Tattoo machine tuning is the process of calibrating a tattoo machine to achieve optimal performance for various tattooing tasks. The goal is to find the right balance between the machine’s speed, needle depth, and voltage. Mastering how to tune a tattoo machine for lining and shading will make drawing better and expand your business. Tuning offers several benefits, including smooth operation and the ability to create precise outlines. Properly tuned machines allow you to maintain control and prevent unwanted swerves or curves while working.
Tuning a coil tattoo machine is a fundamental skill for any tattoo artist looking to achieve precision and control in their work. While coil machines can appear complex, understanding the process is crucial. This guide covers setup, adjustments, and maintenance to enhance performance.
Tuning a rotary tattoo machine is also necessary, even though it’s not as complex as coil machines. The settings need to be adjusted so that they run at the right speed and power. Tuning tools are essential for ensuring proper alignment of the armature bar.
Tuning a coil tattoo machine is crucial for its optimal performance and involves several steps focusing on armature bar setup, spring tension, and contact screw. The theory behind tuning your coil machine is to get the machine running as smooth as possible. The less resonance the machine has, the easier the procedure will be.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of tuning a tattoo machine and provide valuable insights to enhance your tattooing experience.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Tattoo machine tuning basics. | Tuning a coil tattoo machine is crucial for its optimal performance and involves several steps focusing on armature bar setup, spring tension, contact screw, … | counterkulture.co.uk |
| Tattoo Machine Tuning Tips | We talked about these tuning tools before. This is to make sure that your armature bar is lined up properly. I just want to put this in here real quick … | teachmetotattoo.com |
📹 How To Tune A Coil Liner Tattoo Machine
This video teaches the basics of tuning a traditional coil tattoo machine for lining. The presenter explains the parts of the machine and how to adjust the contact screw and voltage to achieve the correct buzzing sound. They also emphasize the importance of using a reputable machine and checking the setup before each tattoo.
📹 How To Tune Your Tattoo Machine Like A Pro!!
In this video I guide you step by step through the process of tuning your coil machine. Stay up to date with all my latest upload by …
Your tutorials are so well done! You never sound condescending, you dont gatekeep your knowledge, you kindly share your hard earned experience. The fact that you freely share this trade knowledge with the world is going to prevent so many potential infections and make the overall world of tattoos a safer/better place for everyone. You kickass dude!
Fantastic! Not so long ago you couldn’t find anything on the net about these subjects. Like it was some kind of secret society….like you needed some lame handshake or had to eat enough crow or you wouldn’t be “let in”. Truth be told it seems that there were more tattooist that just did things because that was the way they were taught. Not knowing the why behind it limited the abilities to pass on the knowledge and thus created the illusion of difficulty. Inability to teach a trade shouldn’t be confused with the “inability to learn”. Thanks for sharing knowledge Jono!
Awesome article! I learned something new. It would be so cool to see a series where you take us all the way through doing a traditional tattoo from start to finish -lining, color packing and whipshading. I know you have separate vids on some of this. But a definitive walkthrough POV style with good commentary would be next level. So those of us starting can see all this info put together in one small cohesive series. Thanks for everything. Much respect from Uruguay!
Should we set the same 50% duty with different springs and armature bar for color packer? I thought that in color packers it is better to set duty below 50% to keep needle more time in skin to let thicker ink settle in. What do You think Jono? You give great knowledge for free. Ppl should be really grateful for that. I am. Thank You. Best wishes, Daniel.
Hey Jono, just wanted to let you know this article made a huge difference in my learning. I couldn’t get a liner made by Johnny Dollar (Legend old school Aussie tattooist) to work right. I bought it second hand off someone who probably ‘set it up’ wrong. I tried using all your advice but suspected the gauge of the springs was too light for the coils, took me forever to get it to kind of go ok. Scored some good 20 gauge lining springs and tuned it in under five minutes following your tutorial! Keep it up mate!
Great article. I have watched what seems like countless hours of tattoo articles. Thank you for the easy to watch and detailed info. I haven’t seen anyone else go into detail about CPS or even mention the duty. Now I have another reason for my daughter and I to upgrade to a real machine and power supply!
Jono I’ve stripped and rebuilt my liners shaders and packers hundreds of time during my apprenticeship. I’m still doing it the same way years later. It’s a pity more people aren’t taught how to re build coils. I’d have no problems with you tuning my coils mate. Well done! Nearly brought a tear to my eye . Stay healthy 😷👍
I have a question. What is the use of the slot on the frame provided for the top binding post? is it so that the contact screw position can be moved from the top to the bottom level by moving the top binding post so as to convert the machine from a liner to a color packer? and if my assumption is right, is it advisable to have two separate armature bars with respective springs, i.e one with a with liner spring and one with a color packer spring for quick change?
Hey Jono! Really appreciative and grateful of your articles, very informative and helpful. Quick question – when you tune a coil machine, should it matter if it’s being tuned without tube and needle? I ask, because after i tuned mine, i set up tube and needle, prep for a piece and i got a very different readings! Same clipcord and power supply was used for initial tuning… any thoughts?? Thanks again!!
I own 2 coil machines (liner and shader) both from a reputed builder. I followed everything you taught in the article and finally got it tuned perfectly. Thank you for that. The problem I am having is, every time the machines run, it tends to be very inconsistent. it looses power and then all of a sudden starts to hit hard and looses power again. I have cleaned the contact screws, changed from clip chord to RCA, foot pedal and power supply is of a reputed make. happens with both my machines. How do I fix this issue? little help here please.
Loving the knowledge in the articles. i really appreciate your honest work. Question. Having trouble finding a Power supply that tells me the duty and the speed, where do you recommend i buy my equipment ive waited for you to mention any good machine companies but hasnt yet happened. So can the machine be tuned without this readings at all?. thank you for everything hope you see this! Cheers!