SS grips on gripless tubes

[stephaniep]

Hi! I stumbled across this site just a few days ago, immersed myself in all the past posts, but I find I have a couple of lingering questions...

For those that use the Lexan gripless disposable tubes, how do you sterilize your grips? Do you use a germicidal solution? I read somewhere that Wavacide sterilizes items after 10 hours immersed in the liquid. I think this might work out well but I want a few expert opinions.

Do you autoclave them? If so, why the heck use disposable tubes if you have an autoclave?

I realize these are very green questions, I appreciate your time and feedback! I don't have any equipment or anything, but I have a couple of books on the way and hope to gain some intricate knowledge concerning this artform.

Thanks for all the info! This site is addictive!

[stephaniep]

... I just want to clarify that I'm proposing the use of Wavacide on the grips only. It's a cold sterilant, not an alternative to the autoclave. My thinking was with the grips there's no chance of injecting the solution into someone like there would be with tubes. Maybe even soak the grips in sterile water afterwards?

opinions? advice?

[hotdiggitydawg]

Wrapping it in barrier film would be an extra measure wouldn't it.

But yeh it seems pointless having the "ease of disposable with the weight of a stainless grip''... the ony up-side from that is that you're not going to get dis-colouration from stainless tips.

Dan

[stephaniep]

barrier film makes sense, thanks Dawg! I guess I'm not one to look for the obvious.

Does the film affect your grip (not the grip itself, the grip of your hand on the machine)? Do machine bags go down over the grip?

How many of you use the gripless tubes?

[hotdiggitydawg]

barrier film makes sense, thanks Dawg! I guess I'm not one to look for the obvious.

Does the film affect your grip (not the grip itself, the grip of your hand on the machine)? Do machine bags go down over the grip?

How many of you use the gripless tubes?


No i wouldn't imagine it affecting your grip.
No machine bags just cover the machine from the clamp up/back.
I've not used gripless tubes before but have used the radical clean tubes and grip, it's a disposable tube/tip with a 14mm grip and additional s/s grip sleeves that slide over the 14mm grip..... very good but the whole sterelisation thing comes into it again.

[lotsix]

from what i understand, any of the "cides" should only be considered a prep for eventual autoclaving...and for cleaning down work space (tables and such)

you should be autoclaving anything that you don't simply throw out.
if you use a disposible...get the whole disposible deal and throw it all out..it's cheap and not worth the worries.

the weight issue does suck, but i prefer a nylon grip for my shading gun anyways...that weighs nothing and i autoclave it...same thing.

try to get used to a disposible grip too...it's not worth the risk to only "cide" your tools.

[stephaniep]

cool. Thanks for the info lotsix!

Do the disposable tubes here at NJs come with 1" grips and if so, how's the weight? still real light?

[NYACK]

Don't mess with others health. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN AUTOCLAVE USE ONE PIECE DISPOSIBLES. DON'T BE STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stephaniep]

got it. Thanks Nyack!

I'm far from tattooing anything, much less skin, right now.

The concept of gripless tubes baffles me, that's all. I read through several old posts on disposable tubes and a few of them mentioned the benefits of using the gripless type, weightwise. But doesn't it clash with the purpose of using disposable equipment?

[voodoo]

They sell 1 inch dis tubes.Thats what i use and they seem to work well!

[untitled_again]

i use 1" disopsable tubes. i find that im more comfortable using a bigger tube. with my hand more relaxed and my fingers not so constricted, my hand gets less tired.

[infernotatz]

1 inchers are way more comfortable than the small grips. less hand cramps for sure.
D

[Ripshado]

Hiya Steph. Personally, I prefer to go disposable tubes with SS grips for the weight of it. A little more weight helps with hand shake and less to clean up using the disposable tubes. I soak, scrub, then autoclave my grips. Its really just personal preference more than anything else.

[Martin]

Ok, now I am no expert, but could someone please explain to me why you would NEED to sterilize a stainless grip in an autoclave?
It doesent penetrate anything, or come in contact with anyones skin. to me it would be the same as saying that you have to put your tattoo machine in an autoclave too.

Just trying to get some clarification on this.

thanks,
Martin

[Martin]

by the way, i do realize you can clave your machine. but dont know of anyone who does it after every use.

[Rockabillytattoo]

Ok, now I am no expert, but could someone please explain to me why you would NEED to sterilize a stainless grip in an autoclave?
It doesent penetrate anything, or come in contact with anyones skin. to me it would be the same as saying that you have to put your tattoo machine in an autoclave too.

Just trying to get some clarification on this.

thanks,
Martin
You would be holding the grip with the same hand that is resting on the area. Automatically your hand( glove) would be contaminated. If it's on your hand, what woulkd make you think it would not transfer to the grip sooner or later? Unless you cover your grip while doing a tattoo, I'd autoclave it. If you can't afford an autoclave (like me), then just use disposable 1" tube/grips. The weight isn't the same, but it's worth the trade off rather than spreading blood diseases or such. No offense, but it's ideas like this that all the pros call us rookies, scratchers!!! Remember, NO SHORTCUTS!!

Rock on!!

[Martin]

thanks rock

[ink_freak]

i have to agree that if u have no clave use disposables ive seen 1 1/4 disposable tubes i prefer the bigger as far as thet weight get a clave ive used stain less and prefer stainless but its just not worth it most ppl even sterile their cap holders so every thing that is in contact should be con sidered contaminated