Just like any other profession needs to be familiar with their tools tattooist need to be familiar with their machines. Nothing is worse then when a machine breaks down in the middle of a tattoo. Here your on a roll and all of the sudden a back spring breaks or capacitor goes out. Machine maintenance is often one of the least taught to new apprentices. Now a days it's easy to go onto ebay and just buy a bunch of machines every time one breaks down. This is a scratchers way of doing things. A professional will have a tool kit on hand consisting of extra coils, springs, contact posts, o-rings and even extra frames in case a machine needs to be totally rebuilt from the bottom up.
Many artist have their choice and preference on what type of machines to use. Aberration Tattoo Artist usually prefer the coil machine. These machines have been old reliable for over a hundred years. They have plenty of surplus parts- they are the easiest to break down and get going again. Other machines can cost hundreds of dollars more and basically do the same thing. I was asked by one of the apprentices which one I prefer. I've always been found of the Mickey Sharpz Tattoo Machines. They are unbelievable in quality and craftsmanship. They are balanced and run very smoothly on the skin. Only skilled artist should use them since they are very interesting to tune once out of balance.
As apprentices we usually recommend that they just get a set of good irons. Any brand is fine but we want them to stay away from the cheap machines that are brought in from China. The coils are never any good, the frames crack easy and the lines pulled are never any good. Many scratchers use these machines and many of them wonder why tattoos never come out right. The tools of the trade is one of the most important aspects of the craft. A difference in keep hand tools compared to Snap-On tools-same goes with the machines we use in the business.
So as anyone in the business getting started. U don't have to spend huge amounts for equipment. You don't have to have the best of the best. You do need reliable and solid equipment. This includes your power supplies, inks, grips and so on. Shop around- many supply companies are good on the Internet. Due diligence is your responsibility in choosing your equipment as well as maintaining and tuning it to have it help you do the best that you can.