Tattoo Gear: The Path Of A Tattoo Machine builder Neuma 5 with Carson Hill EP 274

The Path Of A Tattoo Machine builder | Neuma 5 with Carson Hill | EP 274

Carson Hill is a real pioneer in tattoo machine technology. Since he has turned his attention to pen style rotary tattoo machines, we are all better because of it. In today's episode, we talk about his latest and best iteration, the Neuma 5.

Unlike many large tattoo machine manufacturers, Carson works daily with his machines and communicates regularly with the artists who use them. Because of this, he is able to really pin down improvement points and make significant changes quickly.

During our conversation, Carson and Jake talk about the issues that arose in previous versions of the machine and how he and his team went about correcting them.

Enjoy!

Also, you can get 10% off the Neuma 5 or any other machine with the code "Fireside"

Here's the link:

https://www.neumatattoo.com

This episode was made possible thanks to:

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Interview by By Jake Meeks —

Writing By Daniel Pushcarich —

Topics: Manufacturing Tattoo Machines, Distributing Tattoo Equipment, Tattoo Machines, Business Mindset, Tattoo Business, Tattoo Shops, Amazon, Neuma 4, Neuma Macro, Neuma Modus

“We’ve redesigned the machine entirely. It’ll have two versions, a wired and wireless version, but it’s really meant to be a wireless machine. So It’s designed to be as short as we can get it, with as much battery power as we can offer, and still give you a low center of gravity.”

— Carson Hill

Carson HIll (@tattooistcarsonhill) Is the creator of Neuma Tattoo Machines. He understands the importance of having proper tools for each tattoo project, and believes that he has a duty as an artist and machine designer to make the best possible tattoo machines.

His mission as an artist is to improve and gain depth of experience and knowledge so that he is always improving technically and creatively.

Carson’s ultimate mission is to make the best possible tattooing equipment solutions. With Innovation, technology, and ground-breaking design, he has accomplished just what this industry needed with the Neuma FOUR.

Carson is based in CA and owns Neuma Tattoo Machines.

Please enjoy!

INTERVIEW LINKS, MENTIONS, AND SHOW NOTES BELOW…

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Carson Hill:

IG | Neuma Tattoo Machines

SHOW NOTES

[02:41] Enter Carson, Working out the Kinks
[08:35] No Diggity, Got to Bag it Up; Tattoo Machine Sterilization
[12:10] Springs and Things, On Preferences and Problem Solving
[16:06] HIGH VOLTAGE TATTOOS!! or Maybe NOT!? Battery vs Power Supply
[24:46] Secrets Secrets; Unveiling the Neuma 5
[30:07] Shifting Gears; Neuma 5 Cam Design Upgrades
[33:16] Fuel, Fire, & That Which I Desire! Tattoo Machine Spring Fix
[36:04] Push That Thing Down, Flip It & Reverse It
[43:05] Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes; Recapping Upgrades for the Neuma 5
[46:59] Outro

MORE Carson QUOTES FROM THIS INTERVIEW

HIGH VOLTAGE TATTOOS!! or Maybe NOT!? Battery vs Power Supply

[16:06] “It seems like you’re getting better power delivery from a Musotoku, Plugged into the wall, 5 amps delivered guaranteed. I think there’s something to that. But, I also think there’s ways to achieve that in a wireless configuration.”

— Carson Hill

There isn’t really a one size fits all solution to powering a tattoo machine. On one hand there’s a need for a constant and consistent delivery of power, but on the other hand there’s a need to move freely and conveniently without having to pay attention to a cord or wire. Although another problem is getting the voltage below a certain threshold in order to achieve certain effects with the needle, such as stipple shading.

Initially, there was a preference for traditional power supplies over batteries, as these were deemed to provide superior power delivery. The conversation revolved around the advantages of wired power supply units like the Musotoku, which guaranteed consistent and high power output. However, the growing popularity of battery-powered machines demanded a reevaluation of this stance.

The transition from traditional power supplies to batteries required thorough research and collaboration with electrical engineers to ensure consistent power delivery. The focus was on identifying high-quality battery manufacturers, particularly those known for producing reliable and long-lasting batteries. The Neuma 5, a result of this meticulous battery research, aims to provide a wireless tattooing experience with power delivery on par with traditional power supplies.

Shifting Gears; Neuma 5 Cam Design Upgrades

[30:07] “We doubled the diameter of the pin. Because of that we actually get 4x the surface area for the cam to run along, creating added stability. Then we added a second pin for redundancy, so that in case of any kind of failure the machine still functions the same way.”

— Carson Hill

Previously, a small percentage of machines required repairs, and the majority of these issues were attributed to a tiny pin within the cam system. This pin was subject to pressure and, at times, experienced failures such as popping out, breaking, or bending, leading to friction and operational problems.

The new cam design seeks to resolve these issues by introducing substantial changes to the pin and its housing. In the redesign, the cam features larger teeth, significantly increasing the pin's diameter and providing a robust, redundant connection. A precision press-fit process is employed to secure the pins, and an enhanced inner housing design ensures optimal welding points for added stability.

Also, the cam system now incorporates 2 pins. In the rare event of a pin failure, the machine is equipped with a backup pin to ensure continuous functionality. The upgrades aim to address the most common cause of Neuma machine failures and enhance their overall reliability.

Fuel, Fire, & That Which I Desire! Tattoo Machine Spring Fix

[33:16] “The cap acts as a spring retainer but it also isolates the mechanism side from the cartridge side. So rather than having an ‘Open Transmission’, the hole is about the size of a plunger so it separates the two sides a lot better.”

— Carson Hill

Previously, springs were nestled in the grip using a small groove, which posed challenges when taking the machine apart. The innovation addresses concerns of an "open transmission" design, with a large hole leading straight in. The latest design improvement involves securing the spring in a steel cap twisted onto the inner housing. It acts as both a spring retainer and a barrier, preventing oil from the mechanism side from mixing with the ink and other fluids from the cartridge side, resulting in a more efficient, separated mechanism.

And with multiple spring options, knowing when to opt for a stiffer spring involves paying attention to machine behavior. If you notice chatter, looseness, or unusual noise in the cartridge, it might be time to consider switching to the heavier spring. However, it's crucial to note that the majority of tattoo artists may find the standard spring more suitable. Using the appropriate spring not only improves performance but also prolongs the motor's lifespan by reducing friction.

Push That Thing Down, Flip It & Reverse It

[36:04] “There was a secret intended purpose for the asymmetrical stroke profile, but I never got around to figuring out how to achieve that until now”

— Carson Hill

Carson has also revealed a specific function that was intended with previous versions of the Neuma machines, but was never implemented for technical reasons. With the battery-powered “Play” version holding the power button for two seconds allows the machine to switch between forward and reverse modes.

The 28% and 33% cams have an asymmetrical waveform, meaning that the needle's extension differs from its retraction, providing diverse stroke profiles for specific tattooing needs. This makes it easy for artists to adapt their tattoo machine for various styles, from lining to shading, with a simple button press.

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Transcript for this video can be found (here). All transcripts can be found (Here)

The Fireside Tattoo Network is home to the Fireside podcast, Fireside Technique video series and our Fireside Weekly blog.

The Fireside Tattoo podcast is hosted by veteran tattooer Jake Meeks, check out our episodes where we discuss, argue and wax philosophical, from tips for all levels of artists to trends in the tattoo world. Many guest artists have sat down for interviews and in-depth conversations and many more are planned…check back often!

Our Fireside Tattoo Overview video series offers informative, short, and detailed videos geared towards helping artists understand the science and nuances of tattoos and make more informed decisions to improve their work. We often take some of our more technical topics from our Fireside podcast and film an in-depth, narrated, time-lapse video showing exactly how Jake or our featured artists handle certain issues.

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