Introduction
There are various symbols to display something important to us. Some of those methods include gifts, posters above our beds, photos or memories, and many more. You could associate something with a certain color or a certain object that could mean a lot to you.
Out of all these, one of the most famous methods is to ink yourself with that memory or moment. Tattoos are seen as one of the most beautiful methods to showcase your love for something. They are and can be inked as small or as big and on any part of your body. They add color to your skin just like paint.
Tattoos are inked into your skin with actual ink. It uses colour or can be in black and white as well. Some artists tattoo people, known as tattoo artists. These artists use a machine to ink the tattoo inside the person’s skin. The ink is inserted deep under the skin, inside the dermis. The dermis consists of fibroblast cells.
These cells trap the pigment from the ink and that is why tattoos hurt so much. They get injected into your body with a needle and stay there forever. Tattoos do fade away but very slightly and you can prevent that with tattoo creams as well.
Now, there is the tattoo machine. The tattoo machine was patented about 100 years ago, however, the new tattoo machines also use the same basic principle to work on. These tattoo machines use electromagnetic coils to move the amateur bar. The amateur bar is placed above the coil and is used to seep the needle inside the skin. This machine pierces the skin at the rate of 3000 times a minute, which proves to be painful.
The amount of pain you experience also depends on the place and size of the tattoo. If you plan to get a tattoo on an intimate part of your body or parts that are very soft, it may hurt a lot. Sometimes if the ink reaches your fatty area, it blotches up completely. But if you get a tattoo on other hard parts of your skin like your wrist or your ankle, it doesn’t hurt as much.
Also, the size of your tattoo decides the time as well as the pain factor. If you get a bigger tattoo, especially with colors, it would take much more time than just a black ink tattoo. It will also hurt more because of the time it takes. However, if you get a small one, it shouldn’t take much time.
Tattoo artists learn most of the art at home but learning the art of tattooing is something they need specialization for. They need to get a license for equipping the machine as well. Whatever they advise you to do is always true. If you have been to a tattoo artist before, they can tell you what products to use based on your skin type as well.
They always sedate their customers a little or numb the area they are going to get inked on. They use numbing creams most of the time for the same purpose. They also advise you to use creams or follow certain rules at home, to keep your tattoo from fading away.
Best Coil Tattoo Machine Reviews
Now that you have seen and understood the different types of tattoos, you can decide what tattoo machine you need to use. If you plan on buying one as an artist, we have reviewed a few of the best coil tattoo machines.
And if you plan on buying it for a home tattoo, make sure you have a license to do so, as it is not safe to get tattoos without the correct safety measures. Hoping, everyone is licensed, here a few of the best products:
1. Mast Tattoo Machine Traditional Handmade Coil Machine (Liner+Shader)
Mast has made a very sturdy and professional coil tattoo machine. It is an excellent rounder for lining as well as shading. It has a solid brass binding that doesn’t let it fall apart, along with the contact screw, which is equally strong. It is not too fast, instead has a medium speed which is great for tattooing. It can accommodate around 10 wrap coils along with a 47uf capacitor.
The frame is made of iron and has a standard tube vise. They also have great customer service. If you are dissatisfied with their product, you can always inform the team and they may even refund the money back. This is a liner plus a shader but you can buy each of them separately as well.
The coil has a little dull hit, so if you need something stronger, you may have to replace it. The product also doesn’t contain any Mast logo, so, we don’t know if it is authentic but it works perfectly.
Product Dimensions: 9.09 x 4.76 x 2.72 inches
Product Weight: 1.52 Pounds
Pros
- Sturdy and solid brass binding
- 10 wrap coils and 47uf capacitor
- Lining and Shading
- Great customer service
Cons
- Dull hit
- Doesn’t have the logo
2. Dragonhawk 2pcs Brass Coils Tattoo Machine Straight Shader Circle Liner
DragonHawk is a very well known brand for Brass Coil Tattoo Machines as well as other tattoo equipment. It is built of a billet brass frame and consists of a CNC cut. This is also designed with a standard tube vise. It also includes a shader as well as a liner. The shader can accommodate 10 wrap coils whereas the liner can accommodate 8 wrap coils.
The shader runs at a 120Hz frequency, while the liner runs at a 150 Hz frequency. Both have a power of 8V. They, too, have amazing customer service and will refund your money back if you are not satisfied with the product or service.
The coils, however, may start overheating and the product is not assembled correctly. Thus, you have to check it out before using it and adjust it constantly.
Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.5 x 2.5 inches
Product Weight: 1.6 Pounds
Pros
- CNC cut
- Liner plus Shader
- 10 wrap coils
- Great Customer Service
Cons
- Coils Overheat
- Adjust assembly constantly
3. Professional Coil Tattoo Machine, 10 Wraps Coils Liner/Shader Machine Body Art Supply
This is a Professional Coil Tattoo Machine, just as the name suggests. It is a liner as well as a shader machine. The hit on this coil machine is quite strong but the speed is medium. If you want a faster speed you will get a coil with very little hit and you wouldn’t want that. It has a very stable and sturdy design.
It works well due to its 10 wrap coil accommodation. It also consists of a 47 UF capacitor, which makes it suitable for a hook type tattoo clip cord. It works perfectly fine with any type of needle or handles, whichever would be convenient for you.
It is also the perfect product for a tattoo artist as it is easy to use. It also comes in various colors ranging from blue, purple, and red to gold and silver. The voltage on this one maybe a little less as compared to others but it works just fine. It also gets a little heavy to use if you are not accustomed to tattoo machines.
Pros
- Various colors
- Strong hit with medium speed
- 10 wrap coils
- Suitable for any type of handle and needle
- Suitable for hook type tattoo clip cord
Cons
- Less voltage
- A little heavy
4. Redscorpion Coil Tattoo Machine Gun Set for Liner and Shader Alloy Frame
Redscorpion is an amazing company and a known brand for tattoo equipment or whole kits. Their tattoo machines are usually very sturdy, just like this one. It is made of alloy and includes a shader and a liner. The liner can wrap up to 8 coils whereas the shader can wrap 10 coils.
This coil tattoo machine is extremely stable and has a uniform speed. It reduces the damage to your skin, giving you smooth and easy lines. The shader is smooth and easy to color with. This machine works without overheating for as long as 8 hours. The machine works with low noise and the spring has high flexibility. It is extremely strong and doesn’t get ruined as easily.
Also, the customer service provided by this brand is very friendly. The given link offers 2 pieces of tattoo machines, but you can also check out one if that’s what you are looking for. Although, the tube cap on this one strips off easily. Also, the liner and shader look the same, so you have to figure out which one of those performs what function.
Product Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 3 inches
Product Weight: 9.6 Ounces
Pros
- 10 wrap coils
- Smooth and easy lines and color
- Reduce Damage to the skin
- No overheating
- High flexibility in spring
Cons
- Cannot differentiate between liner and shader
- Tube cap strips off easily
5. Professional Black Coil Tattoo Machine Compact Liner
The brand name of this professional coil tattoo machine is Doiche. This product of theirs has a very elegant design. The surface of the product is hard to scratch and is made with just the right size. The shape of the machine round also making wear-resistant it looks quite stylish. The base of the machine is extremely strong and uses a rotating motor to tattoo.
It is powerful and stable. It has a low frequency though, so it is stronger and also gives a quiet environment to the person getting a tattoo. It is made with alloy and is lightweight and compact in shape and size. It doesn’t get ruined easily, thus, is great for beginners as well as advanced tattoo artists.
It also has the normal voltage that other tattoo machines have. It doesn’t get overheated very soon and works continuously for 8 hours. Since the speed is fast, the hit will be a little full and the machine may seem heavy for some people.
Product Dimensions: 0.39 x 0.39 x 0.39 inches
Product Weight: 5.29 Ounces
Pros
- Elegant design, light and compact
- Low frequency
- Powerful and stable
- No overheating
- Great for beginners and advanced tattoo artists
Cons
- Dull hit
- Heavy
6. Mummy Coil Tattoo Machine Handmade Iron Frame 8 Wrap Coils Set Liner
Mummy Coil Tattoo Machine is a great machine for licensed tattoo users. The frame is made up of billet cast iron and has a CNC cut. It has a complete copper contact which means that it is wear-resistant and has good conductivity. It also has a low carbon deposition which is great. The amateur bar has a good attraction and a strong slap force.
It can accommodate 10 wrap coils and has a 33 UF liner capacitor. It works for long hours without any heat and has a precise coil winding. They also provide you with a 30-day guarantee that if any product is ruined they will fix or exchange it or even refund.
The thing with this machine, however, is that you need to tune it before every use as it hasn’t been done correctly, so you need to make sure of that and apart from that, it is a little heavy as well but works perfectly fine.
Product Dimensions: 4.72 x 4.33 x 2.36 inches
Product Weight: 10.72 Ounces
Pros
- CNC cut
- Strong slap force
- 30-day guarantee
- No overheating
- 10 wrap coils
Cons
- Needs tuning before every use
- Heavy
7. Wormhole Tattoo Gun Aircraft Grade Aluminum Coil Tattoo Machine
Wormhole tattoo machines are great products. This one can be secured with any type of handle or needle that is convenient to you. It is designed with Aircraft Grade Aluminum and this makes it light in weight. It consists of 5 to 6 CNC frames which make it quieter and exquisite. The liner can accommodate 10 wrap coils.
The coil core is made up of high carbon steel which makes it more durable and gives it longer service life. The spring is made of manganese steel with strong elasticity and strong fatigue resistance. They also have great customer service. It is heavier than other machines and the surface is not scratch resistant.
Product Dimensions: 3.94 x 3.9 x 1.89 inches
Product Weight: 10.51 Ounces
Pros
- Can use any type of handle of the needle
- 5 to 6 CNC frames
- 10 wrap coils
- Long life
- Strong elasticity
Cons
- Heavy
- Not scratch resistant
8. Mini Dietzel Power Liner Tattoo Machine by HM Tools & Dye
Mini Dietzel as its name suggests, is a small coil tattoo machine. It consists of a CNC machined iron frame. The liner can accommodate 10 wrap coils. It includes black oxide iron fittings and silver contact screws which give it a durable performance.
It gives long strokes with hard hits and thus has a lower speed. This one is also available in different colors like black and copper. This product, however, is extremely expensive and very heavy even though it is small in size.
Product Weight: 12 Ounces
Pros
- 10 wrap coils
- Iron fittings
- Durable and long strokes
- Various colors
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Slow speed
9. Anself Pro Tattoo Machine Gun Shader Liner 10 Wrap Coils
The Anself Pro Tattoo Machine has the best feature of rainbow colour. It is made up of high end but low carbon steel casting. The brand gives you an option of a liner as well as a shader. It has a very unique design. The spring is highly elastic and works for a longer period. The amateur bar is an excellent conductor due to its iron quality.
It is completely stable and can thus work for 8 hours at a stretch without heating up. Both the liner and the shader can accommodate 10 wrap coils. Thus, it is extremely suitable for any amateur or experienced tattoo artist.
The inner parts of this machine are a little loose, so you will have to tighten them up and it also is not suitable to access other needles or handles if you want to. But overall it is a great coil tattoo machine.
Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 4.2 x 1.7 inches
Product Weight: 7.2 Ounces
Pros
- Rainbow color
- No overheating
- Highly elastic spring
- Excellent amateur bar
Cons
- Parts need to be tightened
- Not suitable for different handles or needles
10. Wormhole Tattoo Gun Aircraft Grade Aluminum Coil Tattoo Machine
Once again, Wormhole is here, to prove that it is truly one of the greatest brands regarding a coil tattoo machine. It is a liner and can be matched with any type of handle or needle. It is also made of aircraft-grade aluminum and has a built-in 5 axis CNC frame.
This makes the machine gun very smooth and quiet while operating. The liner can accommodate 10 wraps and is highly durable. The spring is also extremely elastic and can make the machine last for more than 8 hours without heating up.
The sterling silver contact screw makes the whole tattoo gun more conductive. It has a 47 UF capacitor which is the highest in any machine. They also have great customer service. It is a little expensive and since the speed is high, the hit on this is quite dull.
Product Dimensions: 3.86 x 3.82 x 1.97 inches
Product Weight: 10.23 Ounces
Pros
- 5 axis CNC frame
- Suitable for any handle or needle type
- 8 hours without overheating
- 47 UF capacitor
- Great customer service
Cons
- Expensive
- Hit is dull
11. Dragonhawk Coils Tattoo Machine Lining Machine 4460 (Lining)
Dragonhawk is also here proving its greatness in the coil tattoo machine department. This one is designed with a cast-iron frame. It can also wrap up to 10 coils and the best part is that it can be used as a shader from the same gun itself.
This machine is great for beginner level or advanced level tattoo artists. It is made of high-quality material and thus, lasts longer than others. The spring is highly elastic and anti-fatigue. You need to tighten up some of the parts in this one as well. It may also start to dry up faster.
Product Dimensions: 5.16 x 4.84 x 1.65 inches
Product Weight: 6.91 Ounces
Pros
- 10 coil wraps
- Liner and shader in one
- Lasts longer
Cons
- Some parts need to be tightened
- Dries up faster
Buying Guide
Above, we have reviewed 11 of the best coil tattoo machines we think are available for beginners and experienced level tattoo artists alike. We think you would surely end up buying at least one of these, based on what you are looking for.
But if you are new to tattooing and do not know what exactly you need when buying a tattoo machine, we are here to help. Given below is a buying guide, on what exactly you need to keep in mind when buying a coil tattoo machine. Some of them are:
Frames
Frames are the most important thing to consider when buying a coil tattoo machine. They decide the weight and the durability of the machine. The frames hold the inner parts of the machine in place. You can have options between an iron frame or a brass frame. The brass frames are a little heavier as compared to iron frames. However, iron frames end up vibrating during the operation, unlike the brass ones. Apart from this, you also have the option to choose between zinc and aluminum frames, both of which are extremely light in weight. The frames also help in reducing the amount of pain an individual would feel while getting tattooed. Thus, frames need to be checked before anything else.
Coil Wraps
The coil wraps in a tattoo machine are the number of times the wire is wrapped around the coil. The wrap around the coil varies from 8 to 12 wraps. The 8 wrap is great for lining whereas the 12 wrap is better for shading as it is a thicker wrap. The coils decide the shade and the power of the hit and thus the speed of the machine as they are inversely proportional. When you use an 8 coil wrap, it is better for a thinner line. When it comes to a thicker shade you need to have a thicker coil wrapped. Thus, it all depends on the type of tattoo you need. You can also change the coils based on the tattoo if you are a tattoo artist looking for one.
Speed
Now, this factor also completely depends upon what you are comfortable with. If you want a gun that hits inside the skin harder, you will get a gun that has a lower speed. If you want a dull gun, then its speed will be faster. Thus, the two are inversely proportional. It may not always be true, some guns could have a higher hit and medium speed which also works well. That is the kind of gun you should buy, but if you do not mind the other two options, you can go ahead with them.
Customer Service
Amazon has a 30-day return policy but sometimes even the brand that you are ordering from may give you a certain time limit for refund, return or even solving your queries. These should help you with any problem you have regarding your gun or if you have any trouble using it. Great customer service goes a long way. People start trusting the brand and if helped with, they enjoy or buy more products from the same. Also, some of the brands provide an all-time guarantee offer. They guarantee that the product would last for a certain time or would have certain features and would not fail. Thus, some of these are very important to remember.
Budget
This is always the most important part of buying absolutely anything. You must always keep in mind the amount you can spend on a machine gun. Tattoo machine guns need to be maintained and kept hygienically. To do so, you must buy certain extra products. Even if you just plan on buying a coil tattoo machine, you must always be careful with the money you spend. You can get a lot of the same features that you need in other tattoo machines that may be cheaper than the ones you find. Beware of these things and spend on only what you think will be worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
Seeing the buying guide you must know what exactly you have in mind to buy a tattoo machine. But there are always a few doubts most of us have regarding these machines. Thus listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions.
- Are all coil machines the same?
No, the frames of each coil machine are different. It needs to be the perfect material, the screws need to be fixed right, the tube vise needs to be of standard size. Apart from this, many other factors make or break the coil tattoo machine and thus, they are not all the same.
- What is the best way to clean your tattoo machines?
You must use the vaseline method. In this method, all you need to do is take vaseline and insert it between the contact screw and spring. The dirt collected will automatically get trapped in the vaseline once you start the machine at the fastest rate possible.
- How to keep your tattoo machine safe?
Tattoo machines require to be kept hygienic as a lot of people use the same tattoo machine. You must always change the needle but it is safer to sanitize your machine as well. You must also change the tubes and keep your machine up to date.
Conclusion
Tattoos are really meaningful and important to most of the people who get them. Getting a tattoo may be difficult but getting the tattoo machine isn’t now. We have discussed absolutely everything you need to know about tattoo machines.
With the review and the buying guide, you have nothing to worry about. Now, you can easily purchase the best coil tattoo machine for you. We hope this article helped you. Reach out to us, in case of any queries. Thank you!
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