Crafting Premium Tattoo Machines in San Diego - Cutting the First Piece

Welcome tattoo enthusiasts to my San Diego tattoo shop blog! I'm Chris, a tattoo artist and machinist based right here in America's Finest City. In this series of posts, I'll be giving you an inside look at my process for handmaking custom machines optimized for traditional tattoo art - from raw materials to completed builds.

Today, we'll be starting at the very beginning by precision cutting the sideplate. This crucial component forms the foundation that everything else gets built upon. Each of my machines starts off as simple metal stock and parts in my small but well-equipped San Diego workshop. I measure, mark, and expertly cut the sideplate myself using specialized cutting tools.

Let's jump into the video showing how I transform a flat piece of 1018 mild steel into the first piece of a future tattoo machine:

Building a custom tattoo machine, in my San Diego workshop,starting with cutting out and designing the side plate the side plate.

As you can see, cutting the sideplate requires precision measurements and a steady hand to get a perfect smooth edge. This initial step sets the tone for the rest of the build. The marks I make here guide the placement of critical components down the line like the contact screw, coils, and binding posts.

Over the coming weeks, I'll be documenting the full process from these humble beginnings to completed machine ready for San Diego's traditional tattoo artists. You'll get an inside look at my dedication to the craft of building reliable equipment optimized specifically for this city's vibrant traditional tattoo culture.

Next up is welding the sideplate and machining components to custom specs for buttery smooth operation. Stay tuned tattoo enthusiasts and artists alike! And if you're interested in having your own personalized machine hand-built just for you and your style, hit me up. I can help craft the perfect instrument for your artistic needs.

Thanks for following along on this journey. I'm proud to showcase how I merge machining with creativity to produce quality tools right here in America's Finest City, the capital of traditional tattooing on the West Coast. The art of tattooing starts with the machine - built with care, one piece at a time.