I like to do smokey eyeliner with my Infiniti. Do you find the NeoTat is able to do this style--I know you like your washes. I ask because I recall people describing the TapTatDaddio as good only for precision work.

I don't sterilize anything because we use all 1-inch grip disposable tubes. That would be the only resemblance because it is a rotary machine, but it surely gets the job done so don't compare it to a pen-type rotary - this baby can pack a punch.

I always felt it was only a liner machine but Ray now makes shaders and a couple of us are having terrific results with it for lips. I always set up two machines before anyway to go to a bigger needle grouping for fill, so now I set up my liner machine and my shader machine. It handles mags very well.

LiZa, you should try this out...I just got my liner, yesterday...the one Robert ordered for me...and it Rocks. I really like it, we have about 25 different coil machines I can use daily, but after trying this...and seeing how precise it is...for alot of detailed work; I am not sure I will continue to use coils for traditional tattoo work in the future...no rubber bands...no hard to sanitize coils...besides, I think this will work awesome for eyes, lips and brows. It is so quiet...quite when compared to the coils..oh yeh..but quiet when compared to your iStar even.

It will take some getting use to...it behaves differently than the coil does...but I am certain it was an excellent choice for me. I am still using my coil power supply...just had to get a different power tip on the end...doesnt use clips...but I think it is love at first sight...and the pigs love it...(lol private joke). I will spend the next couple of days getting use to it before I go to "hog wild".

I am curious who in the chat has the shader...and what you think of it...and when do you switch up to the shader? also, do you use round or diamond tubes with your liner?...does it appear to make a difference on the power setting? I am use to the sound of the coil..and tuning in the power based on sound and feel. This machine has very little vibration...and very little sound..gonna take some getting use to!

The liner seems to need a larger needle configuration (I use extra long tapers), to achieve the same results as the coil machine I learned on...I think it is because the rotary Neo Tat...is more precise...not as much wobble as the coil...so I am finding that it tends to show lines (passes) more...not sure if this is just part of the learning curve...or if I will need to switch to a looser configuration???

i like the diamond tips, they keep the needle nice and snug.
very little vibration like IB says, but its still way too much weight up top for me. only because of my personal nerve loss problems in my arms. but IF i was starting out and had healthy hands and wrists, the NEO's would be my choice.

i went ahead and bought the liner and the shader both and outfitted myself with needles and tubes--i love the way the machine works and i love being able to use standard tattoo needles. i just wish i could turn the hands of the clock back.

i decided to get the machines because as a trainer, I dont think its fair to make everyone use only one machine, i think they need options. so with the iStar (who has beautiful needles by the way) and the Neo's, i can offer students 2 very good options.

IB, you are seeing the pass lines--thats great-it means you've got a steady hand and good pigment going in, but yes, as you said-by switching to a looser config you will get a more muted pass line.

thanks to rozan and maggie and kathleen ciampi for their input when i called on all of them one by one for their help on the Neo's. and thanks to Ray for being so helpful and such a good guy period.

I would not be working today if I hadn't switched over and many of us are now are in the same position. I know your problems are more involved, Liza, but do you know that the constant vibration in your hand is a proven contributing factor to these medical conditions? With a proper tube size and grip style, you might end up better off in the long run - something to investigate, maybe.

Regarding tube tips...I won't use round tipped tubes. I always used diamond tip because I want to see a lot of needle and I like how they fit.

Edit notes..I forgot to answer about the shader. I use it to fill lips, areaola, camouflage, soft fill brows, smudgy eyeliner...hmmm....I think I use my shader more than my liner it seems.

my hand problems as you mentioned are involved yes, it began with 14 years of competitive gymnastics- floor ex, balance beam, uneven parallels and trampoline. (trampoline came in at the very end) so there were years of rebounding off locked joints, hyperextions etc.., then there was 15 years of carrying a nuclear densometer in the 'field' which weighed 45 pounds at the end of a 12 inch handle, the weight acted like a pendulum on my wrists, elbows and shoulders, consequently my vertebrae began to deteriorate which resulted in a tri-level fusion of C4-5, 5-6 and 6-7.
oh, throw in an accident where i was rear ended with my hands on the wheel and there you have it--problem stew for the upper limbs.
6 years of coils didnt ruin my hands, i had already done that, but the vibration of the coils pained me greatly.

i wont give up my iStar, its my 'GO TO' machine, especially now that we have magnum needles, but i do like the Neo's and will use them in tandem with the iStar for training.
thanks for your input mags, very helpful
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Like Maggie, I use my shader machine for lip fills, shaded eyeliner, soft brows.

I’ve been moving in all week. I just came home to grab some lunch and stick a hot pad on my back, lol Geeze, do I feel old. Lifting boxes is harder than it use to be. I’ve been working 12-14 hours per day for 6 days to get it all set up again.

Wow, thanks Ms. M for your glowing report of my day with you. You were doing nice work, there’s just a little different technique with the Neo, and you were getting it wonderfully when our day ended.

My first business day in my new shop is tomorrow. It has a fabulous classroom. I still need to get a few ducks in a row, but anyone who is interested in Neo specific training, please contact me privately at RoseAnnCloud@Yahoo.com

I'm located in Northern California (Antioch, CA)

When Lizzy said it brought a tear to her, I swelled up a tad too. You all are so wonderful! If I haven’t said it enough, I feel like I have true friends on here, and I enjoy our chats.

Good one Roz. That really brought REAL tears to my eyes. LOL.