Homemade Tattoo Machine

Intro: Homemade Tattoo Machine

Steps to create a homemade tattoo machine out of parts found at a local hardware store and in your junk drawer. Enjoy!

STEP 1: What You'll Need

1. USB Fan (Any usb powered product will work)

2. Pen (Krink ink marker)

3. Hose Repair Clamps (2)

4. Spoon or "L" bracket

5. Solder & soldering iron

6. BIC pen

7. Tattoo needle

STEP 2:

Disassemble USB Fan completely.

Separate USB cable, motor and switch.

STEP 3: Grip Body

Take marker, remove back end and empty ink.

Remove cap, cut and place on rear.

Remove BIC pen tube from ink tube and cap, then cut the back end off.

Insert BIC pen tube aligned with center of empty Krink acrylic marker.

STEP 4: Spine Support

Take spoon, remove dish.

Bend handle to create an "L"

STEP 5: Fitting Components

Combine "L" spoon bracket with grip and motor using (2) hose repair clamps.

STEP 6: Wiring Components

Solder switch and USB cord to motor.

Use (1) small hose repair clamp to hold in place.

STEP 7: Needle Set Up

Bend motor drive shaft to offset axis.

Place needle over offset drive shaft and through the pen grip.

Use India ink, ball point pen ink or tattoo ink to tattoo.

For the sake of hygiene, tattoo fruit or synthetic tattoo skin.

STEP 8: (Optional / Not Recommended) Tattoo

Tattoo a frog onto a friend.

Comments

[Mikki G.W]

Tattooing with ball point ink doesn't exactly sound safe... but then again, who knows what actual tattoo ink actually contains..

[skintech]

I'm sorry, I'm a tattoo artist and tattoo ink is NOWHERE even close to pen ink. Pen ink can and most likely will, cause an infection if used, on top of that, it will probably either fall out leaving the worst work you've ever seen, or straight up disappear. I've done and seen it all over the years, hell, I've even used Bingo Parlor dabber ink once!, that could really be used for "disappearing ink" but let me clarify: Pen ink is NOT the same or similar to tattoo ink. real tattoo ink is just pigment, which is ground up minerals. and mixed with usually witch hazel or rubbing alcohol to make it into a liquid so it could be more easily worked under the skin. If it has more that those 3 ingredients I wouldn't use it, it doesn't need it. Hope this helps and Be Safe!

[brycewong]

Should've written in to use tattoo ink! Good call. That being said, tattoo ink is actually very similar in its properties to ball point pen ink. It's not recommended but works!

[skintech]

Man, that is a great fast low parts, home made tattoo machine ,But your going to get into trouble after the ASPCA finds out you tattoo'd on a gorilla! Also, I used to take a pro grip,tube and tip, and mount it on my home made, that way I could use pro needles and not have to sweat people tripping out on the Bic pen ink thing. I would use a shirt button for the rotary cam(where the needle goes to the motor and pushes the needle up and down) I would just snip off any extra tattoo needle bar ( if too long)and bend it to size in the shape of an "L" and BAM! Tattoo Time! Anybody can do it, just come across a stainless steal Professional Tattoo tube,tip and grip along with a pro needle. You can even sterilize them so no cross contamination! That in it self is worth it! Just about any tattoo artist will sell you one of his used grips for cheap, if you don't know where to get them, just don't forget to have him throw in a few needles that go with the grip tube and tip. This will upgrade your setup 100 fold. I hope this helps. Keep the machines going and the ink flowing!
Later, Be Safe!

[Aerycks]

This reminds me of the machines we used to make on the ship back in my Navy days. Very similar. Nice job.

[CrazyClever]

What a great tattoo from a homemade machine.

Very Clever, thanks for sharing!

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

Welcome to Instructables. Thanks for sharing with the community. I honestly don't think that I have ever seen a DIY tattoo tutorial on the site before.