are wrong... By mass producing "quality" machines you reduce risks of geometry errors. Go to ebay and take a look at the chunk of "hand made" shit that there is out there.

Tom...thanks for the infrmative post!! Good job!

here is a good place to look these are some new versions of rotarty machines there great to work with, and no noise. www.rotarymachines.com check them out.

$400 bucks for a rotary machine? Ummm NO THANKS!!!!

I have used many,many machines like everyone else, must say i own lots of machines lot with big names, but ted ted king of the dead is by far the best i have ever used, smooth like butter, and thats the truth....

To be honest, there isnt enough information out there. No I dont agree that "anybody could do the job" I think I does take real talent, and no you can just become a pro overnight. But on the other side, who can afford to pay a large wad of cash to apprentice? I sure as shit can't, thankfully I know an artist that has taken me under his wing. And when someone says "best tattoo gun made" I think what people are asking is, what would be a good training gun...something that could be tuned to shade or line without spending too much on something they dont fully understand. An affordable note worthy training gun...

The Messer Machine, a rotary machine designed and built by Noel Messer of Talisman Tattoo in Auckland is the best, state of the art, machine available today. Furthermore, anyone who says clicker/coil machines are better than rotary machines is a dinosaur. You might as well say VHS is better than DVD. Get smart and get with the future of tattooing machines.

You all suck Tattoo Artist hahahaha, I'm just start tattooing 3 month ago and never have drawing in my life, but always I've been in tattoo studios and believe me the best tattoo Artist started on them home so don't say such a thing like you cant tattoo in your home, you faggots. You don't want to share you secrets cause there is not big deal everyone know is good business and easy to become an artist. So if you can share what others taught you is because you haven't learned nothing.

dublinink, a few questions... Can we see your work? Have you studied cross contamination prevention and BBP? Do you give out free Hep with your tattoos? You sound like the typical ignorant and careless scratcher. You're fucking arrogant too, coming on here and dissing tattoo ARTISTS who are light-years ahead of you in their abilities and understand that GOOD tattoos require knowledge of art. The difference in the artists who know the trade secrets VS. the people who "haven't learned nothing" is quite apparent in their work. So, come on, let's see yours, Piccasso.

Not only we should retain trade secrets, but we should also forbid immature people under the age 5 (like dublinink) be part of these type of websites. And it's true. A lot of artist started from their homes, but as soon as they "knew better" the change their mindset. Anyone claiming that tattooing is an easy trade should enroll in a clown school instead and leave tattooing for people with artistic skills.

I hope Dublinink's literal use of English transfers better in his tattoos than it does here. God help his customers if it doesn't.

if you assholes didn't dedicate your lives to feeding the trolls, they would not be a problem.

I´ve been drawing for 20 years, and now i wanna learn to tattoo. I´ve seen tattoo artist get mad as f... and cursing when you ask them for a apprenticeship. And i think the truth is, many of these guys are worthless losers, and can´t do anything other than tattooing, they afraid of the competion from Graff writers, comic book artist that now begins to tattoo. I fully understand that they have to watch out for scratchers, ruining the rep of tattoo artist. But come on, if they are true scratchers they wont continue tattooing. What about all the jail scratchers, how about them.......start pointing fingers in the right direction if you wanna stop scratching!!!! Gang tats give tattoos the worst rep guys, remember that. And try to help out those who really wanna learn to tattoo. Do you think GOD himself learned the first man to tattoo??

I agree with the last 2 comments on this page, I started tattooing in my basement under pretty clean conditions, autoclaved equipment, and new a little about blood born pathogens but that was 10 years ago, now the health codes are alot different and alot of shit has changed, I have grown as an artist I never had a formal apprenticeship but i have watched and learned from alot of artist, i am the most advanced person at the shop i work at as far as tunning machine i build and tune them all the time. I have owned about 30 tattoo machines and am still searching for the one i feel comfortable with that works best for me. I think alot of the people on here obviously think they are the best tattoo artists but the truth is i am learning everyday new stuff new ways to manipulate the skin, pigments, and machines. Alot of artists need to pull their heads out of their asses and realize that most of them are feeding the rage by talking shit also this is giving tattoo artist all over a bad name. wtf is wrong with you people don't patranize people for wanting to learn the art dont think its a joke cause its not, i started as a scratcher because there were only 2 shops where i lived wihtin a half an hour each way, one guy was a prick and thought he was going to live forever, the other guy i didnt like his work those were my only options at the time so i guess i was lucky knowing a couple people besides them in the business to help me that lived hours away in different states but i grew and learned becasue i was so interested.

I can assure you that person who has commented above in relation to this topic has no connection with Dublinink Ltd whatsoever. We are a professionally run business and I can assure you we do not hire or would never hire people or "tattooists" like the one pretending to be a part of our team. Unfortunately it has gone unnoticed until now !! We apologise for this person whoever he maybe and sincerely hope no offence has been caused! M. Corcor (Admin) The Dublinink Team

just wondering....has anyone mentioned Carson Hill's NEUMA MACHINES?!

Bernhard and Gus make the best looking machines, mickey sharpz are probably one of the best running atleast they seem to be the most popular.

Jim Rosal is one bad ass machine builder. He builds his stuff from scratch. Some guys assemble machines from parts and call themselves builders. Dont take my word for it, check out who uses his machines. Or just buy one and see why some consider him to be the best damn modern day machine builder.

Jim Rosal is one bad ass machine builder. He builds his stuff from scratch. Some guys assemble machines from parts and call themselves builders. Dont take my word for it, check out who uses his machines. Or just buy one and see why some consider him to be the best damn modern day machine builder.

fkirons. believe it.

what was the question?

the best overall machine i would have to say is the time machine. Paco Rollins machines are cheap and cheaply made. I should know,I have tattooed with him for several years at lucky devil which is not the picture of the shop on his website hes never worked there he works at a little shop in south seattle called lucky devil south. His machines are inconsistant and are built with cheap parts that are always dfferent Paco Rollins machines are cheap not good. If he cared about his product a little more and not his image, his machines would be more consistantand in the 6 years i worked at that shop he only tattoos about 4 times a year. So how can he know what a machine should run like.

Paul rogers is the start of the homespun tattoo machine movement these machines are rare gems and he set the standard for people to even start to think they could build there own machines im also a big clay decker fan /seth and malone

Paul rogers is the start of the homespun tattoo machine movement these machines are rare gems and he set the standard for people to even start to think they could build there own machines im also a big clay decker fan /seth and malone

I believe I make some nice Tatty Zapper Guns....that is all

PROS !!!!!!!!! Very good stuff here scratchers can look but cant touch. I'm play MC Hammer for you "cant' touch this" ... http://www.tattoomachinez.com/

use to use mickeys i tried cains and danny knights, right now i use an orig. paul rogers i got way back then and i picked up a few of ted ted king of the dead's machines and i must say i am impressed the shader hits at 4volts, the liner runs real smooth and clean. like using a magic marker. so my daily set up is paul rogers for color work and ted ted king of the deads for lining and shading

Don't you chaps think this should be a private forum?? Guess no one cares about the trade anymore, 40 plus years doing it...

quote: "Don't you chaps think this should be a private forum??" There are plenty of private forums around. Im very happy about this community with free speach that is open to all. Just my 2 cents.

I sell machines to lots of people. I will be starting a folder on myspazz on people who use them and their work. just got to get unlazy. I know once you see the people who use them and do not complain then you should all consider getting one or?? I hand make them all the parts, except for the screws and washers. If you do not beleive me you are more than welcome to come over and work your ass off. It is over 100 defrees here in vegas. come out and see what the fun is all about. Buy your tickets and we will have a tattoo class, 3days,100. bucks. First meeting of real machine builders, hands on. Or if your too lazy then buy one. thanks for all the kind words. There are 2 classes of people, the upper class, who do not talk shit then the lower class, the ones who talk shit. I am confidant in my skills and would show anyone what and how and why i do something.

hi, this is a very easy. as for my, as long as the machines was buit by a expert. any machines can be used. depend how u tune the machines. if u really knows how to tattoo, any machines will works will in your work. i have alot machines. micky sharpz, iron work horse, soba, machines from usa, poco roillin machine.. i used it all.. no matter what. i set the machines to what i need and i stick to the machines till it break downs.. hope it helps

That answer is pretty much impossible. There is not a great machine. There are a lot of good and bad machines out there. A great machine should feel comfortable to tattoo with and perform flawless. I honestly got fed up of heavy gear making my wrist ill. I took an one year break because of that. I've been tattooing for 22 years now, back in a days the heavier the machine the better. I purchased two aluminum FK Irons at the MIami Convention that really change for good the way I feel about tattooing. Those machines are man and powerful without the vibration from reg aluminum's. I now triple the hours of tattooing without a single complaint. So to me that is a great machine but just to my own personal taste, a few years ago I would have laughed at a machine like that. I am a machine freak, I have D Fowler, Mickey's, Sobas, Cain, Bernard, handmades, etc. They are all great machine and love them all, I just wish they can become lighter now.

i used to use all kinds of machines from aaron cain to soba. i been tattooing now for 18years solid. i own 2 shops and i have used lots of machines. rotary machines are great shaders. neumas i got rid of because there was a problem with the air flow. i used neuma everything for almost 2years. i tried j carltons and did nt like them. my daily set up is as follows: ted ted liner ted ted shader a few rotary machines a creeper machine for black and grey this set up seems to work for me and have been working for the last 9years ect. the rotarys. they are about a year old now and still trying to get used to them. but i would say for the price go with ted teds as they are reasonable. i boughtone of his bulldogs years back for like 2 bills and soild it for abit over 5bills. the machines i have now are teds walker machine, teds whitfeild, a creeper v machine, and some rotarys i got off ebay. i just bought a brass jonesey machine from ted, cost like 4bills but it is a mean machine, was set up to do trad. lining 7s and up but i messed with the contact screw and it became a super strong color machine as well. so now i use it for both with just a a small screw of the contact screw. i would say that ted makes a kisck ass tattoo machine, i have a machine collection with well over 250 machines from lots of great builders but the ones listed above have paid for themselves over and over again. thanks to all the great builders out there. i am stoked to have some daily drivers now. when i first started it was spaulding. my mentor gave me a orig. paul rogers that runs just as nice as ted teds. i sure hope this is a private post for pros. only?

I have been a scratcher for 3 months. But I pride myself in being cleaner than most shops. I advocate that the environment is just as important as the ability of the artist to give the customer the design they ask for. Before anyone tries to rip on me about scratching. My studio is probably just as clean and sterile as your shop. I use more gloves than you could ever dream. I cavacide everything...including the machines I use, that are bagged anyways. I have my certificate in Bloodborne Pathogens from the RedCross. I am more knowledgeable than most artists in machine building. I have produced MANY tattoo's that have made my customers hug me with joy (which is why I started tattooing). I am not the average dumbshit who wanted to tattoo so he could have groupies. I started after 3 very good artists told me I need to start and because I love art. I am 29 and I have been around tattoo shops since I was 18. I have seen all you premadonna tattoo artists come and go. Just because you work in a shop doesn't make you "clean and safe". I am apprenticing now. But I still do work from my house. It pays the bills. To answer the original question. Unfortunately, there is NO best machine. Most top builders (Aaron Cain, MSharpz, Martini, A Ciffero, S Ciffero) all use top quality parts to make their machines. But they build them to "their" style. So I guess the best machine for "you" is....go to a convention or the internet (its closer), and look at a particular artist/builder who shares your style. Then buy the machines they use. For instance, I bought my first machine from Joey Cap...and I didn't like it. Not because it was crap, but because it didn't suit me. I sold it and I particular am fond of Jim Martini's machines. Best of luck in your search

Oh and by the way...to all you "pros". If the machine builders sell to "scratchers", then they do not care as much as you. So STOP taking business away from them with your selfish (usually irrelevant) comments. Just because you don't want to be replaced in this industry by someone who has the determination and love you (maybe) once had for this business! Oh, and do not forget about 90% of all the "pros", had to "scratch" their way to where they are. Arrogant preMadonna's!

am looking at the posts about scraches.do you guys know some of the best tattoo artists in the trade started at home. so some of you should get down from the tree.i my self 1 year books dvds an so on. am putting tats on now.an they are coming back for more. you have to start some were

am looking at the posts about scraches.do you guys know some of the best tattoo artists in the trade started at home. so some of you should get down from the tree.i my self 1 year books dvds an so on. am putting tats on now.an they are coming back for more. you have to start some were

am looking at the posts about scraches.do you guys know some of the best tattoo artists in the trade started at home. so some of you should get down from the tree.i my self 1 year books dvds an so on. am putting tats on now.an they are coming back for more. you have to start some were

I am with gman on this. The best piece I have ever seen in my life has been from a "scratcher". Before you try and belittle me on the number of great pieces I have seen. I have been to many conventions and have seen the Paul Booth's, Aaron Cain's, Joe Cap's, and even Kat von D's. Oh course the guy did not even get a call back on his piece. Go figure, he lost to a famous artist hahaha. I always said, you can have the best work on you, but if it is not from a top named artist....you lost. Just my .02 cents

it's "primadonna" you insufferable retarded asstwats.

Thank you for the grammar correction. Take care douchebag!

Oh, here is a grammar lesson for you. Do not use two adj. to describe something. That bit of information was brought to you by "served". Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week...punk!

Have any of you guys ever actually used a pulse-matic classic or evo.? You can simply set the throw you want and dial in the speed you want on the power supply, simple as that! no playing around with soft or hard springs etc. everytime you want to set up a liner or shader, It has a single coil with 10 meters of copper wire wound around 26 iron laminations more powerfull then any of the whatever wrap twin coils bell buzzer machines, cast iron armature bar, NO POINTS or FRONT SPRINGS, no CAPACITORS. You dont need to bend any springs. www.mystic.co.nz

Have any of you guys ever actually used a pulse-matic classic or evo.? You can simply set the throw you want and dial in the speed you want on the power supply, simple as that! no playing around with soft or hard springs etc. everytime you want to set up a liner or shader, It has a single coil with 10 meters of copper wire wound around 26 iron laminations more powerfull then any of the whatever wrap twin coils bell buzzer machines, cast iron armature bar, NO POINTS or FRONT SPRINGS, no CAPACITORS. You dont need to bend any springs. www.mystic.co.nz

Without going and looking at what you are talking about, it sounds like you are referring to a rotary machine. I have used one before, for a color packer. I used it 3 times and gave up. It is a different ball game for me. You have to be really careful in my opinion with them. They do not have the springs so the skin natural resistance will help determine the depth of the needle. It has a "stroke"....down, up. I do not know about the one you are referring to (or even if it is a rotary machine), but mine hammered like a jack hammer. It packed the color in, but I had to SLOW down my movements. It is a learning curve between coil and rotary, but try it out and see if you like it. It is all personal preference man. Good luck

Scratcher you show exactly the problem you make for yourself! "without looking at what you are referring to" and "it sounds like you are talking about" come on! you wonder why you don't get respect, you go on to comment on something completly different because you don't know! and can't be bothered looking. Pulse-matic's are coil machines! what's the point of trying to educate any of you guys, what a waste of time.

You know, I clearly stated that I was not sure if that is what he was he was asking about. So excuse the fuck outta me. Well, then...instead of posting a shot at me, why don't you be helpful and comment on what the question asked. Oh that's right...you do not know shit either. I could have replied to the original poster about how stupid he is for not knowing and what a "scratcher" he sounds like....but guess what. Some people would rather ask questions before they spend their hard earned money on things. Sooooooo, whereas my information did not help him on the machine he was referring to, I did happen to go over my thoughts and concerns about the rotary style machines. Keep your comments positive and helpful....asshole!

Scratchers are gonna buy what they can afford, not what is the best. You could tell them a tim hendricks machine is where its at (which it is)...but they arent gonna buy it because of the price. They will buy the cheapest piece of shit kit that is available. As far as preferance for machines go...Im all about my Hendricks, Todd Hlavaty, Martini, and Paco Rollins machines. My Mike Ferguson (I think thats how you spell his last name...he is at first amendment tattoo) machines are running a close second.

The statement you used about "scratchers" only buying what they can afford, I think applies to EVERYONE. Not unless being a professional means you get an unlimited amount of money to spend on machines? I am in fact a "scratcher" and my machine collection is quite nice thank you. I own a Martini "bitchslap" and "jerkoff", and I am currently having the techs at tatsoul build me a custom "pomplona" color packer. I have a Seth Ciferri soft shader and a BtK big mag color packer. So, I think I proved your assumption incorrect. The statement that should be said is...professionals have easier access to higher quality machines.

wow. is this still going on? really if any of you had a prper appreinticship you would not discuss any inforomation, but i guess it is bragging rights? i have something you do not. really, get over it, go back and do a tattoo and quite trying to figure out who makes a better machine, what works for some does'nt wprk for others. you poor silly bastards, name dropping is gay. go and do some good tattoos and win some awards with some of your named machines. i'd rather see some artist using their skills instead of sit on a computer because they do not know how to tattoo with the fancy machines and bright inks. really, there is too many tattoo artist out in the world already. do us all a favor and go back to work.

I think the world is getting crazy, peope just care about making money, its more then money. And def, more then, if u remember the first person who put the machine together, did not have no appretenceshinp think about it, and we should all, be happy the people that aleast look on the web hoping just to get some type of understanding on how to do this art , care enuff to do so. I have not charge anyone who was willing to learnd me knowing a little more, then the what do yall call them! O right, scratchers , some people just dont have it like other. You all should know. The world would be sso much better if people help one another rather then just crittize them because they just wanna learn.

Ok I think the main focus on this thred is to know "the best machine out of the box" yes (you stupid idiots) we don't need to know how "amaizing your machines are" that you molested and frankenstined to make them run to (what you think) is good because let's face it 70% of artists don't know shit about maintaining a machine and tuning It. Trust me I personally know. This is why builders are now doing seminars to teach the new lazy artists coming into our industry who didn't even get proper apprenticships. Rotary's arnt so big now because they run so amazing because you can manipulate coils to do the same it's that none of these fuckers know how to tune and don't want to have to maintain their tool! See all I see here is a bunch of big mouths going on about scratchers and I agree fuck them but really? We live in 2000's anyone can google "eikon" on half of the shit you guys talk about...I think my point is stay on topic. Because wether or not a scratcher knows what you talk about you pry don't even know what you are talking about yourself.