Is your tattoo machine not working? Here is a list of the top 10 tattoo machine problems you may encounter. We’ve been in the business of making them for close to a decade now and we’ve encountered our fair share of problems and have come up with just as many fixes.
1. The Throw is too Weak
Troubleshoot: You are running the machine and the needle is barely moving. No matter how much you turn up the voltage, the needle does not appear to have enough up and down motion. This may be caused by a back spring that does not have enough tension.
Fix: Loosen the back spring screw, flip the back spring/armature bar/front spring assembly around and turn it around so that the front spring is facing downward on the other side of the frame (basically you did a 180 with the assembly). Carefully bend the back spring downward to create more tension, do this a little at a time, a little goes a long way. Put the assembly back in its original position and tighten.
2. My Grip Keeps Loosening
Fix: 3 possible reasons
1) Even though you may have tightened the hex bolts on the grip and the tube on a 3 piece metal tube assembly, you may not have tightened the hex bolt enough. Some of those hex bolts on stainless steel or aluminum grips (if they have been used for a long time) get worn down so you may need to really tighten it in order to get it to clamp onto the tube. Just be careful not to strip the head, or your left with a useless grip
2) If the thumb screw of your tube vise tightens but the tube and grip doesn’t seem to, it may be because the point where your thumb screw goes into the frame is not getting enough tension. This can be fixed by adding in a spacer washer. Sometimes a plastic one is better than a metal one as plastic compresses more when tightened.
3) If the above 2 fixes don’t work, check the threading on the thumb screw. Through wear and tear, the tip of the screw thread will wear down faster than the rest of it. This is because you are mainly screwing in the tip when you tighten. If the threading appears worn, its time to get a new thumb screw.
3. My Tattoo Machine was Working Fine Till I Took it Apart
Troubleshoot: So you decided to take apart your machine and when you put it back together it is not working anymore.
Fix:
There are quite a few parts and aside from remembering where they were supposed to go, you should have noted which direction certain washers faced and where along the screws they were oriented. For example, both the top binding post screw and the back binding post screw should be insulated from the frame by a plastic or rubber washer. Most tattoo machines will have a simple washer on one side and a washer with an elongated plastic tube sticking out from the other. The plastic tube end should go into the frame. This tube insulates the threading of the screw so it does not allow current to pass to the frame. Also, the 2 circular connectors from the coils/capacitor assembly must be touching the top binding post and the back binding post, if they are behind the plastic washer, they will either not work, or will not work as effectively.
4. My Tattoo Machine Cuts in and Out
Troubleshoot: This is likely caused by a weak connector in the circuit somewhere along the tattoo machine
Fix:
If you have taken apart your machine at any time before, inspect the wiring to ensure no wires got clamped or damaged when you were putting them back on. The wires are not very thick and are attached by small solder joints, if any of those joints were damaged, the machine will cut in and out. Another possibility is the clip cord not making a full connection. This may be from an oxidized point of contact. You can fix this by taking a bit of sand paper and sanding clean the clip cord prongs. If the machine cuts in and out when you move it in certain angles, it is likely caused by a clip cord not making a full connection.
5. I have to Turn up the Voltage to Max to get the Machine to Run
Troubleshoot: This is likely the same issue as No. 3 where your springs do not have enough tension. Same fix as No.3.
Fix:
Loosen the back spring screw, flip the back spring/armature bar/front spring assembly around and turn it around so that the front spring is facing downward on the other side of the frame (basically you did a 180 with the assembly). Carefully bend the back spring downward to create more tension, do this a little at a time, a little goes a long way. Put the assembly back in its original position and tighten.
6. Sparking Between the Front Spring and Contact Screw
Troubleshoot: Some tattoo machines will spark a little bit but if you get excessive sparking then it may be a problem. Possible causes of excessive sparking is a rear spring that has been bent too tight, installation of a new front spring that has been plated or a bad capacitor.
Fix: Rear spring too tight
This would be the opposite of bending the rear spring for more tension, loosen the back spring screw, flip the back spring/armature bar/front spring assembly around and turn it around so that the front spring is facing downward on the other side of the frame (basically you did a 180 with the assembly). Carefully bend the back spring upward to decrease the tension. Put the assembly back in its original position and tighten.
Fix: New front spring
Not much of a fix here to be honest, you’ll just need to run the machine for a while till the contact screw takes off the plating layer and then it should stop sparking. If your machine is brand new and is sparking, this may be the fix for it.
Fix: Bad capacitor
If you have a capacitor that is the wrong uF, then it may cause the sparking. Liners will need to run a lower uF and shaders will need to run a higher uF capacitor. You may want to drop by Radioshack to pick up a few and test them with your setup. They are easy to solder on and off.
7. Needles are Chewing up the Skin
Troubleshoot: This is a tough one as it may simply boil down to lack of experience working with your needle depth. However, if this pertains to problems with a tattoo machine, two possible causes is your armature bar/springs assembly is crooked or your frame geometry is messed up.
Fix:
The armature bare/springs assembly is a simple one as you’ll just need to ensure that the back spring connecting to the front spring and the armature below are positioned so they form a straight line in relation to the back binding post. There are tools that you can use to ensure you have them straight but generally speaking, eyeballing will do just fine. If your frame geometry is messed up, your out of luck, look at the machine from the top, midline and forward position from the back binding post. If the frame is noticeably bent in any of these views, you have bad geometry. Also, if you put the grip in and you can see that it is going in at a slant, same deal. It’s possible to bend the frame, if this is the case, please see the next troubleshoot on our list.
8. My Grip is coming out of the Tube Vise at a Slant
Troubleshoot: Title says it all; your tube grip is coming out of the tube vise at a slant. This is due to poor geometry of the frame.
Fix:
This fix is not highly recommended as you run the risk of really messing up your frame. However, if you must, we suggest you get a stainless steel tube and grip and tighten it to the tube vise. Note which direction the slant is and put a thick towel on a sturdy table. Position the machine on the table so you have decent leverage against the slant with the position you want the tube grip to move towards facing downward. Hold the grip firmly in your hand and press downward. Monitor your strength; you do not want to overdo it. It is better to have bent too little then it is to bend too much as you can always try again.
9. My Tattoo machine keeps getting Hot
Troubleshoot: Possible causes are you are using too much voltage, springs are too heavy of a gauge or your armature/springs setup has too much tension.
Fix: Armature/springs too much tension
Same as number 6, opposite of bending the rear spring for more tension, loosen the back spring screw, flip the back spring/armature bar/front spring assembly around and turn it around so that the front spring is facing downward on the other side of the frame (basically you did a 180 with the assembly). Carefully bend the back spring upward to decrease the tension. Put the assembly back in its original position and tighten.
Fix: Too much voltage
If you need to run the machine at max voltage or near max, there is something wrong with the way you tuned. You’re going to need to adjust the tensions on the springs or gap of the front spring to the contact screw to lower the amount of voltage necessary to get it to run right.
10. My Tattoo Machine runs good and then Loses Power
Troubleshoot: This is a doozy as there are many possibilities. Common ones include: bad capacitor, bad clip cord or foot pedal and oxidizing contact points.
Fix: Bad capacitor
Only way you are going to figure this one out is if you have another capacitor or entire coil setup to troubleshoot against the suspect one. You can buy capacitors at Radioshack for cheap.
Fix: Bad clip cord or foot pedal
Clip cords and foot pedals will wear down over time, especially if you yank on the wire here and there. You can troubleshoot them if you have another clip cord or foot pedal to test with. Sanding down the connecting prongs of the clip cord may help as oxidization can build up at those points causing a progressively poor connection. Among the products we sell the most to shops, other than needles and ink, is foot pedals and clip cords because they do wear down but at least they are cheap to buy!
Fix: Oxidizing contact points
You should always maintain a clean contact point for your contact screw, front spring, clip cord and to a lesser extent, the connectors to the top binding post and back binding post. Some steel wool will do the trick, just give the points a good buffing every couple of weeks to ensure oxidization does not build up to bog down your machine.
My hole is too small to insert in the gun in
Hello Stephany, which hole are you referring to that you are trying to stick?
How to reduce the vibration?
Mosttattoo machines will have some vibration because of the nature of how the machine works. You can reduce the vibration by properly tuning the machine and using it at the lowest optimal voltage.
So i got about 15 tattoo machines in my gear. And lately ive had a issue with the machines all running odd. My machine isnt running smooth. It is movong slow even when power is up past 8 or 9v. The needle bar is like hopping. I cant get a solid line now because of it or shade. Ive change power suppies, cords, machines, power outlets even taking my stuff to another place to try there power but nothing has worked.
Machines may go out of tune if they have been run for a long time without adjustment or re-tuning. It is strange that 15 machines can all start running odd at the same time. Best I can think of in this situation is try to put less of a bend to your back springs so they require less voltage.
Did you get a new foot switch? Loss of power possibly there also
I got my kit yesterday, and tattooed for a long time. When i turned it on today for tattooing, it cuts in and out, on both my liner and my shader gun. Is it a bad clip or footpedal or something?
Hi there, sorry to hear you are having issues with the kit. May I ask if it is cutting in and out when you are moving it around (in which case, it is most likely the clip cord), or is there anything specific that triggers this?
Im having to flip start my machine to get it to rjn by flicking the armature bar…it will rjn fine for a while but stops again until i have to once again flick it. Im nog sure the problem increasing the voltage doesnt help either…and my other machines run fine when connected to my power suppy clip cord and foot pedal. Help please lol. Thank you very much!!!
This sounds like the back spring has too much tension and that is why the power is unable to pull the armature bar down or keep it running. Try to put less of a bend to your back spring and see if this fixes the problem.
The armature bar is moving back and forth, why?
the armature bar should be moving up and down, shouldn’t be moving back and forth. Perhaps the screw that holds it to the front spring is loose?
My machine works then does when start the nexts tattoo. And sometimes it does spark not much. It’s a dragon hank kit. Any tips on what to do.
Ok so i bought a new tatto machine and once i set it up and went to tune it as i push my pedal the supply makes a highpitched whine but the machine its self wont do anything could this be a bad supply or bad clip wire
Some brands of power supply units will have a hum sound to them when powered on and idling, not sure about high pitched whine though. I would suggest you troubleshoot with a different cord or foot pedal first to see if its a bad connector on them.
so I’m pretty sure it’s understandable that my tattoo machine needle makes a figure 8 when I’m supposed to be tattooing but what I can’t seem to under figure out is my needle doesn’t seem tight enough like and wobbles like super duper crazy
You may need to put more of a bend to the needle bar or use a thicker rubber band to stabilize the needle.
I don’t know why the sound and vibrations of my machine is not that noisy but it feels like it’s lacking, I haven’t tested it yet on skin but I think it’ll wont penetrate, if I adjust the contact post from the front spring it won’t vibrate anymore.
Are you running a liner or shader?
What voltage are you running the machine?
Does the needle penetrate thick-skinned fruits or practice skin?
What does it mean if the plug from my foot pedal gets so hot you can’t touch it?
Likely means the foot pedal is shorting either because the positive and negative connectors are touching or semi touching.
Why tattoo needle stops working… Some time tattoo needles runs in vain and Not injecting ink into skin .. plz tell why this happens ????
This may be related to your needle depth or the way you are working the needle into the skin or a myriad of other reasons. If you are having trouble getting ink into the skin, I suggest you undergo an apprenticeship or do a lot more practice on pigskin before you do skin work.
Having an issue where my liner will not engage when pressing foot pedal, but if I tap the armature bar with my finger while pressing foot pedal, the machine runs fine. It is not the clipchord, as my other machines run fine and engage with foot pedal initiation as is normal. I also filed the contact screw and the issue persists. Has this ever happened to you before? any thoughts about a solution? Thanks
This sounds like the back spring has too much tension and that is why the power is unable to pull the armature bar down or keep it running. Try to put less of a bend to your back spring and see if this fixes the problem.
my tattoo gun electrocutes and hurts SOOO bad! HELP! is this normal? what might be the problem and if it’s a manufacturer malfunction how can i identify it and report it?
Might be faulty wiring or exposed cross wiring, I would speak to the manufacturer about that.
Thank you for answering my question but can you possibly elaborate a little bit more. You are the only person on google with a semi solid answer. I’ve spoken to the manufacturer and they are attempting to send me another machine but I don’t know if this will actually fix the problem or if I will be forfeiting my warranty by accepting
If the wiring is exposed to the frame or touching then the electricity will short when you try to run the machine. As long as the other machine they send you doesn’t have the same problem then I don’t see why it wouldn’t fix the problem.
Smoke started coming from the power supply that my machine uses. I have been tattooing for two years, and this is the first time ever happening. I opened up my power box, but there was nothing eye catching about the stuff inside. Dont know what to do, and i dont want to start up the box until i know what to do.. any advice?
Newbies….lol…..The concept of injecting ink into skin is very simple. Like anything else that is overthought, it becomes difficult. Artwork and hand steadiness aside, if you guys can’t tune, fix, and operate your machine, you have no business tattooing someone other than yourself. Tattooing is a VERY serious business and at the forefront of it all is having probes knowledge of the tools used. I know you guys are trying to learn via this blog, but the questions being asked are so rudimentary it’s a little scary to think about someone with that little knowledge of the mechanics working on someone. My advice would be to buy some dirt cheap Chinese coil machines just to take apart and put back together. Do this over and over and over. Keep on rocking in the free world.
You are very arrogant with you’re words.
My cool gun got rubbing alcohol on it n stopped working what do I do
so i recently moved buildings, been tattooing for 14 yrs, 12 at my shop, all my machines are tuned and running perfect, until i moved buildings…..ALL of my machines seem to have a flutter to them, the armature bare doesnt seem to want to give a nice steady motion. If it was one or 2 machines, id just re-tune, but 9???
was your move close to water? 😉
hi David I’m from Chino Hills ca, my name is Carlitos Way my wife purchased me two liners so I can start tattooing so she can keep an eye on me.. the problem im having is one of the Armature bars has a washer underneath the rear back and the other doesn’t have one, problem I’m having with that one I get SoSo straight lines until i turn in it Chatters away I believe I believe she bought these two Amazon dragonhawk you can tell I’m a scratcher….
My coils have no plastic around them, would this cause any issues?
My tattoo supply box is running the 18.9and it won’t turn down it’s always at that how do I fix it
Hi my new tattoo gun isn’t being controlled by the foot pedal. It works without it and I don’t know how to make it controlled by the foot pedal
My needle won’t fit in the nipples I got I have to finesse it on and off is that bad?
The space where the needle tube goes in won’t open. Idk what the issue is anyone have a idea?
My machine will run until I put the needle in. what is going on?
My tattoo gun is still running whenever my foot isn’t on the pedal. How do I fix this
Does your power supply have an automatic run function? If it does then you need to turn that off. Or your foot pedal could be one of those press and hold for auto run and press and hold to stop auto run, tap for run types.
I have a power supply problem, I was tattooing one day & the box took a fall then it stopped working. I’ve been troubleshooting how to fix it but can’t find anything. It has a blue light but that doesn’t turn on
I am sorry to say that if the power supply was dropped and no longer working, there is something inside that must have gotten disconnected. You can try to take it apart and see if there are any loose wires that need to be re-soldered. However, this would be a long shot.