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Keep playing w/ different springs. Pay attention to your gaps.
It takes time – but you have to tear it all apart and re-build
and test again!
You will see when it just “feel right” or “runs right”.
Ask your mentor in the shop – look at quality machines the way they are setup. You will know a good tattoo machine by the feel of the way it runs -…[Read more]

Welcome! Best of luck to you

Bend a little – Helps. Bend will keep the needle snug against the tube. When you use the rubber band – it will bend it away from the tube – the bend in the needle will off set this. Hope that helps!

A bar should hit the front coil – square on..
do like Eikon – and put a small sticker or piece of tape on the top of the front coil to ensure it is smooth and level…?

you should not have to tweek the needle grouping…
i can see bending the A bar a bit – but i am not sure what you are talking bout that is happening… this might be one of those things you have to have hands on w/ a mentor in a shop to learn

If you are just starting out – then your mentor in the shop will let you know when to get what!
If you are not in a shop – then get some cheap stuff on eBay or online.
Practice on practice skins only – NO HUMANS!!
: )

Get the books – and learn a bit too!
Best of luck.
http://www.tattoo-apprentice.com

I think that basic fundamentals of modern tattoo – goes above almost all other books – and goes into a lot more detail. Has a lot more info about starting out. the 2nd book will build on that for more advanced topics and get a lot more in depth… They are meant to be a set…

I am still debating if the 2nd book will have access to the TMTT…[Read more]

sammie –
i hate to sound like a broken record but the beginner questions you have about tattoo are all pretty much answered in Basic Fundamentals of Modern Tattoo – if you have a copy and still have questions then let me know!

You can get it on Amazon.com for like $20.00 or some tattoo companies that sell kits have it in the kit!

Best tip for tattooing hair – don’t get caught up on every strand!
Just try to hit the shadows and highlights – go for solid. Needle size will depend on your style and the size of the piece – trusty 7 mag

Take your pants off – sit on a chair – and pull your boxer shorts up…(think self wedgie – or as yolanda calls it “fish bite” / shark bite)
There is some prime practice skin.
Thighs are really easy to tattoo
esp. your own –
make sure you put stencil on WHILE YOU ARE STANDING UP though
: )

Thank you for the kind words Ryan.
Best of luck on your tattoo journey
-Charles (CR) Jordan

Barrier bags = MANDATORY
Clean w/ Madicide or Cavicide (Read the lables to see which one)
Contact medical Professional for final word.
Hope that helps

What you have stated about coils is NOT true.

A bar should hit the front coil –
thats the sound you hear (the buzz)
it should hit flat and solid –

Hint: get a piece of tape or a sticker – (very thin one)
and tape over your front coil
Notice how much better the sound of the machine…

some people like the way a round shades better than a mag –
100 round is kind of big – but… to each his own…
i would think you get same effect if not better w/ 50 mag curved

Welcome – best of luck…

Welcome! best of luck!

I have heard of it – but seems over priced? at least when I saw it a few years ago advertised – never used it though

See attached file – a photo from the new book…

The new book Advanced Tattoo Apprentice – goes into detail…
I have taken everyones comments and questions and suggestions from the 1st book – plus going WAY more into detail step by step how to tune machines, build machines, soft shading, color techniques, power supplies, where to get good…[Read more]

Bag your machine –
You can use madicide / cavicide / anti-viral / fungal wipes / germicidal wipes –
Just watch out you will see rust and corrosion on the plastic parts…
Bag and alcohol is best…