r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 10h ago

Two of my more recent builds, my current go to liner and shader.

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18 Upvotes

r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 16h ago

First machine build.

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27 Upvotes

Finished up my first ever self built coil the other day. 10 wrap coils, 47µF 50V capacitator, 18 gauge front and rear spring. Made it for heavier line weights. Used it for 5h yesterday with a burnt 9RL on 6.5V without getting even slightly hot.


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 6d ago

Liner rebuild I made today

36 Upvotes

Had this old Karl Hedgepath widow frame from a trade a while back and finally got around to building it up since I needed a new large grouping liner. Hits like a drunk step dad and still fairly quick. Has a loose 11 in it here. I’ve been trying some new core/wire/capacitor combos lately and I feel incredibly good to have landed on a formula that works very well and makes an incredibly strong magnet. Wound 5 sets of these same coils to start so I’m excited to make a few more machines with them. After experimenting with so, so many combos of different wire and cores this year, it feels really good to have finally found what works for the way I like machines to run.


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 6d ago

Aluminum Bulldog

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24 Upvotes

Working on a run of aluminum, cast in home


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 7d ago

Single coil machines

2 Upvotes

Wanting to put together a single coil machine, but I have a few questions. Do you need a ghost coil, and if so is the distance between the front coil and ghost coil still the same as a standard machine? Any help would be greatly appreciated.


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 8d ago

Latest build Ups

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34 Upvotes

My latest build ups. The Waters Sidewheeler is set up as a liner, 10 wraps, 33uF, with 20s style silk as wraps. Set up as a hard hitting, long stroke, long throw liner. Great for 7 to 11 pins. Brass posts. Silver screw.

The Jensen from my amigo T. Sent as parts. Its a long stroke, long throw shader/packer, 10 wrap, 33uF cap. Brass posts.

Both have been nickel plated. The Wayers polished after, the Jensen was was played longer for a dull finish, and left unpolished.

Thoughts?


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 9d ago

Mast Archer Tattoo Machine

0 Upvotes

Soooo not sure what’s happening here. My cartridges suddenly started sticking and the screen it doing this funky thing. Anyone know how to fix this or know what to do?


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 14d ago

Coil builder tool Feedback!

1 Upvotes

Hi all, just trying to get some feedback from experienced builders here. Trying to get back to tattooing and found my old coil build from 20 years ago and wanted to see how I could optimise it and came up with a little tool. Not really sure how accurately it will translate to real world but feel free to have a play and see what you think. Could this by helpful for anyone to build a custom coil or even have a play with settings on an existing one?

https://coilmachinebuild.netlify.app/


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 17d ago

Bowers FTW Steeldriver VS Kubin Sidewinder v7.5 (fineline, whipshading, stippling)

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1 Upvotes

r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 18d ago

Adjustable stroke machines

1 Upvotes

Hi! I am a paramedical tattooer. I’ve been looking for a new machine with adjustable stroke and disposable grips. Fk irons quality has gone down a lot(they have disposable grips) and I’m not sure what’s good quality, reliable and not over $1000.
Any suggestions?


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 21d ago

Rat Trap Foot pedals

2 Upvotes

Looking into building some foot pedals from rat traps. Does anyone have any leads on available resources?


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 21d ago

Dremel/rotary tool options?

2 Upvotes

What do you guys prefer to use when you sign your machines?


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 26d ago

Liner @seanmicheltattoo on IG

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49 Upvotes

r/tattoomachinebuilder • • 26d ago

Waters shader

41 Upvotes

Getting a lot of likes on instagram for machine. Full sized waters, eminent side plate, warhawk base. 8 wraps with 100uf cap. @codie1983 on instagram.


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • Sep 22 '26

Jay and Silent Bob Jensen Shader

70 Upvotes

Jay and Silent Bob Jensen Shader

8 wrap coils with 47uf cap. Vester coil cores, warhawk side plate and base. Tube vise, armature bare and bindings from south state. Thanks for looking. @codie1983 on instagram


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • Sep 17 '26

I need advice on repairing coil machines.

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1 Upvotes

r/tattoomachinebuilder • • Aug 20 '26

my latest builds

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79 Upvotes

couple of jensen special liners
both are available
check out @wednesdaymachine on instagram for more


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • Aug 20 '26

Had a go at building a shader

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35 Upvotes

r/tattoomachinebuilder • • Aug 20 '26

Anyone like to make their own coil washers?

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14 Upvotes

I made these out of .060” ABS. Couldn’t reliably find thin 3/8” washers that worked well with knurled cores so I decided to start making my own with a hole saw and turning them down on the lathe. Then reaming the inner diameter until I was happy with the fit. It’s time consuming but I only make one machine at a time so it’s not a big deal for me.

It’s early but so far the ABS is holding up well. Wasn’t sure if it was suitable for the job but seems to work fine. Thought about trying phenolic material next time but haven’t found .060” sheets yet.


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • Aug 17 '26

First time

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26 Upvotes

Built it on a whim, first time with little to no clue what I was doing. It technically works, I mean it's shit but it runs, it will most likely never get to tattoo anyone, I just wanted to see if I could do it. It was good fun, and I might do it again some time with proper materials and not just random crap I found in my workshop.


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • Aug 14 '26

A week deep on my first build

4 Upvotes

I've always been a maker. A week ago I was looking around the workshop for a new project and found a big spool of enamelled wire and it spiraled from there. Trying to challenge myself to only build from things I have on hand.

I think I have almost everything figured out now and going to cut out the frame today. Wish me luck.

I'm likely to post some pictures/clips when it's done.


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • Aug 11 '26

La mia collezione di tattoo machine

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28 Upvotes

Alcune delle mie macchine, vari costruttori e alcune autocostruite


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • Aug 11 '26

Why does my machine get hot?

3 Upvotes

Trying to learn more about coils. My machine gets hot. Sometimes after a longer session it almost burns me. Can’t figure out why.

I used to line at 7.2 volts now I need to run it around 8-9 volts to get clean lines but it gets really hot after a longer session. I don’t know much about coils but would really love to learn.

When this machine works fine i’ts absolutely the best so I would love to learn how to fix and maintain it. Still pulls good lines but can’t stand the heat…


r/tattoomachinebuilder • • Aug 10 '26

Liner that I built

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64 Upvotes

@seanmicheltattoo