TATTOO EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH GRADED A+
SOLUTIONS, UPDATED 2026,
GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Q: When the armature bar is flat on the front coil, what is the smallest gap
above the rear coil? ANSWER: .010 ✔✔
Technical Note: This gap (often measured with a feeler gauge) is critical. If the
armature bar touches the rear coil, the magnetic circuit won't break correctly, and
the machine will stop or "stutter."
Q: What does a smaller gap above the rear coil cause? ANSWER: More
power. ✔✔
Explanation: A smaller gap means the magnetic field has a shorter distance to pull
the armature bar. This results in a faster, harder strike, which is often preferred for
color packing or bold lining. Conversely, a larger gap makes for a "softer" hit
suitable for smooth shading.
Q: What should the armature bars be made of? ANSWER: Plain steel. ✔✔
Why? Plain steel (low-carbon steel) has high magnetic permeability, meaning it is
easily magnetized and demagnetized. Metals like stainless steel are generally non-
magnetic and will not work in a coil machine.
Q: How does a machine run if too much of the coil core is showing? ANSWER:
Hot. ✔✔
Observation: If the coil cores are too high or the armature bar is improperly
aligned, the electrical resistance increases, causing the machine to pull more
amperage and generate excessive heat in the frame.
,Q: What type of edges should your contact screw have? ANSWER: Rounded
and smooth. ✔✔
Why? Sharp edges can "bite" into the front spring, causing it to fatigue and snap
prematurely. A rounded, smooth tip ensures a clean electrical break and consistent
timing without damaging the spring.
Q: Where on the front spring should the contact screw be hitting? ANSWER:
Front and end of the spring. ✔✔
Q: What length of spring would run faster? ANSWER: Short spring with a
high angle. ✔✔
Tuning Tip: Short, stiff springs have a higher "cycle rate" (speed). This is the
classic setup for a Liner. Long, thin springs with a low angle run slower and
"softer," which is ideal for a Shader.
Q: What type of metal should the contact screw be made of to have the highest
conductivity? ANSWER: Brass. ✔✔
Conductivity Fact: While silver is technically the most conductive, Electrical
Brass is the industry standard because it provides excellent conductivity while
being hard enough to resist "mushrooming" or wearing down over time from the
constant vibration.
Q: How does the armature bar hit the front coil core? ANSWER: Flat, full
contact. ✔✔
Maintenance: If the armature bar hits at an angle, it creates "chatter" and uneven
needle depth. Use a small file to ensure the face of the coil core and the bottom of
the armature bar are perfectly parallel.
Q: What do you want the frame on your tattoo machine to be? ANSWER:
Non-conductive. ✔✔
,Safety/Function: The frame should not be part of the active circuit. If the frame
becomes conductive (electrified), the armature bar may stick to the coils, or you
may experience a "direct short" that can shock the artist or the client. Insulating
washers (shoulder washers) are used on the binding posts to prevent the current
from traveling through the frame.
What happens when your machine is conductive and electrified? -
ANSWER✔✔The armature bar sticks to the coils causing the matching to stay in
an "on" setting
What diameter should your post binding be? -ANSWER✔✔5/16
What happens if you use a steel contact screw? -ANSWER✔✔Can cause unwanted
spark
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 once-piece contact screw the best choice? -ANSWER✔✔Screws with
things added on top can cause vibration
What are the two advantages of to using a brass contact screw? -
ANSWER✔✔100% conductive and keeps its shape longer than other choices
How much if the contact screw should 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 the best from a shorter spring? -ANSWER✔✔A
liner
Which spring is the most important for tuning the machine? -ANSWER✔✔The rear
spring
A machine that is very hard hitting and fast running moves the needle in and out of
the skin so fast that _____? -ANSWER✔✔It doesn't leave enough pigment behind
What is the ideal width of the springs used on the machine? -ANSWER✔✔The
springs should be just as wide as the part they're attached to
What types of screws should you use to hold the coils to the frame? -
ANSWER✔✔Always use a magnetic screw that sits flush to the frame
What is the function of the tube vise? -ANSWER✔✔Firmly hold the tube in place
and properly align the tube while the machine is in use
How should a tube vise hold a tube in comparison to the machine? -
ANSWER✔✔Squarely front to back and side to side
What is the most important part of a tattoo machine? -ANSWER✔✔Coils
ANSWERS WITH GRADED A+
SOLUTIONS, UPDATED 2026,
GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Q: When the armature bar is flat on the front coil, what is the smallest gap
above the rear coil? ANSWER: .010 ✔✔
Technical Note: This gap (often measured with a feeler gauge) is critical. If the
armature bar touches the rear coil, the magnetic circuit won't break correctly, and
the machine will stop or "stutter."
Q: What does a smaller gap above the rear coil cause? ANSWER: More
power. ✔✔
Explanation: A smaller gap means the magnetic field has a shorter distance to pull
the armature bar. This results in a faster, harder strike, which is often preferred for
color packing or bold lining. Conversely, a larger gap makes for a "softer" hit
suitable for smooth shading.
Q: What should the armature bars be made of? ANSWER: Plain steel. ✔✔
Why? Plain steel (low-carbon steel) has high magnetic permeability, meaning it is
easily magnetized and demagnetized. Metals like stainless steel are generally non-
magnetic and will not work in a coil machine.
Q: How does a machine run if too much of the coil core is showing? ANSWER:
Hot. ✔✔
Observation: If the coil cores are too high or the armature bar is improperly
aligned, the electrical resistance increases, causing the machine to pull more
amperage and generate excessive heat in the frame.
,Q: What type of edges should your contact screw have? ANSWER: Rounded
and smooth. ✔✔
Why? Sharp edges can "bite" into the front spring, causing it to fatigue and snap
prematurely. A rounded, smooth tip ensures a clean electrical break and consistent
timing without damaging the spring.
Q: Where on the front spring should the contact screw be hitting? ANSWER:
Front and end of the spring. ✔✔
Q: What length of spring would run faster? ANSWER: Short spring with a
high angle. ✔✔
Tuning Tip: Short, stiff springs have a higher "cycle rate" (speed). This is the
classic setup for a Liner. Long, thin springs with a low angle run slower and
"softer," which is ideal for a Shader.
Q: What type of metal should the contact screw be made of to have the highest
conductivity? ANSWER: Brass. ✔✔
Conductivity Fact: While silver is technically the most conductive, Electrical
Brass is the industry standard because it provides excellent conductivity while
being hard enough to resist "mushrooming" or wearing down over time from the
constant vibration.
Q: How does the armature bar hit the front coil core? ANSWER: Flat, full
contact. ✔✔
Maintenance: If the armature bar hits at an angle, it creates "chatter" and uneven
needle depth. Use a small file to ensure the face of the coil core and the bottom of
the armature bar are perfectly parallel.
Q: What do you want the frame on your tattoo machine to be? ANSWER:
Non-conductive. ✔✔
,Safety/Function: The frame should not be part of the active circuit. If the frame
becomes conductive (electrified), the armature bar may stick to the coils, or you
may experience a "direct short" that can shock the artist or the client. Insulating
washers (shoulder washers) are used on the binding posts to prevent the current
from traveling through the frame.
What happens when your machine is conductive and electrified? -
ANSWER✔✔The armature bar sticks to the coils causing the matching to stay in
an "on" setting
What diameter should your post binding be? -ANSWER✔✔5/16
What happens if you use a steel contact screw? -ANSWER✔✔Can cause unwanted
spark
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 once-piece contact screw the best choice? -ANSWER✔✔Screws with
things added on top can cause vibration
What are the two advantages of to using a brass contact screw? -
ANSWER✔✔100% conductive and keeps its shape longer than other choices
How much if the contact screw should 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 the best from a shorter spring? -ANSWER✔✔A
liner
Which spring is the most important for tuning the machine? -ANSWER✔✔The rear
spring
A machine that is very hard hitting and fast running moves the needle in and out of
the skin so fast that _____? -ANSWER✔✔It doesn't leave enough pigment behind
What is the ideal width of the springs used on the machine? -ANSWER✔✔The
springs should be just as wide as the part they're attached to
What types of screws should you use to hold the coils to the frame? -
ANSWER✔✔Always use a magnetic screw that sits flush to the frame
What is the function of the tube vise? -ANSWER✔✔Firmly hold the tube in place
and properly align the tube while the machine is in use
How should a tube vise hold a tube in comparison to the machine? -
ANSWER✔✔Squarely front to back and side to side
What is the most important part of a tattoo machine? -ANSWER✔✔Coils
