How to Set Up a Coil Tattoo Machine
Coil tattoo machines are often considered “traditional” machines. They can be tricky to tune, so most artists will use two separate machines – one for lining and one for shading – to avoid re-tuning their machine mid-tattoo.
STEP 1
Set Up the Springs
If the springs are not already in place on your machine, you’ll need to set them up around the screw on the armature bar. Wedge the springs around the screw; the back spring goes under the front spring. Then loop the O-ring around the screw, going under the front spring and over the back spring.
STEP 2
Put a Slight Bend in the Tattoo Needle
There’s two reasons artists put a bend in the needle before sliding it into the tube. First, it makes it easier not to barb the needle when you slide it through the tube. Second, having a slight bend lets the needle rest against the back of the tip more easily.
STEP 3
Put the Needle Through the Tube
Carefully slide the needle through the tube and attach the rubber grommet. Make sure that the needle does not hit the tip on its way through, this can barb the needle. Barbed needles can mess up your lines, chew out the skin faster, and cause your client to have a painful tattoo experience.Make sure that you have a tip with a matching needle bar. For example, a tube made for a 7 Round Liner will have a diamond tip (ideal for liners) and only be big enough for a liner with 7 sharps. It’ll be impossible to use a larger liner, a mag, etc. with that tip.
STEP 4
Feed the Needle and Tube Through the Clamp
Loosen the clamp at the base of the machine so the needle and tube can easily slide through. Secure the grommet at the end of the armature bar pin.
Note:
Be careful not to hit the needle as you feed it through the tube. This can result in a barred needle. A barred needle can cause a lot of trauma to human flesh and result in a bad tattoo.
STEP 5
Adjust the Tube so Needle is Fully Retracted
If your needle does not go all the way back into the tip while you are tattooing, it won’t be able to pick up ink from the reservoir. Move the tube up or down inside the clamp until the end of the needle is lined up with the tip of the tube.
STEP 6
Put a Rubber Band Around the Tattoo Machine
Having a rubber band around the machine applies a little bit of pressure to the needle. That pressure pushes the needle to the back of the tip so it doesn’t bounce around and ruin your line work. It also keeps the grommet from popping off.
You only need one rubber band. Too much pressure on the needle will make it harder for the needle to move, which will wear out your machine and cause issues with the ink “spitting” out.
STEP 7
Attach Your Clip Cord
Attach your clip cord to the back of the machine. Press the foot pedal or the “on” button on your power supply to turn the machine on. The “buzz” you hear while it’s on is the armature bar hitting the coils. Make sure to put a clip cord cover over your clip cord to protect yourself and your clients from potential contact with bloodborne pathogens.
STEP 8
Tune Your Tattoo Machine
When tuning a coil machine, you’ll need to adjust the following settings:
Voltage
Cycles Per Second (CPS)
Stroke
Duty
STEP 9
Wrap Your Tattoo Machine
Place a machine bag over your machine. We like to put a small hole in the bottom of the bag to fit the grip through. You can then use grip tape to secure the machine bag.
Note
If you do not have an autoclave, you must use disposable grips.
By tattooing101 – https://tattooing101.com/learn/tattoo-equipment/machine-setup/#