workhorseirons/aaron cain

[conorblue]

some of my buddies use aaron cain machines and really seem to be stoked on them, however they are all one off, customs, does anyone have any experience with his workhorse production machines... ive heard mixed reviews about all the machines, and many raving ones to boot, but not much about the cain machines.

his tattoos are mindblowing, and custom machines, with the carving and material, they definitely are beautiful, but as ive heard that a.c. said himself, :its just in the tuning of a machine:...

[waverly]

Aaron does not half-step on ANYTHING with his name on it. He is an incredible craftsman who puts his all in everything he does. I have both production and one-off models from him and they are always at hand. Great stuff...

[conorblue]

awesome. thanks for the input, i figured they'd have to be tops.

[inkmunky]

yeah when they're not sold out

[lackthereof]

I have a workhorse Cain Bottleopener shader, and it is the real deal, solid performance with many different groupings and very efficient.

With the level of craftsmanship on his production models, I can only imagine what the one-off's are like.

[BRANDON BOND]

ive never heard anything bad about aaron caine machines.

[jerseyjaywymbs]

my buddy swears by them, but like it was said earlier, when they're not sold out. they are all over e-bay, but my question is why? if they run so well, why are so many people selling them? the soba machines run pretty well too. i just picked up a shader built by mike schweigert today. i can't wait to use it, it's a jack hammer indeed. so far all i tattooed today was an outline of new jersey, just my luck right?

[waverly]

They are on Ebay because they are popular and people know they will get a decent amount for them. They see the kick-ass one-offs that Aaron sells that are beyond the budget of a lot of folks and figure there is demand for the production models. A lot of people buy machines on a regular basis so it's no big deal to part with one or a few.

[waverly]

my buddy swears by them, but like it was said earlier, when they're not sold out. they are all over e-bay, but my question is why? if they run so well, why are so many people selling them? the soba machines run pretty well too. i just picked up a shader built by mike schweigert today. i can't wait to use it, it's a jack hammer indeed. so far all i tattooed today was an outline of new jersey, just my luck right?

I picked up a Mike Schweigert machine from Dan Higgs when he quit tattooing and it makes lines by itself. I don't even have to be in the room- it's that good.

[inkmunky]

even cain's production models are selling for over their retail on ebay simply b/c they're sold out... that says a lot about the demand and quality of them... his one offs are ridiculous though, i don't think i could bring myself to spend 8 bills on a machine when i can get, or build one that runs just as good for a quarter of that

my own opinion of course

[conorblue]

but...some of his machines...are made from space rocks!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!

[inkmunky]

if you REALLY want a machine made from a space rock i can make you one....

and you'll pay for it, and it'll run the same as a machine made without space rocks.... gimmicks

[conorblue]

i heard cains machines have secret alien tattooing powers in the coils. if you can make a machine like that...im sold.

[lackthereof]

The person selling the most Cain machines on Ebay is Aaron Cain. As with anything that is popular and hard to find, there is no better place than a worldwide, public auction to recieve a ridiculous price for it.
However, when you break out the space rocks or Damascus or Mokume, and combine the man's skills, you really should expect to pay for it.

[waverly]

The person selling the most Cain machines on Ebay is Aaron Cain. As with anything that is popular and hard to find, there is no better place than a worldwide, public auction to recieve a ridiculous price for it.
However, when you break out the space rocks or Damascus or Mokume, and combine the man's skills, you really should expect to pay for it.

Ridiculous or not- It lets the market set the price for original, hand-made work that continues to push the envelope when it comes to ingenuity and craftsmanship.
As well as leaving a wake of suck-ass knockoffs who prey upon the gullibility of people who want something vaguely similar without paying for (and certainly not getting), the real McCoy.
In short, he really makes some pretty cool, functional tools.
I don't usually jump into these internet frays but Aaron Cain is leaving his mark on tattooing in every way-and it's incredible to see it happen.

[lackthereof]

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitley not downing the man. I have nothing but the utmost admiration for Aaron, who I consider a true genius builder, tattooer, and internet auction tycoon.HA

I own 2 of his machines, plain ole production models, and they are a cut above. I love 'em. His one-off's to me seem as much works of art, as fine tools.

I also think SOBA and Cifferi machines are right up there with the Cain stuff. I've seen differing opinions on here, but all my Workhorse machines have been a joy to work with.

[terryhaddon]

I got 4 two dollar bills for sale on ebay for 13 bucks.......any takers? oh and a dime i sell for 39 cents. Ebay, how you destroyed my nephews Xmas......he wanted a Wii, you know the story.

[inkmunky]

i heard cains machines have secret alien tattooing powers in the coils. if you can make a machine like that...im sold.

I did not know that, i suppose now i'll need to eat his brain and possess the information he does haha

his earlier machines had much more involved in frame craftsmanship... now he's getting the bases machined, his sideplates cut, he carves em and bolts em together with standard Lucky's hardware... and he is a genius for doing so. He's an awesome builder and his one offs are more like pieces of art, hence the price i doubt you'll ever see anyone who buys one of them actually tattooing with it no matter how good it runs.

and that's why i don't see the point in spending $8-12 bills for one

[biomek tattoo]

I use an Aaron workhorse roundback shader every day. It is by far the best shader I have ever used. Reliable , consistent, and really well balanced. I would suggest them to anyone. I use a cifferi workhorse liner and love every machine I have ever used/touched from workhorse.
Nathan Bauer
Biomek Tattoo and Dance Studio

[conorblue]

jersey jay: you still using that schweigert machine? how do ya like it?

[jerseyjaywymbs]

i use it every day, it's my main color packer. mike is selling his own line of machines now as well. i think they're like $250 -$300. you can check em out on electric tattoos myspace page. i'm gonna have him re-build afew others i have for travel machines.

[FATSOS]

I have a liner and a color-packer from Mike, got 'em about a year ago and haven't used anything else since! Love those 'chines! Plus Mike is an awesome guy to deal with.

[jerseyjaywymbs]

mikes a good dude, i have a lot work from him.

[FallenKing]

I own a set of some custom damascus. They are really good. I don't use them though, too pretty.

[kentsboots]

I have a pair of the roundback machines, i like em alot, there pretty light compared to my brass time machines(which are great too)

[jerseyjaywymbs]

I own a set of some custom damascus. They are really good. I don't use them though, too pretty.

damascus is beautiful, it's like wood and metal all meshed into one.

[Stillbirth_Machine]

I have two Cain machines (Lucky Tattoo Supply) and they are awesome!

[JohnnyChaos]

My boss uses a production Acantha Jones liner tho the speed of it took him a little while to get used to.
I got the same model but a custom one, were the parts were made by Aaron but the machine was assembled and tuned by Gus. So Aaron told me. I picked it up for the bargain price of £175.
Even tho I use stigma rotaries I still use this Aaron Cain for all my
lines!

[Demonkilla66]

I recently bought an Aaron Cain "Zooliner" . Its the best machine I've ever used.

[Joe]

I've got a custom Hook from Aaron, never ran good for me. Sometimes, you're just the unlucky one that gets the sub par machine. It wouldn't stop me from ordering another from him though.

[ShadowFax]

I own 4 production model Aaron Cains from LS

Arcantha Jones Liner- Small, was reliable. After about 15 minutes of line work, it gets very hot and does not throw a full-stroke.

Bronze Arcantha Jones Shader - Beautiful packer, hits a little hard compared to my other Aaron Cain, but it works really well for Icey blues and whites, or tones you dont want to overwork but dont want to put in too hard aswell.

Zooliner Liner - Most forgiving liner ive ever had. It throws lines bold and crisp even with your hand is not doing its job.

My favorite machine, Bronze Zakonah Shader. This machine is my favorite shader, it has a very nice long stroke and throw, it hits very soft though. I run a 7curved mag at 89hz, 3.8 volts. Just enough power to push the needles through the skin.

Ive never used a Nuema, but I could say my Zekonah hits 'soft' like a nuema. I know the nuemas would smoke the zekonah in soft shading, but for a coil machine its damn nice.

I cant wait to build up some coin and buy a couple One-Of models.

[kantgetnun]

Ive owned quite a few of Arrons older production machines they were all great. now im eyeing a custom damascus or meteorite set. as soon as they come up for sale im on em!

[Stillbirth_Machine]

Arcantha Jones Liner- Small, was reliable. After about 15 minutes of line work, it gets very hot and does not throw a full-stroke.


I find I have the same issue with mine.. Actually sending it in for a re-spring and re-tune,etc.. once my Dringenberg liner arrives! I usually run it at 6.5 or 7.0 volts


My favorite machine, Bronze Zakonah Shader. This machine is my favorite shader, it has a very nice long stroke and throw, it hits very soft though. I run a 7curved mag at 89hz, 3.8 volts. Just enough power to push the needles through the skin.


I have one of these as well and it's awesome!! Mine really packs colour in and does really nice grey wash as well. I also can run it at low volts!

[tala]

I buy waaayyy too many tattoo machines. There are eight or nine Aaron Cains in my toolbox. They're all a little bit different and I use them for specific tasks. I use them rather infrequently at this time, but they're still incredibly well built machines suitable for daily driving. My faves are the Grime's I purchased back in '02.
I've got two or three of Aaron's machines from Lucky's and a pair of bottle openers from Workhorse. You can do pretty much anything you'll need to do in a tattoo shop with Aaron's machines.
Tala