Thanks for this. I'm just learning. In South Africa, and working a full time job, so I'm unable to do an apprenticeship. Even if I could get one, the city I'm in has three shops, and they're all unwilling to take apprentices, cos they don't want the competition. I learn a whole lot from these videos, and by practicing on fruit, and fake skin/foam pads, etc. It also helps that I have an art degree. I bought a couple of cheap chinese machines, called Luo's handmades (I'm not dumb enough to believe they're really handmade) for $80 (Liner and shader), and what I found is that they're really solid, heavy copper machines. I practice stripping them apart and reassembling, and they're really not bad. They run as smooth as my buddy's, who has some Mickey Sharpz, machines. So, yeah. Sometimes you luck out and make do with what you have. I'm definitely going to upgrade once I reach the point where I start tattooing seriously, and work on people, but for inking fruit, these cheapies aren't a bad deal.

@TattooUniversity

7 жыл бұрын

If you know what to look for you can find a decent tattoo machine for cheap. If you watch the videos I've done you can fix it up to work correctly. You just have to find something that has potential. There are some machines out there that aren't worth saving. I find the ones with cast frames work better then the machines with skinny frames.

@levi5930

4 жыл бұрын

I’m in the same boat as you. Also from South Africa. I got told I won’t go anywhere (by a professional) because I have Aspergers Syndrome :) bloody sickening

your videos, all those comments are really eye opener for beginners like me. thanks for those educational videos more power

@TattooUniversity

7 жыл бұрын

glad to help. A lot of the videos out there don't help out beginners. I like to break things down so it makes sense to everyone.

Don't get me wrong. I'm actually trying to encourage you guys to buy better equipment. I've had a lot of headache from the cheap stuff. At the same time I'm not hating on anyone. If this is what you have then I'll help you figure out how to make it better. If you prefer cheap stuff then I'll help you find better quality cheap stuff. I've never been one of those people who has to buy name brand items. I look more for the quality of the equipment and the reputation of the business.

Great advice

Yo this is exactly the power supply, foot pedal, and cord that my friend just gave me last month. I had brought a Kylin tatto machine already and while I appreciate what she did it's been giving me problems not having my machine run at times almost random. Everything with my machine is fine so after process of elimination thats gotta be whats messed up and it hasn't been use for about 3 years now since she used it......any recommendations where I can get better power supply and etc?

Do u have a video on good parts vs bad parts? I mean some of them are pretty obvious. But I have some coils that look copper and when I scrape em its too hard to tell. Is there a way to tell if parts are brass etc? What parts should I keep or trash?

You still haven't made a video on how to get parts online inorder to customize your machine

Dam I wanted to buy this set

before you switched the cords out did you have issues with the machine not running until you dialed to 8.3

@sparkleslordofthunder315

7 жыл бұрын

Jon King i have that problem im buying a better machine but if you find out why it does that let me know

if you watch these videos at 1.25 or 1.5 playback speed he speaks at a normal speed

hello Mr night to meet you.For this one machine how mach ?

I have done the same. They work fine at 3v. Just sayin. when you start raking in the dough go for a custom build. Why not?Forgettaboutit.

You should always be looking to improve your equipment. Some of us started out with these really cheap tattoo kits. There are ways you can improve them. You can switch out the wire for 16 or 18 gauge wire and it will drop your voltage. The cheap cords they make come with really thin wire that doesn't work good. You can't say cheap equipment doesn't work. If you know what your doing you can make anything work. Just trying to be honest with everyone. Don't get caught up in the hype that is out there. Judge a machine by the quality of its parts and how it runs. If you buy a mass produced machine there are going to be a lot of problems with it. The most annoying thing is having a cheap machine break during a tattoo. Always improve the equipment you have and buy better stuff when you can. If this is what you have then you have to make it work. Mass produced machines will come with all kinds of problems. You have to learn how to fix these and tune machines. Builders are selling higher quality machines for cheap now. I've seen some quality machines going for around $150. Try to find a builder who will give you a quality machine for a decent price before spending a lot of money on mass produced stuff.

@clarkkent7431

7 жыл бұрын

most dumbasses dont really no anything about tattoo machines. i got some dragonhawk machines and changes the coil wire and those machines are beast now

@TattooUniversity

7 жыл бұрын

I would say most tattoo artist don't know about machines. They never tune them or care to learn anything about them. I think this puts artist at a disadvantage. The tattoo artist who knows more about their craft will improve and rise above the others.

what about pirate face grinder kit? it says made in the U.S. ive heard good and bad things about them. just wondering

@TattooUniversity

7 жыл бұрын

I would pass on that one. I've read the book that goes with that and you can get it free on the internet. I don't like the frames on those machines. Why have five machines if they all don't work good. I pick the kit with the cast frames because they don't bent. They are more solid and have less vibration. Just a more concrete machine frame to them. I wouldn't pick any cheap machine to fix up. It has to have potential to work.

@TattooUniversity

7 жыл бұрын

They are selling that for $100 and I only paid $50 for the one I bought. If your going to go cheap then it better be cheap. Not going to pay a lot of cheap stuff because I'm going to have to fix it up myself. Drop some time and money into it.

sir,, can u tell me the best tttoo mchine?? with an affordable price liner and shader too and the best drk red and black ink brands?

@TattooUniversity

6 жыл бұрын

The best is what works for you. Sounds like I'm beating around the bush but I'm not. Everyone tattoos differently and likes different things. What is best for me might not be best for you. My suggestion is that you try out some tattoo machines. See how you like them. See if they work good for you. You can always start off with some cheaper knock off rotaries. See if you like them and then buy the more expensive name brand rotary. Cheap coil machines aren't going to work that great unless you know how to adjust them. Buy a coil machine from a home builder or find a decent machine online for $100-200. You have to get your hands on them to know what you like and what works for you.

@angelinewest175

Жыл бұрын

I paid for Micky Sharpz 15 years ago. Hornet liner, custom telephone dial shader. $400 each. They run just and perform today just as well as they did out of the box. I have yet to try rotary.

For real bro?! These Chinese devices doesn't deserve all this fatigue., personally .. I really don't care about the quality of the power supply!! it's all about The tattoo machine, I advise you according to my experience.. you can get a high quality rotary machine gun for 190$!! I'm using stealth 3.0 and it's working pretty well..

@beardedbutcher5333

6 жыл бұрын

The Game Is Over you don't care about the quality of a power source because you've never used a good one !! A good power source not only runs the machine better but also allows you to fine tune more accurately...

@artrivera5141

5 жыл бұрын

Ive used a $400 power supply and a $75 power supply . Both work just as great with my $485 fk irons machines .

Cheap equipment will not last as long and doesn't work as good. You can go to a builder and buy a good tattoo machine for $100-$200. You can get that money back from a couple tattoos when you get good. When your starting out you usually spend more money then you make. If you buy the cheap stuff you will have to fix it. For someone who just wants to tattoo you should buy the good stuff right from the start. If you want to learn about tattoo machines and mess with them buy some cheap stuff. In the beginning your going to snap some wires and mess some stuff up. Do that on a cheap machine. If you go cheap there are some things you have to do. Power Source = Don't go cheap. Buy name brand like eikon or critical. Clip Cords= replace the thin wire with 18 or 16 gauge wire. Tattoo machine= get the right frame and replace everything on it with better stuff Foot pedal= buy a good one or make your own

@michaelvohwinkel7890

5 жыл бұрын

What causes the gun to rip the skin

the heat of the coils can damege the capacitor?

@TattooUniversity

7 жыл бұрын

Heat isn't good for the capacitor. I think it can take a small amount of heat because it is an electrical component. I find that your coils shouldn't be heating up enough to cause a problem. If they are then you have a problem. The machine isn't tuned correctly or something isn't working right. Less voltage means your machine won't heat up as quickly.

@TattooUniversity

7 жыл бұрын

If your machines aren't tuned correctly they can get hot. Mostly because you are turning up your voltage. You have to turn up the voltage to make up for too much tension on the springs or something like that. Is it taking a lot of force to putll down the springs. Machine tuning is an art. There is a balance that needs to be reached. This way the machine works but doesn't over heat. Machines tuned correctly will take a small amount of voltage to run correctly.

@francismachicote7045

7 жыл бұрын

yes...i understand that.i tune my machines all the time and i know that if i give more voltage the coils start heating i put 16g on the back an the front 16g,for les tension.this coils are cheap and dont have a good pull but..a will still trying..thanks man!

@francismachicote7045

7 жыл бұрын

yes...i understand that.i tune my machines all the time and i know that if i give more voltage the coils start heating i put 16g on the back an the front 16g,for les tension.this coils are cheap and dont have a good pull but..a will still trying..thanks man!

Da vinci and Michelangelo didnt use branded paintbrush and canvas yet they made a masterpiece...i live in a 3rd world country anyway...

it's ok with me runs smoothly my power supply fucked up well I use a laptop charger with a cheap machine all is well anyway thanks for the video

@TattooUniversity

7 жыл бұрын

You can make anything work better. I could make one of these home made prison guns and do a good job on a tattoo. The more you know the more adjustments you can make. You can make anything work but you always want to improve your equipment. Maybe look into getting yourself a power source. I'm just guessing if your using your laptop as a charger the power cords probably aren't thick enough. A little thicker cord would help you out. Sounds like you're being creative. I like seeing that in a tattoo artist. Keep practicing and keep improving.

@talewalelo8985

7 жыл бұрын

Tattoo University thank you very much for the kind information 👍👍👍👍

@TattooUniversity

7 жыл бұрын

your welcome

hey buddy can I use this wire? CABLESETC PRO series 21AWG Pure Oxygen Free Stranded Copper Speaker Wire SWG 40/36 - 15 Meters Specifications: Perfect for high end speakers. Good for use with banana plugs. Clear PVC outer jacket. Two conductor cables. Slim wire to provide maximum flexibility for installation Cable Type: Loudspeaker cable Gauge: 21AWG Length: 50 ft PVC color: Clear Resistance per Meter: 0.0087 ohm

@TattooUniversity

7 жыл бұрын

I'm not a electrician. I can't tell you the best wire to use. That is something I'm still researching. I do know that if your wire is too thin it will take more voltage to run your machine. I have used 18gauge speaker wire but I want to start using a thicker wire myself. You do want to prevent it from corrosion. What you show for the wire looks good. I would hook it up and find out. You learn from doing. It sounds good to me.

@prob45aj

7 жыл бұрын

Tattoo University fair enough thanks anyway. I will try few wires and lets see.I saw some other videos and they are using any wire lol. but I am following you coz u r the best keep us update with new stuff thanks again

@TattooUniversity

7 жыл бұрын

prob45aj I'm going over clip cord again in new video. I'm editing it right now. Will be posted soon

@prob45aj

7 жыл бұрын

Tattoo University awesome thanks buddy

I have a cheap one. Can't even get it to power on.

@TattooUniversity

5 жыл бұрын

Problem with the tattoo machine or the power source?

@carolinabarbershop

5 жыл бұрын

@@TattooUniversity no idea

@TattooUniversity

5 жыл бұрын

how many tattoo machines do you have? If you have more than one switch it out and see if the machine works. If it doesn't you need to check your foot pedal is turning on the machine. Switch some things out and see if you can get any response. Also hold foot on pedal and flick the armature bar nipple to see if it will jump start.

@carolinabarbershop

5 жыл бұрын

I only have 1 machine and set up. I can get a video to show. It is probably junk. All good though. I'm not out much.

@TattooUniversity

5 жыл бұрын

@@carolinabarbershop One way to narrow the problem is to switch out the equipment and see if it works. If you are getting no response it could be several things. The machine is out of tune and not set up correctly. This will cause it not to run. The other issue is your foot pedal not working or making good contact. Make sure the metal pieces connect. Could also be your clip cord not making a connection. Plug in the bottom half of the clip cord and then touch the other half to the spring itself. If it starts up then you have a bad connection.

Problem solved by buying a good quality equipment

oh...... my....... god...... you....... speak...... so........ slowly!!!

no disrespect, but I see nothing good about this set up. Power supply, clip cord or foot pedal all cheap low quality junk that you will be replacing in a short time frame. Just because the frame is thick doesnt mean its a good frame. As for the coils, 10 wraps mean nothing, Those coils look like run of the mill China junk, who knows whats under the covers. If you want good machines let me know, I can set you up, but it wont be cheap.

@TattooUniversity

8 жыл бұрын

If you don't mind me asking what are you selling a quality machine for?

@TattooUniversity

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

@TattooUniversity

8 жыл бұрын

If you sell good machines I'll spread the word about you. I used to get a lot of messages asking where to get good machines.

@valentinigarageworks

8 жыл бұрын

Again no disrespect to anyone who reads this but, I just wanted to point out that there a lot of people out there who buy cheap simply to get into tattooing but these machines, cords and pedals will not have the life of quality product. I fully understand that people are counting their dollars and trying to make that buck stretch, but if you are serious about tattooing you will buy quality and the tools you buy will pay for themselves in a short time. People need to remember that good quality product is made to last with simple maintenance. The machines that I build are priced from $300.00 to $375.00 per machine. Just like any trades person your tools are your life, they make you money. Quality tools are important in any trade. If you are serious about this trade you should have good tools. Whether you buy from me or another builder its a step in the right direction. once you use a good quality machine you will scratch your head and wonder why you ever messed around with this offshore junk.

@TattooUniversity

8 жыл бұрын

I agree. I have a couple hand made machines and the quality is better then any cheap machine. I've had to mess with every cheap machine I've had. I haven't had to do much on the better machines. At what point do you buy a machine and your just paying for the name brand. Like buying sneakers or a motorcycle. There are good machines that go for around $100-$200. Paco Rollins machines run like a champ and they are being sold for about $150. Really no bells and whistles. Just good solid machines. I can get a custom made machine from a lesser known builder for $100. Also had a professional put together machine with name brand parts for $150. I would say once you go over $200 your paying for the bells and whistles. I use the good machines at the shop. I don't use the cheap machines there. Unless I've replaced all the parts and I know it runs good. Now cheap machines are used to keep me from messing with the good ones. A good machine will sometimes have sentimental value that goes with it. I wouldn't mess with a machine that I know can't be replaced.