Tattoo Review: Pros & Cons of Riding tube

Pros & Cons of Riding tube. In this video I explain why 'riding the tube' when tattooing can be very restricting.
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[@kennethmorris5902]

I do both, but I learned that it is easier to ride the tube, I think the shops and pros started this to make it harder for new up coming artists, because it works. And the tube in fact is a guide for deth. And it's really for the proposed to ride it. And that's why it was made. Because if you didn't have a tube the tattoo machine wouldn't work. So there no reason why not to. It was a good way to keep it harder for ppl to learn

[@iairabadi4651]

Just tattooed my leg last night riding the tube and the only problem I found is that you feel the plastic of the cartridge along your skin but that's it

[@viniv20]

It really all depends dude. Everyone works different. I myself do the following, and you can't say it's wrong : For fine lines, details and such, i always hang out my needle, and pretty damn far ! When it comes to fat lines it depends on the piece, i personally do allot of mandalas, geometric work and maori/polynesian type of stuff. When i have to do mandalas and geometric, again i let the needle hang out, but when i have to do maori and alike, i drag the needle/ride the tube. Why ? because polynesian and especially maori have allot of super long curvy lines, + i draw everything freehand. So actually there's no need to follow the design exactly like you would have to do with something fine or something geometric. So generally ot make it sound a bit more easy, for geometric work i use the hang technique, for organic type of work i use the tube riding technique. Cause for organic all i really care about is that my line flow and curvature is prefect cause the piece is gonna be coloured black later on anyway so your lines are just a border , while for geometric work i take more notice on the fact that my lines are straight and have the same thickness as it's the lines that make the design appear geometric and tight. + i also find the riding technique works better for very long lines, i recently did an asian mask on someones back with a 14 round liner and riding the tube, well maybe hard to believe for you but those lines healed perfect and fast ! no blowouts whatsoever. Everyone is different and as long as your end result is of the quality it should be, then personally who cares what you do .. as long as your end result is good !

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks for your comment. If riding the tube works for you then I'm not going to say you're wrong because if it works for you then it works. This video is merely my personal opinion. I respect other artists opinions. As with everything concerned with tattooing, it's all down to personal preference. Thanks for your input. Take care bro.

[@littlemanhuerta4442]

viniv20 riding the tube is easier with bigger needles but what I notices its kinda hard to do with 3RL or small parts of tattoo.I ride the tube when I tattoo it seems easier but only with bigger needles

[@kennynyc1555]

I would imagine for shading , riding the tube would be good , I could be wrong but say using like a 21Curved mag and would be easier on skin then letting needles hang and could possibly snag the skin from time to time.

[@viniv20]

@@kennynyc1555 yeah but shading and colouring its normal to work of the tube. If you start learning u quickly find out that indeed hanging a magnum out means occasional snag / hang up in the skin, and thats a big nonk

[@ThatTattooGuyOfficial]

I've never actually saw anyone do this before, but deff a good explanation for beginners!

[@chuies1314]

Whatever makes the tattooist comfortable is what it comes down to.. everyone has there own style.. but thanks for the info.. nothing wrong with knowing more

[@mickfeagan4658]

I bought a complete tattoo machine kit off Amazon for $39.00 US Dollars. I rode the tube and successfully made a blow out with one dot 😂. Needle was out too far. sucked it in abit and it did fine . I love my new finger tatt. Geat video mate.❤

[@MuffSquad]

Your killing it with these videos dude, invest in a better camera :)

[@jamesdavis3528]

Riding the tube and floating the needle are both proper techniques.....they each have their place, just depends on what factors are involved for the situation.

[@Lovegun.]

Hey Jono. I have a suggestion for a video subject for u. Single needle tattoos. It’s a style I love as it goes with detail orientated work I do. However I have had a lot of trouble with single needles. Everything from getting the ink in the skin, too much trauma, machine speed, needle throw etc. I’ve tried many ways and I can’t seem to get that sweet spot. Anyway, I think a lot of artists would benefit from a video on this. Thank u so much and keep up the good work! Cheers! Tony

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Hi Tony, I have tried single needles in the past but I personally don’t like them. I don’t actually know anyone that uses them anymore. The reasons being are all the ones you’ve just explained. They don’t pick the ink up well and cause too much trauma. Try using a 10-3RL. This will give you a really tight line but put the ink in well at the same time. Thanks for watching.

[@fight1196]

@@JonoSmithTattoo ah 10-03RL :) the trusty ole reliable detail needle and starter needle, always has a special part in my heart 😂

[@steaminkstattoostudio7903]

i am a newbie just 5 mos into tattoing... and i didnt know you can use this style to make it easier in some cases... i always do float... thnx for the knowledge

[@docholiday7973]

plus if someone does not know about throw and the give of the machine. they needle is going to drop back a little so it's very possible for it to not go deep enough when riding the tube unless your running your machine balls out where that needle isn't giving at all but then your just tearing up skin if you don't know what your doing .

[@docholiday7973]

I used to ride the tube when I first started but I realized that it was really stopping me from improving my work. once i started floating my needle I never went back

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Very good point. Thanks for watching.

[@guidiangreggory585]

Very good and explained video. And you really inspired me to try a few new different technics... THANKS BRO.💪

[@automaticnostatic2148]

I've been ridin' the tube for 3 years at a professional shop with zero complaints, I guess it's personal preference. Had to edit me comment. I never ride the tube when tattooing letters but following a stencil line, no worries

[@kennethmorris5902]

when u first start off it's best to start off riding because u can really fuck someone life up not riding it. Then you get a understanding then u push away from the tube the better u get. Understanding the depth

[@melissahoikka2609]

Your left handed! Only a left hander notices another left handed person. Thank you for the video, it's nice to see the difference

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Melissa Hoikka haha yes I’m a lefty!

[@janelee798]

I'm right-handed and I noticed.

[@RoryRips]

I agree with everything you're saying. I'm still very new to tattooing and I started by riding the tube. But now I kind of tattoo in the middle.. I probably throw my needles idk like 2.5mm so I don't ride the tube, but I keep it pretty close. It definitely helps visibility! Mostly since it doesn't dump all the ink like you explained /showed. But keeps me pretty comfortable with my depth and allows for some variation in my depth. How far out do you throw your needles? Probably closer to 3mm? I have a few cheap needle cartridges I only use on practice skin and a few now, even at 2mm throw, don't retract all the way haha! But all my better quality ones do with no problem. Just goes to show equipment quality matters a LOT just like you always say! Keep up the great videos man! Appreciate them! :)

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Yes you’re right, quality equipment will definitely be easier to use and give better results. My throw is probably around 3mm like you say. Thanks for watching!

[@kennethmorris5902]

You really messing up that one not because it's bad to ride the tube but because ur trying to prove you're point, I actually know alot of tattoos pros, that can do better riding and it actually give u way more focused on just doing the tattoo rather than fighting trying to do a tattoo

[@Avakthefirst]

But you're not a tattoo artist so you really don't know what you're talking about. I've been tattooing for 15 years. This guy is a tattoo artist and you know better than he does because you know some artists? Haha, sure. If you're riding the tube then you're a noob because any good artist can float the needle like it's second nature and not even have to think about it.

[@sacredcircle]

I agree. You can watch him rush and throw shitty lines when trying to prove his point.

[@andyhowden7655]

The thought of hovering really scares me. Unless your a human sewing machine. Seems so difficult having to maintain the perfect needle depth constantly 😭 like been able to cut a stencil on a bare table without marking the table!

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

It used to scare me to be honest but like everything you become more confident with practice.

[@andyhowden7655]

@@JonoSmithTattoo Yeah I guess if it was a peice of piss everyone would be doing it. I guess it's what separates the men from the boys 🤣

[@michaelearley1056]

Good point with the ink pooling in the work area .I have this problem I will practice letting it hang out next time see if that cleans up my working area .thanks for the tips .love the video bro

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks for watching!

[@holgerscharfenberg2828]

Its fucking else how you tattoo,the Main thing is good to be.thats how i tattooing my clients

[@a.nellsechs6817]

When it comes to crunch time for customers, do what’s best for your wallet. Tattoo looks the same. Is one better then the other? Is there a wrong way to put down a good well placed tattoo? I don’t think so.

[@helengodlonton3745]

Joni... I do PMU but love your tuition 💕 I’d love to see a video on WHY we would use various needles in preference to others... long taper benefits compared to short etc

[@emrekurtulan7321]

Amazing channel. I just subscribed. Thanks for all vids.

[@rparis103]

thank you sir..great tutorial.

[@haraldpettersen3649]

12:17 - So this is the cartridge's fault ?, Because you did your very best to get the line right and placed right ?.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Harald Pettesen it’s not the cartridge’s fault it’s just lack of visibility.

[@0you2b]

Thank you for explaining the issue so well Jono. Very helpful, LUV your videos! Q: When you use your Cheyenne Pen, do you find that you don't have to stretch the skin quite as much as you do with a coil machine? Thanks again - your awesome for helping.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks for your comment dude, much appreciated. To answer your question, I wouldn't say I find myself stretching anymore or less with a coil but I definitely slow my hand speed down when using a rotary when it comes to lining.

[@fiokeb3907]

I have trouble when i work with mags. The ink just doesn't come out of the tube from time to time. I always have my needle out pretty far. Should I have them stick out less to have a beter inkflow? Or is the probleem caused by something else? I use high quality ink and quadron needles

[@kennynyc1555]

I would imagine for shading , riding the tube would be good , I could be wrong but say using like a 21Curved mag and would be easier on skin then letting needles hang and could possibly snag the skin from time to time.

[@jankuhn1275]

Sorry to brag with your name...but best explaining ..you give in all your vidios ..like your best in explaining thanks

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks for watching!

[@guido69x]

In my opinion riding the tube gets easyer to loose your line,getting away from the stencil guide line!I preffer to see where the needle actualy is,I can get more precision like that and (like you said on the video) skin doesnt have same thickness,turns to be easyer to adapt along the skin thickness! Great video,great channel!!

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

2drunk2funk 2old4school thanks for the great comment!

[@snakeeyes471]

Hello Champion... PLEASE PLEASE INVEST IN A CAMERA!!! thank you for these video uploads and stay real.... I just subscribed :)

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

This is quite an old video. I already did upgrade my equipment. You’ll be able to see the difference in my more recent videos. Thanks for watching!

[@snakeeyes471]

After sending this message yesterday and watching a couple more of your video posts....I saw the footage was clearer and then realised that I had already sent this message (face palm)......Apologies for that.....I AM GOING WATCH EVERY ONE OF YOUR VIDS AND GOING TO Support your channel.... Respect : )

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks dude I really appreciate that!

[@deansinfield9689]

Hi there, when i float the needle, it snags on the skin. How can i get around this as riding the tube is messy? Regards.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Dean Sinfield this is an easy fix. Ever so slightly retract your needle depth, maybe half a millilitre and it won’t snag anymore.

[@deansinfield9689]

@@JonoSmithTattoo hi, its not worked, if my needle hangs out past the tube tip, it just snags every time.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Dean Sinfield could be your stretch isn’t right or maybe the brand of needles are the problem?

[@deansinfield9689]

@@JonoSmithTattoo im using solong cartridges, and im running at 9 v. Also i using reelskin. I can ride the tube, but i cant float the needle with out it stick. Ive tried this woth rotarys and coils and the same thing happens.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Dean Sinfield it’s hard to tell without actually seeing you tattoo but if retracting the needle doesn’t stop it, it could be something to so with your technique. It shouldn’t really be snagging using Reelskin. You might be going too deep.

[@duncankent1330]

Hi jono where can I buy that practice skin from please. .I'm from derby UK. Many thanks

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

duncan kent it’s from www.reelskin.co.uk If you search my other videos there’s some reviews on it. Thanks for watching!

[@duncankent1330]

@@JonoSmithTattoo cheers mate nice one I'll check it out and your videos are just what people like me who's starting out need I'm going though your videos..again many many thanks for the information you put out here much appreciated thanks.

[@RitchieStones]

@jono smith what you explained about the ribs and stomach tattoos, is kind of the situation i'm in, i'm lately asking alot more questions again but i feel like i'm about to step up my game and move barriers. since 2 months of my apprenticeship i did a text on a rib and a text on a stomach. both where absolute hell to do since i can not even get a 5 RS in there. even with my direct drive from lithuanian irons. also pushing so hard to the point where you dont see your stencil anymore is not really an option a with small text. the skin is so elastic. and it feels like there is no answer to what to do since leaving my needle out far would cause me snagging and keeping my needle more in would not make it penetrate the skin also end up riding the skin and causing me not to see where i'm going.... now i feel like coils seem to be doing better in those areas like stomach since i see videos of artists effortlessly floating over that skin area with a 14RL doing a single pass line by the touch of the needle.... so this idea of going back to the coil is getting very tempting. i just wonder why is this rotary with no give is not as powerful if not more powerful then the coil. the rotary make a full cycle in a same motion that got an old school steam train moving back in the day.... so yeah why does the coil with electro magnetic attraction of the armature does way better then this unbreakable cycle motion on a rotary? there is just this one piece of the puzzle missing making me not see the logic.

[@thegreathitsstation]

Riding the tube is a bad idea .You have to see what you are doing

[@sajejekyllhyde4647]

Hey mate, I’m having a little trouble with my needle sitting in my tube, I have one of those open tubes that came with the machine, my 5rl sits snug and doesn’t move around the tube other than its back and forth jumping motion when it’s doing it’s job, but my 5ms don’t sit in the tube, I’ve tried bending the needle, it still keeps popping out of the tube. Plus adding the rubber band just makes it worse. Do you reckon I just get tubes that close around the mouth or do you think I’m doing something wrong. I’d appreciate your advice, if you could please respond, it would be of much help. Thanks.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Hi, personally use closed tubes which will probably solve your problem. If it’s coming away whilst you’re tattooing it could be that you haven’t got enough tension on your band, or the band isn’t positioned low enough. Or it could be you’ve got too much needle hanging out the tube. Try lowering the depth a little. Other than that, just swap to closed tubes. Thanks for watching.

[@geronimojames]

Just make sure your apprentice has a car or a bicycle at least I suppose then.

[@priestsonsofwar]

Keep up the good work.

[@creedfeeder5608]

So do you ride it from the tip of the tube?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

If you chose to ride the tube then yes from the tip. Thanks for watching!

[@kennethmorris5902]

And u have the video was no pros, at all with riding it, just cons. You should of just said this is why not to ride the tube, not pros and cons. But it is a good starting point for beginners

[@littlemanhuerta4442]

How do you have control of tattoo machine I price on practice skin and fruits and some lines get shaky or when double passing it it gets off first line

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Firstly make sure you've got a nice comfortable grip on your machine. Secondly take your time with nice and fluid motions. Other than that it's a case of practice, practice, practice. Thanks for watching.

[@littlemanhuerta4442]

Jono Smith thank you for replying I like watching your videos I learn alot,I practice everyday for couple weeks now

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Yes just keep at it and you'll get there. It can take months and even years to perfect your skills so be patient with it. Good luck with it all.

[@littlemanhuerta4442]

Jono Smith thank you

[@TRPack]

Wish you could get a better video system and audio 😉

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

This video is years old now. Everything has been upgraded if you see my recent uploads.

[@gininktattoo5138]

Jono what about riding the tube for shading and colour packing. Can you make a video about that

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Riding the tube for colour packing is not as bad is it is for lining but again, in my opinion you can't get the accuracy. As for shading, I don't know how it would work because you're constantly performing brush stroke actions, so the tip of the needle is forever being swept onto and off the skin. It would probably make the shading look quite rough and choppy if you were making contact with the tip of the tube on every stroke. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@gininktattoo5138]

Thanks

[@djnitrosketch1999]

Thank You Sir ❤️

[@NobodyAtAll420]

Great video! I was afraid you were going to stab yourself by accident though. Lol

[@finestpictures2021]

Is it save to use reuseable tube?

[@Avakthefirst]

With a question like that you need to stop tattooing you fuckin ass hat

[@korilyon9056]

btw love how he doesn't tell any one how you would say you tube if you want to ride or if he did I miss it.... when ridding a tube simple pull ur a bar down set it for ur needle to just barley sticking out hears how my master use to say. just enough for if you slide your hind it will catch your glove..