Tattoo Machines
Tattoo Machines
Great artists need great tattoo machines. The better the machine, the easier it will be for the artist to execute his vision (or that of his client) quickly and precisely. While most artists starting out on their own will already be familiar with whatever tattoo machines were used by their mentors, there are some basic things to consider when shopping around for a new iron, whether it’s a modern electromagnetic machine or an old school rotary machine.
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Tattoo guns five assorted machines $255.00 (17 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Jun-19-2013 20:06:18 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
aaron cain tattoo machine trimmed RHINOCEROS shader w rattle can paint job $675.00 End Date: Friday Jul-19-2013 14:37:47 PDT Buy It Now for only: $675.00 Add to watch list |
soba pilot liner tattoo machine $230.00 End Date: Friday Jul-19-2013 10:25:32 PDT Buy It Now for only: $230.00 Add to watch list |
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aaron cain tattoo machine trimmed RHINOCEROS liner w rattle can paint job $675.00 End Date: Friday Jul-19-2013 14:31:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: $675.00 Add to watch list |
Aircraft Alu Rotary Tattoo Machine Gun Stigma Prodigy Swiss Motor Clip Cord g $82.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Jun-19-2013 21:50:22 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
TOP Complete Tattoo Kit 6 Machine Gun Power Supply 50 Needles 54 Ink Set 10 42 2 $89.95 End Date: Tuesday Jul-9-2013 23:56:48 PDT Buy It Now for only: $89.95 Add to watch list |
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custom handmade vintage style tattoo machine gun mini bulldog $150.00 End Date: Thursday Jul-11-2013 3:56:45 PDT Buy It Now for only: $150.00 Add to watch list |
tattoo machine spalding and rogers supreme deluxe $100.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-19-2013 22:39:51 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
BCE PURPLE MONSTER IRON Custom Eikon Soba LINER PRO Tattoo Machine USA MADE NEW $275.00 End Date: Wednesday Jul-17-2013 9:15:26 PDT Buy It Now for only: $275.00 Add to watch list |
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HANDMADE TATTOO MACHINE NOT USED lucky springs $150.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-26-2013 14:20:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: $150.00 Add to watch list |
Vintage Tattoo Machines $202.50 (21 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jun-20-2013 3:34:20 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Illadelphia Irons Tattoo Machine Liner Mike Wolfinger soba workhorse pulse fk $225.00 End Date: Friday Jul-19-2013 10:37:17 PDT Buy It Now for only: $225.00 Add to watch list |
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NEW Tattoo Stencil Flash Printer Machine FREE SHIPPING $89.99 End Date: Wednesday Jun-19-2013 22:37:24 PDT Buy It Now for only: $89.99 Add to watch list |
Uncle Roys rotary tattoo machine handmade custom $202.50 (21 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jun-20-2013 6:34:32 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Tattoo Machine Flash Art Antique Electric Marking Pencil Possible Tattoo Machine $129.95 End Date: Sunday Jun-23-2013 8:21:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: $129.95 Add to watch list |
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Complete Pro Tattoo Kit 6 Machine Gun 40 Ink 100 Needle Power Equip Set M1 $89.99 End Date: Sunday Jul-7-2013 9:50:38 PDT Buy It Now for only: $89.99 Add to watch list |
Tommys Supplies Liner Tattoo Machine 38 Special Black Oxide $99.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Jun-20-2013 7:25:51 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
2013 New Arrival Tattoo Rotary Machine Swiss Motor Maxon $235.00 End Date: Tuesday Jul-16-2013 3:06:58 PDT Buy It Now for only: $235.00 Add to watch list |
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2 The Core Irons Custom Liner Tattoo Machine Powder Coated Eikon $135.00 End Date: Sunday Jul-14-2013 10:14:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: $135.00 Add to watch list |
Rotary Tattoo Machine By Ink jecta $200.00 (9 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jun-20-2013 8:29:06 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Custom Special Technique Rotary Tattoo Machine Not Stigma Perfect Condition $200.00 End Date: Friday Jun-21-2013 18:03:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: $200.00 Add to watch list |
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NRTS Tattoo Machine Liner 1 Coils All Hand Made $140.00 End Date: Monday Jul-15-2013 7:54:47 PDT Buy It Now for only: $140.00 Add to watch list |
Seth Ciferri custom nickel plated lefty tattoo machines 3 and 4 of a set of 4 $500.00 (8 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jun-20-2013 9:29:46 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1,000.00 Bid now | Add to watch list |
Kylin Handmade Brass Tattoo Machine gun 13003S $89.00 End Date: Monday Jul-15-2013 3:59:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: $89.00 Add to watch list |
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custom tattoo machine $125.00 End Date: Tuesday Jul-16-2013 10:02:49 PDT Buy It Now for only: $125.00 Add to watch list |
Bulldog Tattoo machine $100.00 End Date: Thursday Jun-20-2013 14:03:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: $150.00 Bid now | Add to watch list |
NRTS Tattoo Machine Hand cut frame with Campbells Soup Hand Coils $150.00 End Date: Sunday Jul-14-2013 21:02:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: $150.00 Add to watch list |
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2013 New Stigma Rotary Hyper V3 Tattoo Machine Motor Machine Black $153.00 End Date: Saturday Jul-13-2013 7:35:47 PDT Buy It Now for only: $153.00 Add to watch list |
Tattoo Machine by junebug Tea kettle liner $250.00 End Date: Friday Jul-19-2013 4:01:23 PDT Buy It Now for only: $250.00 Add to watch list |
FK IRONS AL13 ZEN KRYPTONITE CUT BACK SHADER MACHINE GREEN RCA CORD INCLUDED $345.00 End Date: Thursday Jun-20-2013 14:25:12 PDT Buy It Now for only: $450.00 Bid now | Add to watch list |
Electromagnetic Tattoo Machines
Electromagnetic tattoo machines make up the bulk of all machines used by artists today. The invention of this kind of machine has revolutionized the art of tattooing, and has made it possible to ink flesh faster and more accurately than ever with a good power supply.
The Tattoo Machines Coils
The coils are the spine of the tattoo machine (which uses electromagnets to power the needles’ movement), and most tattoo machines have three different types: eight wrap coils, ten-wrap coils, and twelve-wrap coils. The “wrap” refers to the number of times the wire is wrapped around the coil, and the more wraps, the more magnetic the coil becomes.
• Eight-wrap coil tattoo machines: these are primarily used for liner machines with 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 needle machines. However, if you’re doing bigger outline work that might require an 8- or 14-needle outline, you’re better off using a ten-wrap coil tattoo machine.
• Ten-wrap coil tattoo machines: generally, these are used in shader tattoo machines. The reason for the increased wrap of coil is that the more skin you’re puncturing, the stronger the machine you need.
• Twelve-wrap coil tattoo machines: these are used for heavy shading that requires 11- or 17-needles.
Adaptability
Electromagnetic tattoo machines nowadays are highly adaptable, allowing artists to specify how deep the needle punctures the skin, the speed with which the needle moves, and the force with which it hits the skin. This allows artists to customize their tattoo machine according to their own likes and dislikes, and to adapt to whatever their current job requires.
Rotary Tattoo Machines
Rotary machines have been around since the late 1800’s (the prototype was created by none other than Thomas Edison, who was trying to make an engraving machine). Samuel O’Reilly revised the design, adding a number of needles that allowed the tattoo artist to rapidly puncture and ink the skin. While rotary tattoo machines are also powered using electromagnetic technology, a wheel powers the motion of the needles.
While they look bad-ass and in the hands of a skilled artist and can help create some gorgeous tattoos, they also can be larger and a bit heavier than electromagnetic machines. Addition they are significantly less efficient. On the other hand, there’s less vibration, making them a bit easier on an artist’s hands, and a lot less noise, making for a more comfortable session for the customer.
Think carefully when purchasing tattoo machines because you really get what you pay for!

