Weight vs. quality

[The Limey]

Nice post Michael, I spent a fair part of my life doing coastal erosion analysis (boring applied physics really) so every now and then I get a bit sidetracked and have to try and break stuff down into numbers and weight is one of those things that's an odd one to factor in... OK back to reality for me

[slicksteel]

I do think sometimes i over analysis things a bit and just as they say should "Let it flow baby" I also have face the reality that the customer don't give squat about how I tattoo as long as it looks great ,heals right and dont hurt much.

[Jack Steel]

I would like to give this thread a bump, I am very interested in this very topic. IMO, for detailed work the lighter the better, for running big mags a little weight might be in order to steady the work. I think lighter machines give a much more detailed interaction with the skin and force your hand to control the penetration rather than just using the weight of the machine. I am suprised that light machines are appreciated by a minority of the artists I interact with. I can build some very light machines that perform as good as anything but the medium/heavy machines will sell out every time. I am wide open to any input regarding this topic. To get to the point of this thread, high quality machines can be very light, they just have a higher material cost to build.

i totaly aggree on this with brian

i can say to that, that high-end machining simply just cost's more then cutting , brazing sanding and painting something
that goes for everything and not just tattoomachines

for instance the strength differance between 7075 t6 material and Steel is allmost none
yet it ways less then a third it's weight ...
brass looks cool polished , yet it weighs more then steel


my creation weighs a little over 74grams
all parts are made from aircraft grade materials and are build to last
however you like it , there's also an even lighter version that weighs 64.6grams
this is made from Delrin plastic material
soon mister Richie and jimmie wil get one to try out , and give their thaughts on
so that being said

[hendricksonart.com]

I use mostly coils and I actually dislike machines that are to light. Especially for lining I need a little bit of weight to stabilize my hand and keep certain motions going the heavier weight helps keep things more consistent. I have an Aaron Cain liner that is 6 and something ounces just a we bit light for my taste. Mid sevens are perfect. As far as a shader goes Light weight is awesome but anything lighter then 4 ounces seems pointless, I cant imagine my hand ever getting tired with something that light. I wish I could find a decent light coil shader but havnt found any luck. Still kinda want to try the fk alluminum ones.

[johndameart]

have you tried fk irons shaders/color packers? These are my favorites for shaders in a coil.

http://www.fkirons.com/shop/al13-gal...xie-ii-heaven/

[johndameart]

and 4.5 ounces, love it.

[Eturnus]

Its more of a balance thing for me. I like a light machine so i can slap a ss grip on a disposable tube. This throws the weight right where your hand is. Seems like the vibration is absorbed by the plastic tube?? Btw the rapiers are great thats all i really use aside from the some halo I occasionally set up.

[johndameart]

yeah i did the disposable tube with ss grip for a while, a buddy of mine in my home town in austin was using them and turned me on to them, but then i just went all disposable, with the fk irons coils, can't beat a 1.25 disposable with those. perfect balance, imo. same for the halo.

[(Opted Out)]

The swashdrive whip and hyper v2 are both perfect weight! Neotat even at 4oz, seems heavy when used with disposables... Imo

[johndameart]

neo tat vivace did seem a bit back heavy with diposables. i agree