TATTOO LICENSE TEST STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, UPDATED
2026, FULL SOLUTIONS WITH
GUARANTEED A+ GRADING
Tattoo Machine Mechanics & Tuning Essentials
Q: When the armature is flat on the front coil, what is the smallest gap above
the rear coil? ANSWER: .010 ✔✔
Technical Insight: This minute gap is vital for the magnetic cycle. If the armature
bar touches both coils simultaneously, the machine will "stick" and fail to cycle.
This is usually measured with a feeler gauge.
Q: What does a smaller gap above the rear coil cause? ANSWER: More
power. ✔✔
Reasoning: A smaller gap increases the magnetic pull strength on the bar, creating
a harder "snap." This is ideal for color packing or driving larger needle groupings.
Q: What should the armature bars be made of? ANSWER: Plain steel. ✔✔
Why? Plain carbon steel has high magnetic permeability, meaning it responds
instantly to the electromagnetic field. Metals like stainless steel are generally non-
magnetic and will not work.
Q: How does a machine run if too much of the coil core is showing?
ANSWER: Hot. ✔✔
Pro-Tip: If the coils are mismatched to the frame height, the electrical resistance
increases, causing the machine to pull more amperage and overheat the frame and
your hand.
,Q: Where on the front spring should the contact screw be hitting? ANSWER:
The front or end of the spring. ✔✔
Stability: Hitting the very tip of the spring provides the most "give" and leverage,
allowing for a consistent vibration cycle.
Q: What type of edges should your contact screw have? ANSWER: Rounded
and smooth. ✔✔
Maintenance: A flat or sharp screw will "pit" the spring, causing it to crack or
snap mid-procedure. A smooth, rounded tip ensures a clean electrical break.
Q: What length of spring would run faster? ANSWER: A short spring with a
high angle. ✔✔
Speed Tuning: Short, stiff springs vibrate at a higher frequency. This is the classic
setup for a Liner. Long, low-angle springs are slower and "softer," which is
preferred for Shading.
Q: What metal should the contact screw be made of for highest conductivity?
ANSWER: Brass. ✔✔
Electrical Fact: Brass is highly conductive and durable. While silver is technically
more conductive, it is too soft and would wear down quickly under the constant
hammering of the machine.
How does the armature bar hit the front coil core? -ANSWER✔✔flat, full contact
What do you want the frame on your tattoo machine to be? -ANSWER✔✔non-
conductive
What happens when your machine is conductive of electrified? -ANSWER✔✔The
armature bar sticks to the coils causing the machine to stay in an "on" setting.
, What diameter should your binding post be? -ANSWER✔✔5/16
What happens if you use a steel contact screw -ANSWER✔✔can cause unwanted
sparks
When setting up your machine, why would you "snug" down the eye of the needle
bar? -ANSWER✔✔This helps to prevent weak and jumpy lines
Why is a one-piece contact screw the best choice? -ANSWER✔✔screws with
things added on top and can add to the vibration
What are the two advantages to using a brass contact screw? -ANSWER✔✔100%
conductive and keeps its shape longer than other choices
How much of the contact screw needs to be touching the front spring? -
ANSWER✔✔a tiny contact area
Why should you use plain steel for a spring rather than a coated spring? -
ANSWER✔✔The coating wears away quickly, which causes a bad connection
What kind of reaction can you expect from a machine with a very low spring
angle? -ANSWER✔✔spongy and weak
Which type of machine benefits best from a shorter spring? -ANSWER✔✔A liner
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, UPDATED
2026, FULL SOLUTIONS WITH
GUARANTEED A+ GRADING
Tattoo Machine Mechanics & Tuning Essentials
Q: When the armature is flat on the front coil, what is the smallest gap above
the rear coil? ANSWER: .010 ✔✔
Technical Insight: This minute gap is vital for the magnetic cycle. If the armature
bar touches both coils simultaneously, the machine will "stick" and fail to cycle.
This is usually measured with a feeler gauge.
Q: What does a smaller gap above the rear coil cause? ANSWER: More
power. ✔✔
Reasoning: A smaller gap increases the magnetic pull strength on the bar, creating
a harder "snap." This is ideal for color packing or driving larger needle groupings.
Q: What should the armature bars be made of? ANSWER: Plain steel. ✔✔
Why? Plain carbon steel has high magnetic permeability, meaning it responds
instantly to the electromagnetic field. Metals like stainless steel are generally non-
magnetic and will not work.
Q: How does a machine run if too much of the coil core is showing?
ANSWER: Hot. ✔✔
Pro-Tip: If the coils are mismatched to the frame height, the electrical resistance
increases, causing the machine to pull more amperage and overheat the frame and
your hand.
,Q: Where on the front spring should the contact screw be hitting? ANSWER:
The front or end of the spring. ✔✔
Stability: Hitting the very tip of the spring provides the most "give" and leverage,
allowing for a consistent vibration cycle.
Q: What type of edges should your contact screw have? ANSWER: Rounded
and smooth. ✔✔
Maintenance: A flat or sharp screw will "pit" the spring, causing it to crack or
snap mid-procedure. A smooth, rounded tip ensures a clean electrical break.
Q: What length of spring would run faster? ANSWER: A short spring with a
high angle. ✔✔
Speed Tuning: Short, stiff springs vibrate at a higher frequency. This is the classic
setup for a Liner. Long, low-angle springs are slower and "softer," which is
preferred for Shading.
Q: What metal should the contact screw be made of for highest conductivity?
ANSWER: Brass. ✔✔
Electrical Fact: Brass is highly conductive and durable. While silver is technically
more conductive, it is too soft and would wear down quickly under the constant
hammering of the machine.
How does the armature bar hit the front coil core? -ANSWER✔✔flat, full contact
What do you want the frame on your tattoo machine to be? -ANSWER✔✔non-
conductive
What happens when your machine is conductive of electrified? -ANSWER✔✔The
armature bar sticks to the coils causing the machine to stay in an "on" setting.
, What diameter should your binding post be? -ANSWER✔✔5/16
What happens if you use a steel contact screw -ANSWER✔✔can cause unwanted
sparks
When setting up your machine, why would you "snug" down the eye of the needle
bar? -ANSWER✔✔This helps to prevent weak and jumpy lines
Why is a one-piece contact screw the best choice? -ANSWER✔✔screws with
things added on top and can add to the vibration
What are the two advantages to using a brass contact screw? -ANSWER✔✔100%
conductive and keeps its shape longer than other choices
How much of the contact screw needs to be touching the front spring? -
ANSWER✔✔a tiny contact area
Why should you use plain steel for a spring rather than a coated spring? -
ANSWER✔✔The coating wears away quickly, which causes a bad connection
What kind of reaction can you expect from a machine with a very low spring
angle? -ANSWER✔✔spongy and weak
Which type of machine benefits best from a shorter spring? -ANSWER✔✔A liner
