Got a new machine? Now what?

The first thing a new apprentice should do upon getting their first
tattoo machine is to take it apart. It is very important for a tattoo
artist to know exactly how the entire machine works, and how
it is assembled. There may be a time when a part needs to be
changed out on the machine and with very little time to spare.
Typically a tattoo artist has a whole host of machines, and a
spare should always be ready. Nonetheless, it is always recommended
that every tattoo artist who is starting their career be
able to disassemble and reassemble their machine (actually it is
pretty much a requirement).