PoLL??? Ride the tube or the needle tip.

[txtatz]

Ok another one for everyone. Who ride the tip when lining and who hangs the needle out a litlle more and rides the tip of the needle?

[Anonymous]

i have never put the tube to the skin , I always let it hang out enough for me too see the needle going in ...

[txtatz]

Just now say the other thread on this, I float em to.

[vernon]

Sorry, I would have to say I ride the tube. I leave the needle hanging out about a millimeter or so. If you keep the outline on the skin center with the tip of the tube the lines will come together and match up. For such as flames.

This is just the way I do it.


Later............

[Anonymous]

when doing real long lines or loose skin I ride the tube I get better results when doing detail work or little stuff then I work off the tip of the needle.

[BABE HOUND 012]

it was me who posted that ^^^^ before I register.

[Anonymous]

I work the same as sitting bull

[olboys]

i agree with bull

[DamienWolfe]

Newbie to the art here, could someone explain the terms "riding the tube" and "riding the tip"?
I am trying to get a feel for needle depth, and I am only doing lining, black shading at the moment. Basically all black tattoos.

[Papa Gee]

I ride the tip of the needle also. I can see the ink going into the skin. Riding the tube seems to smear ink everywhere. Even with a coat of vaseline over it.

[KnightRum]

i also ride the needle, i agree, riding the tube smears ink, and it is very hard to match up lines while riding the tube. I like to ride the needle because you can see the needle hit the skin and can actually see the ink going into the skin, and it leaves far less excess ink on the skin.

[Madd Chef]

I too ride the needle, that way you can definatly see your lines better. Also besides smearing when riding the tube I was told you could give the customer extra unwanted displeasure, the tube heats up after awhile and burns abit, or if your neeedles are out too far you can snag easyer.(just what I was tought though it my work for some I just haven't bothered)

[sundance4725]

i ride the needle

[DOPPLENHAKEN]

isn't "rideing the tube "also known as "the point & pray" :lol: i was taught to use the needle it don't smear and better control,you can see what your doing and you can match up lines.i also used to drag the tube and it would make a mess & hurt the customer alot more. since i used the tip tatts come out a hell of alot better,ujust got to now depth perception.and how much to stick out. :shock: i luv that face looks like he's tweakin :shock: :shock:

[MedusaQueen]

Riding the tube is an excellent way for beginners to learn to pull straight lines. Say you have a side of a cross, very straight and long. I would set my needle so that when the machine is running it's only coming out as far as it needs to to get the ink in. Then plant the needle all the way in (starting from the top so you can pull the long line in one movement from top to bottom) then drag the line down. Don't push, if the tube is on the skin it needs no more pressure, and it will hurt the customer more if you do, and risk more catching. Just let the tube sit, and pull the line all the way down. You will notice that you don't have to control the needle depth yourself; you know you can't go too deep 'cause the needle ain't coming out any further, it's just a quick and painless way to pull a long, straight, flawless line. If you use this technique as practice in controling needle depth (by keeping the tube nice and steady against the skin, not letting it bounce or sink in etc, and making sure the tube is always stright up and down) you will have greater control over the machine and where the needle is going, but you will find it's an extremely difficult technique when doing small detail, and it is not recommended. Riding the tube should strictly be used for a beginning technique to start learning needle depth and control, (I would strongly advise against jumping right to floating a needle if you're just starting out) and when you have the hang of flawless lines in single movements you will then be ready to progress to seeing your needle. Beginners should use caution when starting to float the needle, becuase the tube is no longer playing safety net, you can accidently go way too deep and cause blow outs. Set your needle out a little further (it may even be seen sticking out when the machine is not running) so that when you go to pull your line the needle is not hidden by tube. You will be able to see clearly where the needle is, but beware; you must have excellent hand control or that needle will be up, down, and all around in that skin. A steady, firm grip and very close eye on the tip of that needle at all times is a must. You should learn to be able to see how far in the needle is going, and make sure it stays that same depth at all times. It's very tricky, but floating the needle is a must to learn, because not every tattoo will you be able to get away with riding.


Condensed version: If you are JUST starting out, RIDE THE TUBE until you have utmost control of it, then you MUST learn to float the needle.
Personally, I float my needle on ALL tattoos, but even to this day if there is a long, straight line I must do, I take a few seconds to drop my tube and ride that line, then reset my needle again to complete the peice. To me it's a shortcut that requires little brainwork, but only for long, straight lines.

[cryptkeeper]

is the needle suppose to go back in the tube when ''floating''cause mine doesn't.and do you adjust the back post to make it go back in?

[MedusaQueen]

My needle is typically set about a dime's width out of the tube when I float, so it's not going inside the tube. The only time my needle goes back inside the tube is when I have the tube set slightly lower to ride it.

[Papa Gee]

In the past I've always rode the needle. But now I'm using a really really fast cutback liner with a stroke so short that I'm more or less forced to ride the tube. I'm getting great lines with it (the fast machine has caused me to speed up my hand and I get a much improved flow) but the drawback is that the tube tends to empty its contents onto the skin. Makes for a bit of a mess while outlining.

Also I'm a southpaw so I have to start my outline in the upper left corner and work down and to the right to avoid dragging my hand through my stencil. So these days I'm running the outline pretty fast. Then washing the whole area and going back to build any lines that need to have a bolder look.

[Preacher]

Hello,
I have done both and i have noticed that i get better lines riding the needle. When i ride the tube it seems to drain all the ink out of the tube. But i think that is is whatever you get the best line for you. :D

[MedusaQueen]

Hey, Papa, I'm a lefty too, try tatting from the bottom left; I really don't ever have stencil issues, even with large peices.

[Papa Gee]

I did try it. I'm a lefty with a curl. You know how some left handed people curl their hand around their paper? Thats me.

[MedusaQueen]

LOL I didn't think about that...maybe starting from the top would be the best idea for that case...I'm just a typical lefty.

[framey]

:evil:

[Tat2Rtist]

I'm also a Lefty

[Rogue]

Im a lefty also, and I start my lining from the bottom left and work up, good results. also ive done both riding the tube and floating the needle and I find i get a better more consistent line if I float & ride the needle, but its harder for beginners (in my opinioin) when it comes to line depth and nice smooth consistent lines, but for me its what i like to do.

[voodoo]

u all commies? :lol: u all need a leftys only section ? :wink:

[deebo]

lmao!!!! :lol:

[MedusaQueen]

Rofl :lol: I guess so, and here I thought I was special....I find a lot of lefties are artistic, though. And creative...and smart....and good looking... :wink:

[Papa Gee]

I represent that statement!

[voodoo]

me too,but im right handed! :wink:

[inked]

i agree with Medusa , but i don't ride the needle all the time though,it really calls on what the design asks for .until you understand what your tattoo machine and what geometry its set up for ,stick with riding the tube. you'll be sticking with flash pieces starting out anyway ,where the lines are really consistant.

[el tatuaje]

i started out riding the tube but once i switched to riding the needle
everything line wise went so much smoother, i could see where my needle
was at all times and able to have more control in my outline.
el

[Capt. Calzone]

defnitely float. as EL said.. better visibality and control.

[MisterGG]

I also started out with riding the tube, but lately i have been riding the needle . The Kuro Sumi colour dont mess up my stencil as much when i ride the needle!

[thew750]

Depened on the situation. I mostly float, but on occasion i ride the bitch. (loooooooooooooong lines)

[carl]

i agree with madusa,but i use both 2.on small delicate detail i float,on long ass lines i ride the tube.