Rotary Tattoo Machine Guide for Beginner Tattoo Artists

A rotary tattoo machine works by using the rotational motion of an electric motor to quickly move a needle up and down. A rotary tattoo machine moves the tattoo needle through a direct drive motor. Rotaries are much easier to set up because the cam wheel on the motor is directly powered and does not require all the tuning of a coil machine.

Types of rotary machines

Standard Rotary Machines

Basic rotary motor with a cam wheel or armature-driven needle movement.

E.g., Bishop Rotary Tattoo Machine

Pen-Style Rotary Machines

Slim, lightweight design resembling a marker pen. Often uses cartridges.

E.g. Cheyenne HAWK

Wireless Rotary Machines

Battery-powered (no cords), often brushless, direct drive.

E.g., INKin Rampage, Fk Iron Flux Wireless Tattoo Machine

Adjustable Rotary Machines

E.g., EZ P3 PRO

(Picture is from INKin Tattoo Supply)

The components of a rotary tattoo machine

The core components of a rotary tattoo machine include a motor, a cam wheel, a needle bar, and a grip. 

The motor is the core of the machine (brushless motors are quieter and last longer), which provides the initial power. 

The cam wheel, also called eccentric cam, is a critical component in rotary machines, converting the motor's rotational motion into linear up-and-down needle movement. 

(Picture is from Nick Poole, Sparkfun.com)

The grip is used to hold the tattoo needle/cartridge (many are cartridge-compatible). In some rotary tattoo machines, the tube and grip are an integrated component. At the beginning, they were two separate parts and made of stainless steel, which made the rotary machine weigh a lot. And with the development, manufacturers designed a kind of plastic holder, which is much cheaper than the stainless steel grip. There are reusable and disposable plastic holders for tattooers to choose from.

Needle bar is a straight metal rod, usually stainless steel, connecting to the cam wheel of a rotary tattoo machine or a coil tattoo machine's armature. Needle bars used in rotary tattoo machines are usually shorter and integrated into disposable cartridges, which can also be called plunger bars.

Set up a rotary tattoo machine in 3 steps.

After introducing the basic concept of the rotary tattoo machine. Let's now talk about how to set up a rotary tattoo machine. Yes, it needs to be assembled manually. Hence, it is necessary for rotary preferers.

Step 1: Attach the Needle Cartridge

For Cartridge Systems

Start by inserting the cartridge into the rotary machine's grip until it clicks. 

Place the needle bar in the cam wheel and secure it with a rubber band/o-ring if needed.

Check the needle depth. The standard needle depth usually ranges from 1.5mm to 2.5mm, varying by technique. Testing it on fake skin to ensure smooth ink flow. If it is too deep, the ink would blow out; on the other hand, setting the needle depth too shallow may result in patchy ink.

Needle depth in tattooing is directly influenced by stroke length (also called 'throw' or 'travel')—but they're not the same thing. Usually, when people talk about the stroke of a tattoo machine, they refer to the distance the needle bar moves from its most upright position to its most downward position. The further the bearing is away from the centre of the cam wheel, the longer the stroke is. The stroke length does not equal the actual depth of penetration into the skin, but the strength of the penetration. 

(Picture is from Tattooing101)

For Traditional Needle Bars and Tubes.

Insert the needle bar into the machine's armature slot, tightening the needle screw to hold the bar firmly, sliding a sterile tube over the needle group, and securing the tube to the grip with a tube vice or rubber band.

For more information, better to wrap the grip with a tattoo grip tape or use a foam grip cover to reduce vibration, enhance friction, and make it more comfortable.

Step 2: Connect to Power Supply

Connect the rotary tattoo machine to a power supply, and adjust the voltage according to your tattooing needs. What volts do lines or shadows? To be honest, this is a personal preference, really. Normally, 7-10 V for most rotary machines is for lining and 6-8 V for shading.

Step 3: Test the Machine and Sterilize

Run it on a piece of practice skin to check the needle movement, ink flow, and unusual noise. If it grinds, the rotary machine may be misaligned.

How A Rotary Tattoo Machine Works

Rotary machines rely on a spinning motor to drive needles in a smooth and consistent motion. The following is a step-by-step explanation of the mechanism:

1. Electric motor activation

When powered, the motor's rotor spins at high RPMs.

2. Motion conversion

The rotation of the motor is transferred to the cam wheel or eccentric drive system, converting circular motion into linear up-and-down movement of the needle.

3. Ink Delivery

Capillary action in cartridges pulls ink to the needle tip. The smooth and consistent needle movement also minimizes the skin trauma.

The Features of a Rotary Tattoo Machine

Compared with the coil tattoo machine, the rotary machines of all types produce less noise and vibration during operation. It is lighter and cartridge compatibility. Rotary tattoo machines perform smoothly and consistently, requiring low maintenance.

Clients sometimes feel more comfortable being tattooed using a rotary machine due to how quiet the machines are.

(Picture is from Nick Poole, Sparkfun.com)

Conclusion

Before working, one needs to know their tools. The old-fashioned rotary tattoo machine has evolved into many wireless tattoo machines in modern times. It is the choice of many tattooers. Tattoo pens are also preferred by beginners and apprentices, given their advantages of ease of use, affordability, lightweight design, convenience, lower vibration, etc. 

Tattooing is not only about techniques, but also about creation. Choosing the right tattoo machine is the very beginning of one's tattoo journey. To go far, a tattoo artist needs to learn a lot, see a lot, and maybe even join many conventions to get the latest news on the technology of tattoo equipment. Hoping everyone committed to this industry could score great achievements and gain a sense of self-fulfilment.