Rotary users --

[FATSOS]

I finally decided to try one, so I got myself a Swash Gen7. I kinda like it but have a couple of questions if anyone is familiar...I'm only using it for color+shading, not lining.

1. I haven't figured out the trick to setting needle depth. Seems I need to check it while its running, make any adjustments, check while its running, make any adjustments... kind of annoying.

2. Used it on 3 tattoos with no problems, then had trouble with the needles spitting like crazy and couldn't get it to stop. I figured it must be the grommet (which seems to fit super tight) so I switched to a looser fitting nipple... still no luck. Finally just switched back to my coils to finish the tattoo. Any thoughts on this? It worked fine before this one and I always used 9mags, so the set up was exactly the same each time. :/

BY THE WAY -- I'm asking for advice here, not opinions...so all you anti-rotary nuts can go complain on your own thread! thanks!!

[DrayBono]

i'm a neuma user, but these should apply to help you as well.

yes, thats how you set needle depth, unless your armature happens to be in the lowest position. i know with neuma, the bar won't move unless the machine is running. you can hold your thumb on it to bog it down and it will get in that position. i find however setting the needle as the machine runs is more precise and accounts for any 'play' you may get from the drive train.

for the spitting issue, experiment with bending your needle bars slightly...either at the needle head end or the eye loop...or perhaps both. may take awhile to find the right set up but it should remedy the spitting

[travelingtom]

Originally Posted by DrayBono

i'm a neuma user, but these should apply to help you as well.

yes, thats how you set needle depth, unless your armature happens to be in the lowest position. i know with neuma, the bar won't move unless the machine is running. you can hold your thumb on it to bog it down and it will get in that position. i find however setting the needle as the machine runs is more precise and accounts for any 'play' you may get from the drive train.

for the spitting issue, experiment with bending your needle bars slightly...either at the needle head end or the eye loop...or perhaps both. may take awhile to find the right set up but it should remedy the spitting

thats pretty much exactly what i was going to say, but the spitting could be coming from solder build up, i have noticed needle jig is doing this every now and then. but bending the needle should help if not

[DrayBono]

right on tom!

[FATSOS]

Easy enough! Thanks guys!!

[unnerving]

What voltage are you running at? I've noticed alot of rotary newbies tend to crank the voltage because they are so quiet and different then coil machines. Does the tube just need shaved? Did you try a different tube? Are the rubber bands tight? lol