New rotary pen style machine, coil for learning??

[Joni]

Hey guys,
Im new to the forum, been tattooing since about 2 months, first on fakeskin, fruit and piggy, now the occasional piece on myself, my boyfriend or my sister. I tattoo every single day and really do see my improvement, so i think its time to step up my machine.
I currently use a cheap as f*** rotary pen style machine from dragonhawk which you can feel will give in sooner or later and, after countless trials and errors, i now know is not capable of pushing any needle bigger than a 7rl. A few hardfacts:
My style is outlines and black fill only, i don't think i ever want to do color and tho i practice shading on fakeskin, i really want to focus on linework right now.
I am not opposed to going coil ASWELL, since ive been browsing the forum for weeks now and definitely understood that coils would be more suited for linework only. I just want a machine that i can plug in and just use, no fuss, hence why i want to stay in the rotary pen Departement for now. I am an idiot in all things technical, so if it comes to tuning i am lost.
My plan is to get an awesome rotary to continue tattooing for now, and get a good, already tuned coil for practicing until i decide if i want to make the switch.
My current favorites on the list are the valhalla from axys and the packer wand from bishop. I just worry that the 5mm stroke from the bishop might be too much for me as a beginner and ill ruin some skin. But i really want a pen that will get the Job done, no matter the needlesize and that will hold up for years. For coils i thought about DSM machines??
Id appreciate your insights and recommendations! And sorry for the long paragraph! Much love!

 

[Torb]

Hi.
I was a coil user but recently switched to a vlad blad avenger 2. It is an absolute beast. Does everything. Can definitely recommend ?

 

[Joni]

Hi.
I was a coil user but recently switched to a vlad blad avenger 2. It is an absolute beast. Does everything. Can definitely recommend ?

Yes, i definitely had a look at that one aswell! Thank you!

 

[Torb]

Yes, i definitely had a look at that one aswell! Thank you!

Vlad blad also make a pen machine which is supposed to be good. I can tell you that the avenger is beautifully made. I'm super impressed with it.

 

[Joni]

Vlad blad also make a pen machine which is supposed to be good. I can tell you that the avenger is beautifully made. I'm super impressed with it.

I love the penstyle machines because they are so convenient and comparably inexpensive in the sense that you literally just bag the thing, put the cartridge in and go. But i really am open to hear what everyone else here is using and loving for lining! Ill have a look at the vladblad again. Tho i really hope someone recommends the valhalla (':

 

[Torb]

I love the penstyle machines because they are so convenient and comparably inexpensive in the sense that you literally just bag the thing, put the cartridge in and go. But i really am open to hear what everyone else here is using and loving for lining! Ill have a look at the vladblad again. Tho i really hope someone recommends the valhalla (':

I've heard great things about the Valhalla too. I was looking at pens but I decided to go with the sidewinder style rotary as it preforms more like a coil. It can push any size needle groups effortlessly. Now I use it for everything. Will line as good as a coil as well as do super soft shades. Can use carts or standard needles, which was a big plus for me.

 

[Joni]

I've heard great things about the Valhalla too. I was looking at pens but I decided to go with the sidewinder style rotary as it preforms more like a coil. It can push any size needle groups effortlessly. Now I use it for everything. Will line as good as a coil as well as do super soft shades. Can use carts or standard needles, which was a big plus for me.

That does sound awesome tho. I just have zero experience with standard needles and also never held a normal rotary in my hands. I am pretty much a grandma when it comes to readjusting. I'll have a look at the prices and keep that one in mind. Thanks a lot, friend!

 

[Torb]

That does sound awesome tho. I just have zero experience with standard needles and also never held a normal rotary in my hands. I am pretty much a grandma when it comes to readjusting. I'll have a look at the prices and keep that one in mind. Thanks a lot, friend!

No problem mate.
It's definitely hard buying a new machine. So many good ones to choose from. I buy lots of second hand coils on ebay. Don't be afraid to buy used coil machines. They are pretty robust and are fun to tinker with. Good luck. ?

 

[Joni]

No problem mate.
It's definitely hard buying a new machine. So many good ones to choose from. I buy lots of second hand coils on ebay. Don't be afraid to buy used coil machines. They are pretty robust and are fun to tinker with. Good luck. ?

Thank you!!

 

[P$ Productions]

Ill recommend the Valhalla to you ? I started with coils and this is very different but also wildly convenient. I use it for everything.
On the contrary, Mark (TexasPT) said he did not like it.
A lot of people here use the cnc q2 so that may be another option for you.

 

[Joni]

Ill recommend the Valhalla to you ? I started with coils and this is very different but also wildly convenient. I use it for everything.
On the contrary, Mark (TexasPT) said he did not like it.
A lot of people here use the cnc q2 so that may be another option for you.

Thank you so much for this answer!!! The valhalla has this safety-membrane-thingy to ensure no liquids going back there, right? I'm extremely paranoid with crosscontamination so that would be a huge plus for me!!
Do you feel like the highest stroke sometimes still is too little for some work, or are the 4.2 mm completely sufficient?? The bishop seems almost brutal with the 5?mm set straight, but since i see the people using it do everything with it i wondered if that high of a stroke is just needed for really big needlegroupings?? Or can you push fat lines with the valhalla too? Thank you for the tip with the q2, ive considered that too, but wasnt sure about longetivity since ive read a few people having problems after some time. Extremely sorry for the tagging, i don't know if thats rude, but TexasPT would you mind telling me what you dont like about the valhalla? Or is there a thread where this has been discussed already? Extremely thankful for any input!
Thank you again for that answer!!

 

[P$ Productions]

Thank you so much for this answer!!! The valhalla has this safety-membrane-thingy to ensure no liquids going back there, right? I'm extremely paranoid with crosscontamination so that would be a huge plus for me!!
Do you feel like the highest stroke sometimes still is too little for some work, or are the 4.2 mm completely sufficient?? The bishop seems almost brutal with the 5?mm set straight, but since i see the people using it do everything with it i wondered if that high of a stroke is just needed for really big needlegroupings?? Or can you push fat lines with the valhalla too? Thank you for the tip with the q2, ive considered that too, but wasnt sure about longetivity since ive read a few people having problems after some time. Extremely sorry for the tagging, i don't know if thats rude, but TexasPT would you mind telling me what you dont like about the valhalla? Or is there a thread where this has been discussed already? Extremely thankful for any input!
Thank you again for that answer!!

Yes there is a safety membrane. I use only membrane-type carts in it as well.

I use the 4.2 for lining and dont have a problem. Granted, my lines arent amazing at times so I cant really comment there. I go down to the 2nd lowest setting (cant remember what it is at the moment) for shading even with a 21rm and it gets the job done.

One good thing about Axys is that whenever they do an upgrade of the machine, you get it for free. Ive only had it for about a year? So ive never experienced this but the axys guy at convention basically said that once i purchase a valhalla, axys will ensure that i always have the best version of it at no cost.

 

[KyleBl4ck]

My personal go to is the FK Irons Spektra Xion

My other recommendation is - Learn both coil and rotary and if you get a coil, you can never go wrong with Kilin or Workhorse.

 

[Joni]

Yes there is a safety membrane. I use only membrane-type carts in it as well.

I use the 4.2 for lining and dont have a problem. Granted, my lines arent amazing at times so I cant really comment there. I go down to the 2nd lowest setting (cant remember what it is at the moment) for shading even with a 21rm and it gets the job done.

One good thing about Axys is that whenever they do an upgrade of the machine, you get it for free. Ive only had it for about a year? So ive never experienced this but the axys guy at convention basically said that once i purchase a valhalla, axys will ensure that i always have the best version of it at no cost.

Thank you so much for your answer!
I'll still take some time to consider, but i think its gonna be the valhalla.

 

[Joni]

My personal go to is the FK Irons Spektra Xion

My other recommendation is - Learn both coil and rotary and if you get a coil, you can never go wrong with Kilin or Workhorse.

Ive heard amazing things about that one aswell. Thanks for the tip with the coils!

 

[Jmm857]

I've heard great things about the Valhalla too. I was looking at pens but I decided to go with the sidewinder style rotary as it preforms more like a coil. It can push any size needle groups effortlessly. Now I use it for everything. Will line as good as a coil as well as do super soft shades. Can use carts or standard needles, which was a big plus for me.

Same here! I tried every pen I could get my hands on, axys Valhalla, FK, whatever, just went back to a direct drive. I have a direct drive Mike pike and a John Clark side bobber style that is just nasty strong. But is smooth shading as a pen.

 

[Big Pete]

Inkjecta.....it's a rotary machine that uses cartridge needles, can line, shade and colour pack, can get different strength push bars for lining and shading and comes with different size cams to change the stroke length...very easy to change cams or push bars