what power supply can i use for my tattoo machine?

Question

i just bought a brand new professinal tattoo machine from ebay today and i don't have enough money to buy the power suppy, so can i use a phone charger and split the wires in to two?

any other suggestions?

the volts need to be 12 and has to be dc

Answer 1

Before you do anything stupid check the following:

Do you need AC or DC input?
How many Volts?
How many Amps?

The power supply you can use needs to provide the same type (AC or DC), the same Volts, and at least as many Amps (or mAmps).

Radio Shack sells many universal DC power supplies

Answer 2

If you want a really good machine, and you've got three hundred to sink into it, the Martini 'headbutt' is a great choice. The large liner is what you want to go with. They're handmade in Italy by Jim Martini, and his crew, iron frames, silver contact screw, 8-wrap solid copper wire coils, and they run like new money. Warrantied for life, they are the best around for your cash. They weigh in at only 6 1/2 ounces. If you need to use it as a shader, you can tune it for that, too. The $500 machines you see on the Martini site are just fancied up headbutts. Get an inexpensive power source from Cam Supply or wherever, they all do the same thing. Type in 'Martini tattoo machines' on your search bar. And, if you need another application, just go with another spring, change it out for a greywash shader, ect. I'm assuming you're an artist, and know about the buisiness and that your friend will help you. You can use a pressure cooker with distilled water for your tips and tubes, etc. , they sell steel baskets, that fit inside. Take care. P.S. The reason I give honest answers to these type of questions, is that there is a lot of pregidious and jelousy in the buisness. In the early days of tattooing in America, rival shops got burned down; hands got broken with hammers. And the badmouthing of artists by other artists is all still done wearing a halo of self-rightous indignation, while seated on a throne of contempt. A straight answer never hurt anyone. This is a Q&A forum. I sure wish someone had helped me, with the simple questions, when starting out. And that's the name of that tune...