machines and power supply set up

Being proud to be a scratcher wont get you very far. Shitty tattoo machines run at higher voltages because of the shitty material they are made out of. Usually magnetic interference is the main reason. If your machine constantly requires more voltage as you are running it, that is the likely cause. Also rear spring tension makes a big difference, since the force required to pull the armature bar down is generated by a magnetic field produced by current surrounding the coil cores (ie voltage). A higher torsional load on the rear spring requires a stronger magnetic field. There are many other things that dictate the running voltage of a tattoo machine, and they all matter. However the feel, and tuning of a tattoo machine is what counts, and that is what you need to learn. I would suggest finding and apprenticeship, or atleast someone competent to teach you?? Afterall “scratchers” give themselves a bad name. If all scratchers knew what they were doing, and doing it right nobody would be bitching…

Sorry, I guess that sounded kinda mean. I wasn’t trying to knock you or anything, its just really important to have a good understanding of how a machine works. I know quite a few people that are good artists, but that really struggle with machine tuning. Ultimately it will diminish your potential as a tattoo artist without it. It would be the same thing if a good artist didn’t know how to sharpen a pencil. Again, I’m sorry if I sounded rude. Oh and if your budget permits, get some good equipment. You don’t have to spend a thousand dollars on machines. Technical machines, coastal machines, unimax machines and national machines can be had at a fair price. If you are planning on doing tribal work you are going to need to learn how to tune a color packing machine. Oh and devote yourself to learning about barrier protection, and cleanliness. Good luck.