tat2dguru

[tat2dguru]

Well after talking with Jeff at http://www.renegadehba.com who makes custom coils wrote this. ” the capacitor is what completes the flow of electricity back to the rear post, so positive up top. Some people use non polar but I prefer directional polar.” So I guess maybe that is why my mickeys have them the same way as well? So I guess I’m putting in the cap the way the coil builder wants them.
Just sayin’
TG

[tat2dguru]

@Ramenuzumaki wrote:

Always happy to help dude. As a moderator its my duty

Then can you help with access to the portal?
:?

[tat2dguru]

That’s what I did as well. The part that got me was the wiring of my Mickeys…… The other thing that made me wonder was the fact that the arrow on the cap is pointing the wrong way as to the reference of the diagram in the book. I will wire it the way it shaows and the way we BOTH believe it to be. I LOVE THIS SITE!!!!! Always nice to have some solid backup in theory and knowledge… :D

[tat2dguru]

THANKS!!!!! That’s what I thought. Maybe that is why the guy sold me the Mickeys so cheap???? He must have wired them WRONG!!!! Maybe that is why they have run like crap??? They seemed to run okay while they are cold but after time they quit running as smooth. Bought new coils and caps to replace them and noticed they were wired wrong….. DOH!!!!! But I will have to say my new Stingray rotary machines are AWESOME!!!! Thanks again Ram. I thought I had it right but wanted to make sure….
TG

[tat2dguru]

Another thing, when tattooing fruit, try not too roll it around so you are constantly working on the top. Work some on odd angles. I guess unless you plan on having your client roll around on the table or chair so that you can always be in perfect posture. Another thing is too wrap your practice skins around towels and tape them up. That way you get the effect of working on an arm or calf, rarely have any of my clients been flat as a table. :lol: Never really liked the practice skins anyways. They didn’t feel like they reacted like real skin.
Good luck,
TG

[tat2dguru]

Welcome!! Have a great time here and be open to learn.

[tat2dguru]

I’m sure not ALL but MOST started as scratchers as some call it. Seems a bit hypocritical if you ask me that someone that started as a “scratcher” would talk crap about others that are coming up the same way. The guys and gals around here know that is pretty much the way we all started. We are all here to see the industry grow a better reputation in the eyes of the masses. If sharing sound advice is what it takes sound advice is what is given. All I can really advise is to stay open minded and be willing to learn. MANY here are a wealth of information. Have fun and enjoy!!! :D
TG

[tat2dguru]

For my main lighting I use what are called Otterlite’s.( 2 actually so not too get shadows ) They are a florescent of sorts. Bulbs are spendy but it gives a clean light without the pulse of a standard florescent. I’ve used the machine lights but they take some power from the machine and I always had an issue with keeping it pointed where I wanted. It also would put off a glare from the Vaseline. Tried multiple headlamps and have found the LED headlamps work the best for me. As for looks? I don’t think my clients have an issue with it when I tell them it helps me keep a good eye on the stencil. I will sacrifice looking goofy ( well goofier than I normally do ) for the sacrifice of a clean tattoo. ( I pretty much use it primarily for lining, might use it when shading tight smaller pieces ) But really love my Otterlites.

[tat2dguru]

So I got turned onto Renegade HBA and Jeff there makes his coils by hand. They are custom coils hand wound and built as per your spec’s. These coils are looking sweet. I’ll keep you posted as too their performance.

[tat2dguru]

@Ramenuzumaki wrote:

awesome tat thanks!

No problem man! This cert works in the state of Washington. Not sure about other states though

[tat2dguru]

@tat2dguru wrote:

Well, my stingray just made its way in from Sweden. Will be using it Sunday on the koi cover up I’m working on. If it runs like it looks and sounds I may have just found the new love of my life!!!! DON’T TELL MY WIFE!!!! lol

Well, I actually had a buddy come over and worked on him for a few hours on a new piece I’ve been putting together for him. It’s a pirate ship that has been through a battle or two and still sailing. Metaphoric for life’s challenges. The ship is named after his daughter. I’m sure those of you with children will see the meaning. The rotary took a little getting used too but all in all I’m pretty sure I’m gonna love it!!! I guess the biggest difference is that there is NO difference in tone when it hits the skin. What I mean is, you don’t hear it change tone like a coil machine when it is the skin. So at first I didn’t get it in deep enough too really leave some ink. But hey, Those lines were free!!!! LOL. Besides, It’s nice having a buddy you can experiment on. :shock: Still have my koi on Sunday for a shading session that I’m sure will go GREAT!!!! Keep you all posted.

[tat2dguru]

How much of the outside is showing? If not allot, I would think white would be fine. Just my opinion. Especially if there are other colored flowers around it. Might actually really pop

[tat2dguru]

Well, IMO schools are for teaching you the logistics of tattooing. IE: Skin conditions, sanitation/sterilization, the local laws, and a few other things. As for the actual tattooing side? We had too do 50 tattoos and 150 hours tattooing. So in theory 50 three hour tattoos would have been optimal. But as for getting help/advice from the instructor? NOT!!!!!! Now I guess if the school is only a school and not a shop as well maybe there would have been more one on one time but really when it came time too tattoo the instructor was tattooing his own clients in his own operatory. So there was VERY LITTLE advice from that end. I learned more from upper classmates that went out in the real world and let me come around watch and ask questions. THANKS HOLLY!!!!!!! I still call her from time to time and pick her brain. We paid 5k for a six month course but only got like 5 in before the SCUM BAG instructor/owner packed up shop and made a midnight run. Yes, he took 6 students money and bailed. Unfortunately here in Oregon you HAVE TOO take a schooling course and have the instructor send in the paperwork to the state saying you fulfilled the 250 hours of bookwork/classwork and the 50/150 tattoos. Which he did none of this. So, too say the least I have a bitter taste in my mouth about schools. I did learn quite a bit about quite a bit. But the art of tattooing was NOT one of them!!!!!! As for an apprenticeship? I have yet to actually achieve one but have a few mentors that are in no way stingy with helping me out with techniques and advice. Right now I live in the PDX area 20 minutes away or so from Washington state where there is no schooling requirements and know a few artist there that would take me in no problem. As for paying for an apprenticeship? ARE YOU F’N CRAZY????? IT’S CALLED SWEAT EQUITY!!!!!! YOU WORK FOR YOUR DUES!!!! At least that’s how I look at it. Especially if you clean the shop, set up for the artists, tear down for them, sterilize equipment, and make appointments…. Figure your time and calculate that by minimum wage at the least and figure out what you are paying. I think one aspect you are ALL forgetting is that part of the definition of a mentor is, they are someone you RESPECT!!!!!! Would you respect someone that takes full advantage of your time and help AND MAKES YOU PAY FOR IT? Not sure about you, but I would totally DISRESPECT someone like that!!!! JUST SAYING
I guess my way of thinking would be, get in with a shop, befriend them and see if they will let you help around in return of learning the ins and outs of the shop. Then see if you can do some tattooing and get some advice from the artists in the shop. Also, go to the conventions and take a few seminars there and learn even more. Most of the time these conventions won’t have some YAHOO/HACK teaching seminars. They are usually very well known artist there for the love of the art!!!
Good luck in your endeavors.
TG

[tat2dguru]

I’m no veteran. But I’ve heard adding a drop of blue will help the white stand out. Maybe with some pure white highlights would work great.

[tat2dguru]

Well, my stingray just made its way in from Sweden. Will be using it Sunday on the koi cover up I’m working on. If it runs like it looks and sounds I may have just found the new love of my life!!!! DON’T TELL MY WIFE!!!! lol

[Author]

Posts