TOOLS: PUENTE

After we completed his chest piece, Horitaka gifted me this machine made by Juan Puenté. I was in love the first time the electricity ran through her.  That was over 16 years ago.  In that time I've used this machine on every single tattoo I've worked on since.  The equilibrium that she and I found has never been surpassed.

In this photo, taken by Max Dolberg, she is a bit worn.  It was at the height of the Full Coverage project and I was pushing to finish backpieces by the deadline.  Needless to say, at the time I wasnt overly concerned with machine ascetics.  Neither was she and she's since continued to sing through thick and thin.

Thanks Juan and Taki.

TOOLS: THE NAIL

Back in the early years this Nail, by Dennis Dwyer, was the second machine I acquired.  Third if you count the homemade contraption.  Its been torn apart multiple times, to the point where I think the frame is the only original component.  Over time its ended up with Dringenberg coils, a Leeverloc off some Spaulding rig, a front post I think Phil Holt made, other scrap hardware, chrome sanded off, etc.  Most recently I welded a roll cage to it and soaked it in motor oil for a spell.  Its interesting how your tools age.