Help!! Problem with Coilmachine

Hey guys!
So im loosing my head right now. Appreciate ANY advice!
My machine has been running smooth for a long time with no issues what so ever.
I went through my weekly check to tighten loose screws, cleaning oxidized points and making sure armature bar is set right.
I always testrun the machine with needle and rubberbands just to make sure it all works out.

First some fast specs- These issues first began when i started using larger needlegroupings such as 9RL or 13M. When i used 3RL it all worked fine.
Also relevant(?) my amps are in need to go up more to get the machine running somewhat "ok" during these issues.

Anyhow to the issues:
1. Machine works fine but after releasing the pedal it wont start. Only way to get it going again is to play around with the Contact Screw.
2. I also feel like the needle just bounce off of the skin instead of "puncture" (not delivering ink into skin).

So my knowledge tells me that the 1st issue is/could be the Pedal, Wiring, Power source, coils or transistor. Remember i always make sure contact point is clean.
even though the issues might be what i just wrote... How do i check which one it is??

The 2nd issue is in my mind related to armaturebar pressure. But i put tension on it from time to time. Is it to little tension?

as i said above ANYTHING helps! Educate me or help me narrow it down!
Many thanks

Have you got any other machines to see if its your power supply or foot pedal? Could also be a dodgy clip cord??

I would do what Torb said, first check ALL the possible connections with another machine.

Your first issue could be so many things, When the machine is loaded and turned off, does the contact screw touch the front spring? When you press the pedal does it begin to draw amps or do they stay at 0?

Second issue can be two things. You aren't stretching enough or the machine doesnt have the power to push the grouping. Stretch more or turn up the volts.

If you keep putting tension on the backspring you maybe put to much tension on it and the coils need to work super hard to pull it down and your hit will be very weak.

Torb said:

Have you got any other machines to see if its your power supply or foot pedal? Could also be a dodgy clip cord??

Click to expand...

I will get my hands a machine from a friend so i will be able to try it out!
Yeah the clip cord comes to mind, but doesnt that usually result in machine dying while keeping pedal pressed?
Thank you btw!

Chustik said:

I would do what Torb said, first check ALL the possible connections with another machine.

Your first issue could be so many things, When the machine is loaded and turned off, does the contact screw touch the front spring? When you press the pedal does it begin to draw amps or do they stay at 0?

Second issue can be two things. You aren't stretching enough or the machine doesnt have the power to push the grouping. Stretch more or turn up the volts.

If you keep putting tension on the backspring you maybe put to much tension on it and the coils need to work super hard to pull it down and your hit will be very weak.

Click to expand...

Contact screw and front spring touch while turned of and loaded.
When i press the pedal the amps wander a little bit, about 0.2-0.4 amps!

that makes alot of sense actually, Will try to stretch even more

Maybe i should play around with the tension on the backspring in small stages, because that makes alot of sense aswell!
Thank you! Now have some stuff to work on and it doesnt feel as impossible as it felt yesterday

I'm sure it will be something simple. It does sound more like a problem with the machine but still probably worth checking everything else with another machine first. What sort of machine is it? And what power supply are you using?

is it possible you've magnetized your frame? going to a bigger needle grouping & upping amps then continually doing so can magnetize your frame. Cores & yolks can get magnetized over time as well. time to degauss.

does your machine heat up fast?
are your sure your contacts are clean?
try one variable at a time. diff machine, diff clip/rca cord, diff pwr supply

Torb said:

I'm sure it will be something simple. It does sound more like a problem with the machine but still probably worth checking everything else with another machine first. What sort of machine is it? And what power supply are you using?

Click to expand...

First of all i noticed my front spring had a crack in it (right below the screw w plates) and broke when i disassembled the armaturebar, so i put a fresh one on. Other than that, less tension seems to work out both for the needles now getting puncture AND the power cutoff. I was even able to turn the amps down! It all works fine now!

Thanks to all of you! I will keep the Thread open for others and more discussions like this!

gadsden1776 said:

is it possible you've magnetized your frame? going to a bigger needle grouping & upping amps then continually doing so can magnetize your frame. Cores & yolks can get magnetized over time as well. time to degauss.

does your machine heat up fast?
are your sure your contacts are clean?
try one variable at a time. diff machine, diff clip/rca cord, diff pwr supply

Click to expand...

I solved the issues, but i still came to think about my machine heating up fast during the issue.
Is there anything too especially look for when trying to keep the temp at a normal degree?
Thx!

your temp can be attributed to a few factors & they can spiral.

having it tuned wrong for the groups your pushing is the start... then you start upping the volts... then you get magnetized... then you up the volts... then it gets hot faster.

it starts with building the machine for purpose (very old post around here has a link to machinegun magazine - mandatory for building/tuning IMO).

a proper coil is still my favorite way to tattoo. i really like my rotary & will get a pen eventually... but only because I'm lazy. the feedback, hit, sound.... for me it's coil all the way. but - having 1 machine & now getting into carts is just so much more convenient.

gadsden1776 said:

your temp can be attributed to a few factors & they can spiral.

having it tuned wrong for the groups your pushing is the start... then you start upping the volts... then you get magnetized... then you up the volts... then it gets hot faster.

it starts with building the machine for purpose (very old post around here has a link to machine gun magazine - mandatory for building/tuning IMO).

a proper coil is still my favorite way to tattoo. i really like my rotary & will get a pen eventually... but only because I'm lazy. the feedback, hit, sound.... for me it's coil all the way. but - having 1 machine & now getting into carts is just so much more convenient.

Click to expand...

I most certainly will look into that!
Would hate torturing my machine if not necessary.
Im quite new, been tattoing for like 4-5 months. I think Coil is the way to go, to really learn everything and the more i learn, the more i love coil!
I'm a welder from the beginning and the hardest and most nervwrecking method is the best way to become a good allround welder. I think it kind off applies to the tattoo learning curve too.

Thank you btw

jilaeast said:

.... and the hardest and most nervwrecking method is the best way to become a good allround....

Click to expand...

this.

for everything in life in my experience. learn the old, traditional, hard ways. then the new, shiny, fancy just makes life better.

you are on your way imo.
being a welder you might even have access to the equipment to properly degauss you tattoo stuff.