Machine Mishap

[Diphryntkat420]

I recently bought a new machine from this site.. the Iron StrongMan.. it has been working great.. as a shader and a liner. I was using it the other day as a liner.. running it at 12 volts.. doing this celtic armbands outline. About 2/3rds the way through the outline.. the armature bar falls off to the side!! :shock: :x :evil: The bottom back spring has just BROKEN. not where it connected to anything, not that it came loose or anything, it SNAPPED.. what the hell :?: Was it just too much power?? maybe a weak spring?? Im at a loss..

[Papa Gee]

Unimax makes great tattoo machines. Their springs leave a little bit to be desired though.

[hydrophidian]

I never set my power supply to above 9v, personally. Just like in other posts though, always keep extra supplies, especially when working with new machines of a different type than you're used to. Weird shit happens.
RIco

[thew750]

I've never used that machine but, always keep a back-up. Sounds like it needs springs and a good tuning. That machine should run great around 7.4 for lining and 5.9 for shading. Good luck. BTW the voltages are what a friend here in the shop says he used with his machine.

[Diphryntkat420]

right on.. I'll try running it at that voltage and see what I get.. Yah.. I had a backup (thank god!).. just changed out that bottom spring and it was right again.. was just a lil freaky the way it happened. Live and learn *nods*

[urmindsi]

when ever i buy a machine i always buy extras to go with the machine, springs and whatnot, just incase, usually of that machines make, just 4 these kind of scenerios, they dont cost much.

[Deakon]

Excessive heat and/or electrical current will cause carbides to crystalize. Springs being made of high carbon and the fact that they are so thin, make them susceptible. Consider... You're running high voltage which makes the machine run faster but the adverse effects are higher temperatures on because of electrical resistance, higher temperatures on the a-bar (because of the striking process) which is transferred via inductance to your rear spring which is also creating it's own heat due to it's "flexing" motion... Now adding an electrical current to the spring just excites the process even more.

Running the voltage too high causes structural damage to all parts of a tattoo machine but the springs are most susceptible because they're so thin. Your coils would be the next to go.

6 to 8 volts should be your operating limits.<- <- <- <-

[DRJAEDOG]

YO Deakon, WAY TO EXPLAIN IT, GOOD STUFF, LISTEN TO THIS GUY HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.

[Diphryntkat420]

well, I've done some tuning to the machine.. and I've been getting really decent results by runnin it around 7.5 volts. Now, I'm encountering another problem.. it seems when I start, it's raring to go..I have no problems.. as I get into the tattoo.. maybe an hour or so.. it seems to lose power... sometimes I'll re-adjust the rubber bands and it'll kick back some power.. but this last time.. nothing was kicking the power back.. it seemed like the machine was "tired" or something. Any common explanations for this? The coils can't be wearing already? The contact point was filed and dusted.. I went thru the checklist..lol.. any help?

[urmindsi]

Hit the contact screw with some emory cloth, or file it, remove and carbon build-up(which would be black) on any part of your front spring or contact screw/point, if you want to get deep into it take off the whole spring assembly (just undo the back screw by the fulcrum) and clean where the coils are leaving any carbon,....... or........ It may be your contact screw locking screw, my Iron strongman has a plastic one, if its loose this will cause u to have a machine that runs erractically, but that would be the first thing u check anyway, well hope this helps
Also if you get any ink build up in your tube tip, and it dries, it will also prevent your machine from running at full capacity.

[BigDaddyInks]

I had the same problem ...the 2nd one (tired machine). It was the locking screw, plastic It sucks. But a little adjustment when it slows and lock it back in place and off it buzzes again. just something Ive learned to deal with. :twisted:

[grinder dave]

well, I've done some tuning to the machine.. and I've been getting really decent results by runnin it around 7.5 volts. Now, I'm encountering another problem.. it seems when I start, it's raring to go..I have no problems.. as I get into the tattoo.. maybe an hour or so.. it seems to lose power... sometimes I'll re-adjust the rubber bands and it'll kick back some power.. but this last time.. nothing was kicking the power back.. it seemed like the machine was "tired" or something. Any common explanations for this? The coils can't be wearing already? The contact point was filed and dusted.. I went thru the checklist..lol.. any help?

you didnt say what the machine material was...whack it on the bottom of the coil deck with a screwdriver handle