Can anyone recomend a decent tattoo machine for someone starting off?

nicolo

my budgets about 100- 150, cheers!

Hellrazer

Whatever you do dont use ebay.Machines are mass produced sh!t from China and basically need stripping down and rebuilding with decent parts.Theyre really only good for the frames.


Go to Unimax.com and buy 2 Apollo Ironstars or Strongman.You`ll preferably need 2.One liner and 1 shader.

Starting off Id buy one of each of the above as the Strongman is a very heavy machine and can be hard to get used to the weight of it.

Both the above machines are €60.00 each and have been compared to machines worth $200+

Including delivery you`ll be looking at $150.00.Factor in another 50 euro if you get caught for duty and you`ll have 2 decent well running machines for under 180 euros.

Or if you know anyone going to NYC in the next while get them to call in to the shop for you and the 2 will only cost you 120 dollars.Shops open 24 hours and they always have the machines in stock.

Hope this helps.
Richie.

nicolo

yep that pretty much exactly what i needed, thanks man!

nicolo

actually probably a dumb question but that link to unimax seems to be some telephone thing is that the right adsdess? is there a direct link to a page thats selling/reviewing them?

nicolo

also im completely starting off new so would these be a good starter kit?

amazingemmet

Are you doing an apprenticeship? If not i'd hold of on a machine til you've got one

Hand_Of_Steel

I believe the site that was supposed to be linked was www.unimaxsupplies.com

Blub2k4

Personally I'd get an apprenticeship and then work with your mentor on whatever machines they advise.

Baggio...

nicolo wrote:

my budgets about 100- 150, cheers!

You wont get decent machines for that price.

nicolo

suppose but im having difficulty getting an apprenticeship so i tought id go the old fashioned route and just get a machine and start practising, don't have any more money then that so im screwed basically.

amazingemmet

No the old fashioned route is by getting an apprenticeship. Don't start practicing on yourself or other people as you'll end up just being another scratcher.

Hellrazer

amazingemmet wrote:

No the old fashioned route is by getting an apprenticeship. Don't start practicing on yourself or other people as you'll end up just being another scratcher.

Its easier said than done over here to be honest.In the UK an apprenticeship is a lot easier to come by.Nicolo if you can get an apprenticeship then go for it.

I love the way you use the term "scratcher"--Most of the big artists started as "scratchers" in their kitchens and bedrooms.Sure some of them didnt even have formal apprenticeships.


Obviously an apprenticeship is the best way to learn but over here its such a closed industry that its nearly impossible to get someone to take you on.

As soon as I have my portfolio complete(and complete in a way that I think I may have a chance to get an apprenticeship) Im going to pester every shop I can think of to try and get some to take me on.

It may take a couple of years for me to get there but in my opinion its the only real way to learn.

Also practising on yourself and willing "victims" is a legitimate way to practice once CC/bbp and sterile practice is adhered to and those people realise that you are a learner.

For me Ill just keep taking my art classes and "scratching" until I get someones attention and who`ll give me one chance at an apprenticeship.

Baggio...

nicolo wrote:

suppose but im having difficulty getting an apprenticeship so i tought id go the old fashioned route and just get a machine and start practising, don't have any more money then that so im screwed basically.

Best way is through an apprenticeship no doubt of that... It's vital that you have good machines and know how to set 'em up properly. You can do it by yourself if you are very dedicated (now I'm not saying I agree with that particular route). But for all those nays ayers just look at some of the old school tattoo guys - they are all self-taught.

However, if you are going to do it alone do a shed load of research on the medical issues that are involved. You've got to have an autoclave, or at least access to one - 1000 euros at least a btw). Get yourself that book by Huck Spaulding, I'm sure there are some other books now days too.

Best off hanging around some of the Tattoo shops, and getting inked by some of the artist. Even if they can't offer you an apprenticeship they might give you some decent advise on how to start.

Baggio...

amazingemmet wrote:

you'll end up just being another scratcher.

Very true... Most people who start off themselves end up being crap amateurs. Not all, but most..

Hellrazer

Baggio... wrote:

However, if you are going to do it alone do a shed load of research on the medical issues that are involved. You've got to have an autoclave, or at least access to one - 1000 euros at least a btw). Get yourself that book by Huck Spaulding, I'm sure there are some other books now days too.

Actually these days you dont even need an autoclave if you use disposeables.As for the book by Huck Spaulding--its a good read but wont teach you much as its way out of date--he even recommends autoclaving needles in it
For machine tuning and rebuilding its quite good but the medical side of it just way too old for the current climate.
Anyone wants a copy I have it here in PDF.
Guy Aitchinsons book "Reinventing the tattoo" is 10 times better.

Eire_Tattoo

Hellrazer wrote:

Actually these days you dont even need an autoclave if you use disposeables.As for the book by Huck Spaulding--its a good read but wont teach you much as its way out of date--he even recommends autoclaving needles in it
For machine tuning and rebuilding its quite good but the medical side of it just way too old for the current climate.
Anyone wants a copy I have it here in PDF.
Guy Aitchinsons book "Reinventing the tattoo" is 10 times better.

Hellrazer if I send you my email can you send me on the book on pdf. It is a book I have been meaning to get out of interest. I read that Huck Spaulding bought the book off a Tattoer that was down and out and didn't write it himself.

The Machinegun mags are pretty good for tuning and rebuilding also but are a bit biased towards parts suppliers.

Baggio...

Hellrazer wrote:

Actually these days you dont even need an autoclave if you use disposeables.As for the book by Huck Spaulding--its a good read but wont teach you much as its way out of date--he even recommends autoclaving needles in it

Good point...I knew Huck's book would be slightly out of date - but I'm a bit of auld fella' so I'm behind the times.:o

nicolo

well obviously id like to get an apprentice ship but its just not happening.so im not going the self taught route out of some stubborn ego thing. we all gotta start somewhere, likewise hellrazer could you send me that book? twud be muchos appreciated.

Magic Eight Ball

Listen to Richie, he'll point you in the right direction. Top block, helped me out a lot.
And dont listen to Baggio, he thinks he's a specialist on EVERY subject!!
He's nothing more then a armchair spectator spouting information he overheard smoeone else say..

Baggio...

Trevor Coulahan wrote:

And dont listen to Baggio, he thinks he's a specialist on EVERY subject!!He's nothing more then a armchair spectator spouting information he overheard smoeone else say..

Please elaborate - I'd be interested to hear what subjects I'm supposed to be such an "expert" in. I never claimed to be a tattoo artist. However, I was doing an apprenticeship about 5 years ago in Miguel's place, and have done some tattoos some on myself and mates, so I have some experience in the subject. I even said in my own post that I was behind the times. I left the apprenticeship as I wanted to concentrate on my art career, and I now work as a professional artist and designer.

hot2def

i dont buy this "I just can't get an apprenticeship, its soooo tought here" lark I keep hearing, usually from 17-19 year old lads. I got one. The steps were as follows.

finish school. ask around, no luck. went on to do degree in Fine Art, gain 10 year experience with graffiti art, put together portfolio, work in a studio for 2 years, hit 24, asked again, got apprenticeship with an artist i admire.

i wonder what changed between 17 and 24?

amazingemmet

hot2def wrote:

i dont buy this "I just can't get an apprenticeship, its soooo tought here" lark I keep hearing, usually from 17-19 year old lads. I got one. The steps were as follows.

finish school. ask around, no luck. went on to do degree in Fine Art, gain 10 year experience with graffiti art, put together portfolio, work in a studio for 2 years, hit 24, asked again, got apprenticeship with an artist i admire.

i wonder what changed between 17 and 24?

Some great advice there if you can read between the lines and not ignore it.

Where's your apprenticeship?

hot2def

with John in Celestial Ring.


And before someone points it out, I started writing when I was 15, not 17, so ten years since then.....

Shelli

Sweet, John is a fantastic artist, I hope to get my back piece done by him mext year sometime.

Will

hot2def: possibly the best advice out there that I have seen, for aspiring tattooists.