how big are normal tattoo needles?

Answer 1

http://tattoo.about.com/library/blglostatneedle.htm
Examples: Needles can be made in groups of 3, 5, 7 or more, depending on what the artist is comfortable with and what the design calls for. Occasionally, a single needle can be used for fine lining, but this is not very common. The sharps are soldered to a needle bar, and the bar is placed in the tattoo machine through a tube. Needle groups also come in different shapes such as round (for lining) and flat (for shading).

Tattoo Machine (Tattoo Gun): This is the tool that artists use to make the tattoo. The modern western tattoo machine works through two electromagnets driving a spring-loaded reciprocating needle assembly. This assembly penetrates the skin about 6000 times per minute, implanting the ink 1/16th of an inch below the surface. In some cultures (e.g., Traditional Japanese Tattooing) a tattoo machine is not used--instead, the ink is implanted underneath the skin with a series of other tools. This method is much slower and much more painful, but in some cases, it is a matter of pride and history.

Tattoo Needle: A single tattoo needle is a small, solid needle with an extremely sharp point. Single needles are usually only used for very fine work and instead when people say "tattoo needle," what they mean is a group of needles that have been welded to a small block of steel and placed inside the tattoo machine. These needles should always be sterilized with an autoclave and don't be afraid to ask whether or not this is the case!

Needlebar ...The needle bar is a stainless steel heavy gauged wire aprox. ...5 5/8"
long with one end forming a loop, and the other end being round or flat depending on
the type of needle cluster to be soldered on to it.

Needle Cluster...The needles for tattooing are not like the needles used in a hypodermic
syringe. The needles are not hollow, and are generally about an inch long and finer
than a standard straight pin. there is no cap at the end of the needle. One needle
soldered to a needle bar would be a single, three needles soldered together in a triangle
would be considered a tight or semi tight 3, the above could be used as liners. Other
needle types could be 6 needles soldered in a row, flat, this is called a flat 6,
commonly used as a shader.. There are many variations on needles including singles
tight and semitight 3,4,5's....flat 3,4,5,6,7 up to 14, magnum 5,6,7-15, floppy 8's,
round shaders, etc. Refer to making needles for more information.

Answer 2

Hypodermic Needle Tattoo

Answer 3

it depends on the type. Different types of needles are used by skilled artists for different effects. 1/16 of a mm is a popular size. This is a LOT smaller than the type of hollowneedle used to get a shot. However, these needles could be then textured, or rounded. It really depends what the tattoo is, and how skilled your artist is at the needle variations. Also, unless you are going to a scratcher who is going to do it with a safety pin and a bottle of ink it is likely they will be using special needles grouped together. Outlines get made with one type of needle group and shading can be done with several different types. Even then there are many variations including traditional artists that still make their own needles by hand to create special effects (a dying art).

Answer 4

a single needle is about the size if a very fine sewing needle. a single is used for outlineing, some artists use doubles, clusters, of 3, 4 ,6 are for filling in solid areas

Answer 5

the single needle itself is hair thin. most tattoo needles are made up of several of these micro needles. i tattoo with a 7 tite for my outline (meaning 7 needles) and a 7mag for my shading (7 needles in a paintbrush pattern)

Answer 6

yes all tattoos are done with one needle unless you get half done one day and the other half done the next or something then you get 2 needles :)

Answer 7

Fine line custom design....very small
Normal line....small and medium
Shading....a combination of small
or medium in a row.

Answer 8

they are really long and skinny and have a loop on the end of them. there can be anywhere from one to 20 in the tube at one time depending on the type of tattooing that is being done.
here's a link to see what they look like
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dtattoo%2520needle%26fr%3Dyfp-t-501%26toggle%3D1%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr2%3Dtab-web&w=554&h=915&imgurl=www.technicaltattoosupply.com%2Fimages04%2FNeedle_Price_war_3.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.technicaltattoosupply.com%2Fwarprice2.htm&size=122.7kB&name=Needle_Price_war_3.jpg&p=tattoo+needle&type=jpeg&no=10&tt=1,996&oid=3d38f189d8828e22&ei=UTF-8

Answer 9

The neeedle is about 1 or 2 inches tall

Answer 10

Very small. Very very small.