Best machine for a newbie?

Any idea's on a tattoo machine for someone who is just starting out? I don't want to buy something great just to learn on but I would like to get a decent machine. Any idea's or input would be greatly appreciated!

Try some colored pencils.........................

colored pencils aren't a machine, how about a mechanical pencil?

Hey Hotspark thanks for the awesome advise asshole.

if you dont like the advise then quit asking tech. questions and get yourself a appr4enticeship best way to go

kelfaced - take your scratcher butt back to the backyard tattoo party that you stumbled out from. we don't discuss technical matters here or any other respectable forum on the internet and your rudeness is definitely not needed. your question would be best answered by your mentor, if that is you have one.

hahaha! You guys need to relax with your seriosness, it's lame! Oh and I'm soo super insulted by someone I don't even know calling me a scratcher haha, yea right! Cuz you of all people would know.....kind of like I know that you're such a rad tatoo artist.

Hey Pal, you are right, you are not a scratcher, because a scratcher at least has a machine to scratch with. Do yourself a favor, don't even seek for an apprenticeship, because the last thing this industry needs is an asshole like you. If you are not willing to take it, keep watching the Cartoon network. BTW, just so you get situated here, Hotspark, the guy you just insulted, end up being a fine machine builder. Next time before you even open your mouth do your research. I may be a machine builder as well that denies selling machines to scratcher like you.

Best machine for a newbie? My recommendation is for ther Ritter/Midmark M7 speedclave. Excellent machine that really packs a punch! I couldn't work without it! - Paul

Kelfaced...I am not gonna flame you like the others and I am not really sure why they did...and I am not gonna tell you what machine to buy...when you are at a point where ya need a machine ( and you will need TWO!) you will then have the knowledge to make your purchases. I will tell you to stay away from EBAY and the following suppliers...international, Superior, Huck Spaulding and any of the Asian based companies that sell machines and kits cheap. A decent machine will cost at leat $ 150-$200 at a minimum! Good luck man!

Thanks to the people that actually answered the question as oppose to being dickheads and then calling me the asshole for defending myself. My advise to them in the future is if you don't like a post don't reply to it. You're not hurting my feelings with your empty worthless insults, you just make yourself look like a hater. Don't forget you weren't born with a tattoo machine in your hand, you too had to start somewhere.

From what I can tell, learning to tattoo by trial and error and researching on the internet is very unresponsible. the publics skin is in danger both in terms of heath and almost alwyas artistis and tattooing quality. Responsible artists learn to tattoo under the wing of another accomplished tattoo artist. Part of the mentors job is to insure the public gets a clean, quality tattoo. if you want to be a tattoo artist and cant get an apprenticeship, buy more classes and painting supplies and get better at your art.

And I have to agree with Bird geek...you shouldn't buy a machine until you have a mentoer who is a competent tattoo artist to show you the ropes....its much easier to avoid bad habits BEFORE you make them habits. I am not trying to discourage you man...in fact I wish you the best and if I can help just email me. Just don't put the horse before the cart. In my opinion the first thing you should buy ( once you have a mentor) is an autoclave. Don't put the cart before the horse! Good luck!