So I have a brand new gen 8 cutback that is doing erratic things and I beleive I have narrowed it down the the needle bar tensioner. The machine ran great for about 5 hours of tattooing when I first got it but then started to erratically slow and speed up and spit a little. I replaced the o rings on the tension wheel and it still seems to do random things. I tried using rubber bands on it and it runs much faster, smoother and quieter this way but the consistency of the hit still seems to vary a little bit. I am using folded paper towel grommits, brand new rca cord and trouble shot with 3 different power supplies. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
I should also note that this machine is a replacement of one that was doing all of the above but even worse... and when I returned that one to swash they said nothing was wrong with it but sent me a new one after some protest on my behalf. Im shaking my head here thinking maybe this is just how they run?