Basic operation

Always spend some time with this machine and get a good feel for it before you start to try and tattoo with it. It is a completely different animal and a complex tool.

Set your needle depth

It is important to set the cartridge much like a coil machine. Tighten the click grip until the needle is almost passing if not just passed the tip. If there is any rattling it’s generally because the needle bar is not set tight enough against the cartridge. This can be cartridge specific because some carts have more attention than others. Some may need to be tighter than others. Some might even hang out of the tube a little bit. This is fine for coil technique but generally gives rotary users a hard time because they are used to riding the tube.

Once you are up and running spend some time really getting to know the system before you tattoo. A great start is 93hz with the hammerhead wave. This is my go to for most applications. This setting is amazing for lines, color packing and gray wash. When switching between say a 14rl and a 3rl all I do is turn down the volume and save the preset. Then just switch settings when I switch carts.

With whip shading and stippling I slow it down to low to mid 80s and crank up the volume. Although it will run with usable hit down to 1 hz I can't personally move slower then 80ish for my whips.

With older skin and delicate areas is where the other waves come in handy for me. I slow it down to low 80s with the jaws or sharktooth wave and turn down the volume. The system really shines here. I have been able to tattoo even the oldest most delicate skin with no issues. Skin that I have never previously be able to work easily with any machines I have owned.

Low frequency operation.

When running less than 80 Hz the machine will start to get pretty hot. If doing this for extended amounts of time it’s necessary to use the adjuster to push the magnets closer. This will increase the stroke and reduce the power consumption. It’s still a good idea to use a foot pedal when running under 80hz.

Adjustment Procedure

To use the adjuster first he must loosen the lock nut at its base. With the machine loaded and set at your desired setting move the adjuster in and out until you find it sweet spot. This is between five and 7 mm from the top of the coil core to the bottom of the magnet. For low frequency operation this is between 4 and 5 mm. A factory set machine will have 4 mm of stroke at the power band and around as low as 2 throughout the rest of the band. When you tighten the lock nut it can sometimes push the adjuster to the when you tighten the lock nut it can sometimes push the adjuster to the side seizing the bar. And maybe necessary to try a couple times until it finds its seat.