I am using the rk-370 series motor and the one I use is only 3 watt at max efficiency. The motor is 24.4mm in diameter and the body is 30.8mm in length. 12 volt motor with a no load speed of 8900-9000 rpm. I test the motors in a machine that sits and runs for no less than 1000 hours.....no stop for a rest.....it just runs and runs. The Maxons I have tested that had similar specs developed bearing problems after about 300 running hours.....so the Mabuchi out did them in life.
Yes the mabuchis are made in china or similar country, but they are held to Japanese QC standards. It has been fun trying to communicate with the Japanese engineers! Yes a 5 watt motor may be unstopable, but I don't really see the need for a motor this big......it pulls more current to run.
I'm not sure what Franco is using in his bishops now, but he did use the same motor when he started doing his.
I use a spring that pushes the glide into the up posistion, but it is for more than just returning the the needle up.

I went into making the NeoTats so that they were not expensive to buy. I don't see the need to "gouge" people.....if I can make it and make some money at the same time. What can be better?
I know what it takes to get into the tattoo machine business!
I made machine parts for other companies for years until I desided to give it a go myself.....actually the main company I was doing work for went behind my back and started getting the things I came up for them made in China!

This project put me in poverty and I just about lost it all in borrowing money with credit cards and morgaging my properties just to pay the bills. I almost gave up on it......thinking I am quiting this, walking away and cutting my losses. I worked at extra jobs, I sold stuff that I had accumulated or collected for years to keep the lights on. If you think I am trying to sell you a BS sob story....it's not, it's all true. I had set what I called the "drop dead date" that I was going to pull the plug on the project. I had put together a new resume and sent it out to companies that I hope would hire me. Then someone listened......The good Lord or???.
Now a days my office wants me to raise the price of my machines and I say NO. I will keep doing what I'm doing, making good, affordable tattoo machines.
I will keep working to make better machines....where I can.

I have a wonderful wife and family that stood behind me and kept me going......or I would not be on this forum today.

Sorry for going off the subject.