Tattoo Machines

Question 1

Tattoo machines should be considered as a unit with how many circuits

Answer 1

Three

Question 2

The frame is the circuit whose job it is to

Answer 2

hold the other circuits in place

Question 3

Tattoo frames should be made of

Answer 3

1018 C steel

Question 4

Frame holes should be threaded

Answer 4

8/32

Question 5

The frame acts as a ______ for the coil circuit

Answer 5

ground

Question 6

Coils are the most important part of the machine; they are the

Answer 6

heart and brains all in one

Question 7

standard coil cores are ____ inches tall

Answer 7

1.25

Question 8

standard coil cores vary in diameter, but the most common diameters are

Answer 8

5/16 or 3/8

Question 9

Coils with too much core showing tend to

Answer 9

run hot

Question 10

The top of the coil core should be sanded very smooth, even small grooves left over from the cutting process can cause the Armature bar to

Answer 10

rattle and deflect

Question 11

Coil cores should be drilled ___ inch or less, so they are solid and do not require additional steel wool, this helps dampen vibration and noise at the coils.

Answer 11

1/2

Question 12

Coil cores are wrapped with _____ and then capped with coil caps.

Answer 12

copper wire

Question 13

Coil caps vary from

Answer 13

plastic, phenolic, fiber, wood, metal or old coins

Question 14

The typical outer diameter of the common coil cap Is ____ inches wide with varied inner diameters according to the core diameter.

Answer 14

3/4

Question 15

One of the myths surrounding machines is why they get hot, plain and simple its the

Answer 15

Coils

Question 16

If you have a noisy machine and can’t find an obvious reason, check the

Answer 16

Coils

Question 17

Armature bars should be

Answer 17

plain steel, no chrome

Question 18

Armature bars should be made of ________ because it does not dent inward as easily and lasts indefinitely.

Answer 18

1018 C steel

Question 19

The Armature bar should be ___ inches long plus the nipple or one and 5/8 inches long and half an inch wide.

Answer 19

1.5

Question 20

A long Armature bar extending past the rear coil is fine, it creates a longer stroke, a longer Armature bar has

Answer 20

more leverage

Question 21

______ is a key factor to Armature bar choice.

Answer 21

Leverage

Question 22

_______ can cause your machine to rattle and deflect.

Answer 22

dust, lent, debris etc.

Question 23

When the Armature bar is flat on the front coil, there is a gap between ________ between the rear coil core top and the bottom of the back of the Armature bar.

Answer 23

.010 / .012

Question 24

If the Armature bar hits at an angle it will ricochet off the coil top which equals a

Answer 24

rickety or raspy running machine

Question 25

If the Armature bar is not hitting flat on the front coil core the possible causes are

Answer 25

bent saddle, a poorly cut coil top, a twisted spring, a bent side arm, or an angle on the Armature bar bottom.

Question 26

as far as needle bar dampeners go, ______ rubber grommets are best.

Answer 26

top hat style

Question 27

_________ used to isolate the tattoo frame from the electrical current coming from the coils.

Answer 27

black plastic insulating washers

Question 28

on the state test the only time "top hat style" is the correct answer is in reference to the

Answer 28

rubber needle bar dampener

Question 29

You don't want a high angle on your front spring because this will _______ your stroke and reduce your ability to lengthen the stroke.

Answer 29

shorten

Question 30

A ______ front spring angle widens the power band or amount of voltage you can apply to your machine.

Answer 30

lower

Question 31

A ____ angle will allow you to use the same machine on very low to medium to high volts thus allowing you access to a broader range of needle sizes and techniques. A _____ angle on the front spring makes for a slower and softer hitting machine. Rear spring tension does not affect this.

Answer 31

low

Question 32

a _______ spring angle will cause your machine to be spongy and weak.

Answer 32

very low

Question 33

Remember no matter the spring length the contact screw should hit at the very ____ of the spring.

Answer 33

end

Question 34

A ______ angle on the front spring makes for short stroke.

Answer 34

really high

Question 35

The front spring should be lined up exactly at the ____ of the Armature bar.

Answer 35

rear

Question 36

The edges of the springs should be sanded smooth, jagged edges cause

Answer 36

vibration

Question 37

Spring stock should be ___ inch wide

Answer 37

1/2

Question 38

Spring stock should have a Rockwell hardness between

Answer 38

48 and 51

Question 39

As for spring thickness, _____ thickness material is standard for the front spring and _____ thickness material is the standard thickness for the back spring.

Answer 39

.020 / .018

Question 40

Springs should be _____ instead of bent so there are no creases, bends or breaks.

Answer 40

rolled

Question 41

a binding post has a few purposes, ________ from the soldering lugs to the contact screw, holding and placement of the contact screw(front binding post) and positive contact for the power(rear binding post).

Answer 41

electrical contact

Question 42

The rear binding post is the ______ point of electrical contact.

Answer 42

First

Question 43

Thicker binding posts are recommended and should be at least _____ in diameter

Answer 43

5/16

Question 44

Thicker binding posts are recommended and should be made of ________. Thin, cheap binding posts result in a loud rattling machine.

Answer 44

brass or bronze

Question 45

Binding posts should be at an exact ____ angle to the frame.

Answer 45

90°

Question 46

Brass is a mixture of _______ and is also 100% conductive. Brass keeps its shape longer than other choices.

Answer 46

copper and zinc

Question 47

A ________ contact screw is best.

Answer 47

one-piece

Question 48

No matter what contact screw you have on your machine the bottom of the screw that comes into contact with the spring should be ______ with no sharp edges.

Answer 48

smooth

Question 49

Contact screws cut at an _____ are no good, the _____ gets worn down or damages the spring or both.

Answer 49

angle

Question 50

The contact screw should hit at the very ___ of the front spring.

Answer 50

end

Question 51

Clean your contact area once a day and use a small amount of _____ to clean the screws and spring.

Answer 51

alcohol

Question 52

Screw weight is important, _____ are heavier than cheap zinc or low-quality screws and help dampen vibration. Never use brass screws or other non-ferrous screws especially for coit screws, they will make your machine run hot.

Answer 52

steel screws

Question 53

_____ screws should be used for the Armature bar and springs.

Answer 53

Cap head

Question 54

Coil screws should be _____ so the bottom of the machine is smooth.

Answer 54

beveled

Question 55

_____ should be good quality and should be just as wide as the part they are covering.

Answer 55

Washers

Question 56

The plastic washers that isolate the tattoo machine frame from the electricity generated by the coils are known as _____.

Answer 56

shoulder washers

Question 57

Soldering lugs are silver coated _____ and are soldered at the ends of the coil wires and capacitor wires.

Answer 57

copper

Question 58

Soldering lugs typically have a ___ inch outside diameter.

Answer 58

5/16

Question 59

The capacitor is like a mini storage unit for electricity and serves two purposes, ________ and regulating the speed at which the machine runs.

Answer 59

spark dampening

Question 60

Capacitors are rated in

Answer 60

microfarads or MFD

Question 61

Lining machines typically have a capacitor with ___ MFD.

Answer 61

22

Question 62

shading machines typically have a capacitor with ___ MFD.

Answer 62

47

Question 63

Tube vises may also be called

Answer 63

tube crushers

Question 64

Coil cores are always made out of

Answer 64

Iron