All my Tattoo Machines are handmade and no two ever look exactly alike. All the Tattoo Machines I build have a vintage look and feel. I build my steel frames from scratch and always do my own casting, one Machine at a time. Most of the time I make my own binding posts and armature bars but sometimes I don't. I never build my own coils, I have friends who do it better than I could, and I like to support my friends.
I almost always cut my own springs. I also buy the screws and washers, don't laugh, I could easily make these myself but I see no reson why I should, although at times I do punch my own shims.
All steel frames are welded, 1018 and/or damascus steel. Cast frames are Ancient Bronze, just like our ancestors used to make weapons. I always use 1", 10 wrap coils on my machines, but sometimes I'll use 1-1/4" coils on the steel frames.
Bronze frames usually have a 1/4" yoke which makes for a smooth running machine. Since my Machines are handmade one at a time this thickness can vary, but I try to keep yokes as close to 1/4" as possible.
The coil shelf on the steel frames are always 1/4" as well. Contact screws are usually 10-24 brass, copper or silver, whatever I have on hand at the time. Sometimes they're 8-32.
Also, my machines are built to fit AMERICAN SAE size tubes. Metric and disposable tubes might not fit right. This potential problem is easily solved by using PROFESSIONAL, American-made, metal tubes, not disposable scratcher crap.
Sales Info:
Because my machines are not mass-produced and I don't build machines on a regular basis I don't keep an inventory. I also don't like building them to order because I like to do what I want, when I want. As I build machines I'll offer them for sale here as one-off builds. If you want a machine you'll only be able to get what I have at the time I have it. This is how I believe hand-made should be.
I apologize that I don't have a "waiting list" for my machines. I just don't like the pressure of having to build a certain type of machine and then play email tag trying to find out if the person still wants it or not. Not having a list allows me to do what I want, when I want. I can experiment and keep spontaneity in the building process. It also helps keep it an art form instead of a labor.
Standard Machines:
The Apothacary, Cast Bronze, Short frame geometry.
The Jalopy, Welded Steel, Long frame geometry.
The Thor's Hammer, Cast Bronze, Long frame geometry.
Old School Bulldog, Welded Steel, Long frame geometry.
