Workhorse Irons x Ryan Thomas!

Ryan Thomas is a prominent neo-traditional and illustrative tattoo artist based at Black 13 Tattoo Parlor in Nashville, Tennessee

Printed on Comfort Colors 1717 heavyweight t-shirts.

Made from garment-dyed ring-spun cotton with a relaxed fit and broken-in feel from day one. Comfortable enough for long days in the shop, the road, or wherever tattooing takes you.

Details

• Original artwork by Ryan Thomas
• Oversized back print
• Center Chest WHI
• Printed on Comfort Colors 1717 heavyweight t-shirts
• Garment-dyed ring-spun cotton
• Relaxed fit
• Soft-washed for a broken-in feel

Workhorse Duality Direct

Simple, reliable direct drive performance. Built to work.

Introducing the new Workhorse Duality Direct Rotary!

After more than a year of development, refinement, and real world testing with a handful of trusted tattooers, we're excited to finally release these machines.

Not a reinvention of the wheel, just a well built, smooth running direct drive designed to do exactly what it should. Lightweight, balanced, consistent, and built for years of dependable use at an affordable price.

Constructed from aerospace grade aluminum and high grade steel, these machines feature a compact bolt together frame, integrated vise slide, and rubber band hook. The binders have been moved forward to reduce clip cord pull and improve overall balance, keeping the design simple, functional, and comfortable to work with.

Rather than complicating things with an adjustable stroke mechanism, we chose to offer two dedicated versions with fixed 3.25mm and 4.25mm strokes. Many artists find a stroke they like and stick with it, so we focused on dialing in two reliable setups that are ready to work right out of the box.

Throughout testing, these machines have been in regular use by artists we know and trust, with excellent feedback and no reported issues from the prototypes.

Highlights

• Lightweight, compact bolt together frame constructed from aerospace grade aluminum and high grade steel

• Smooth, consistent direct drive performance

• Well balanced design weighing just 4.5 oz

• Forward positioned binders to reduce clip cord pull and improve balance

• Integrated vise slide and rubber band hook

• Fixed stroke design with no unnecessary adjustment mechanisms

• Available in 3.25mm and 4.25mm stroke configurations

• Compatible with standard needle on bar setups and cartridges

• Over a year of real world testing and refinement

• Built for reliable daily use at an affordable price

Specifications

• Machine Type: Direct Drive Rotary

• Frame: Aerospace Grade Aluminum and High Grade Steel

• Weight: 4.5 oz

• Operating Voltage: 4 to 10 volts for most tattooing styles and needle groupings

• Stroke Options: Fixed 3.25mm or 4.25mm

• Needle Compatibility: Standard Needle on Bar and Cartridges

• Tube Vise: Integrated Slide Vise

• Needle Bar Tension: Rubber Band Hook

• Power Connection: Clip Cord

• Manufacturing: Designed and Built in the USA

Stroke Options & Performance

3.25mm Stroke

A versatile shorter stroke that has become a favorite among our test artists for smooth shading, black and grey work, and solid color packing, including larger mag groupings. While shorter strokes have traditionally been associated with lining, our testing has shown just how capable this configuration can be for a wide range of shading and packing applications.

4.25mm Stroke

The longer stroke option has been particularly popular with artists who prefer a more pronounced stroke for lining and stipple work. Although longer strokes are often associated with shading and packing, our test artists have found this configuration especially well suited to those applications.

Both versions share the same construction and dependable direct drive design. Choosing between them comes down to personal preference, technique, and the way you like your machine to run.

Made in the USA!

Designed, built, and tested with a focus on straightforward construction, dependable performance, and long term reliability.

No unnecessary extras. Just a solid, reliable rotary designed to get the job done.

Built to last. Built to work.

Workhorse Duality Direct

Simple, reliable direct drive performance. Built to work.

Introducing the new Workhorse Duality Direct Rotary!

After more than a year of development, refinement, and real world testing with a handful of trusted tattooers, we're excited to finally release these machines.

Not a reinvention of the wheel, just a well built, smooth running direct drive designed to do exactly what it should. Lightweight, balanced, consistent, and built for years of dependable use at an affordable price.

Constructed from aerospace grade aluminum and high grade steel, these machines feature a compact bolt together frame, integrated vise slide, and rubber band hook. The binders have been moved forward to reduce clip cord pull and improve overall balance, keeping the design simple, functional, and comfortable to work with.

Rather than complicating things with an adjustable stroke mechanism, we chose to offer two dedicated versions with fixed 3.25mm and 4.25mm strokes. Many artists find a stroke they like and stick with it, so we focused on dialing in two reliable setups that are ready to work right out of the box.

Throughout testing, these machines have been in regular use by artists we know and trust, with excellent feedback and no reported issues from the prototypes.

Highlights

• Lightweight, compact bolt together frame constructed from aerospace grade aluminum and high grade steel

• Smooth, consistent direct drive performance

• Well balanced design weighing just 4.5 oz

• Forward positioned binders to reduce clip cord pull and improve balance

• Integrated vise slide and rubber band hook

• Fixed stroke design with no unnecessary adjustment mechanisms

• Available in 3.25mm and 4.25mm stroke configurations

• Compatible with standard needle on bar setups and cartridges

• Over a year of real world testing and refinement

• Built for reliable daily use at an affordable price

Specifications

• Machine Type: Direct Drive Rotary

• Frame: Aerospace Grade Aluminum and High Grade Steel

• Weight: 4.5 oz

• Operating Voltage: 4 to 10 volts for most tattooing styles and needle groupings

• Stroke Options: Fixed 3.25mm or 4.25mm

• Needle Compatibility: Standard Needle on Bar and Cartridges

• Tube Vise: Integrated Slide Vise

• Needle Bar Tension: Rubber Band Hook

• Power Connection: Clip Cord

• Manufacturing: Designed and Built in the USA

Stroke Options & Performance

3.25mm Stroke

A versatile shorter stroke that has become a favorite among our test artists for smooth shading, black and grey work, and solid color packing, including larger mag groupings. While shorter strokes have traditionally been associated with lining, our testing has shown just how capable this configuration can be for a wide range of shading and packing applications.

4.25mm Stroke

The longer stroke option has been particularly popular with artists who prefer a more pronounced stroke for lining and stipple work. Although longer strokes are often associated with shading and packing, our test artists have found this configuration especially well suited to those applications.

Both versions share the same construction and dependable direct drive design. Choosing between them comes down to personal preference, technique, and the way you like your machine to run.

Made in the USA!

Designed, built, and tested with a focus on straightforward construction, dependable performance, and long term reliability.

No unnecessary extras. Just a solid, reliable rotary designed to get the job done.

Built to last. Built to work.

Black Brass Dan Kubin V3/24 Sidewinder with EXTRA HIT and MORE POWER!

This new version is built with a solid brass weighted armature bar for even more hit and power than the standard V3/24 Sidewinder! These are for those looking to push extra large groupings or to just have a machine with lots of power and hit.

These Power Sidewinders are not for everyone, the standard version is more than enough hit for most. Especially with the new V3/24 Needle Bar Guide added, eliminating the need for a rubber band, reducing drag and improving performance. 

Highlights:

• Black Brass Frame with Black Hardware
• DK Thumbscrew, new Armature Bar, and updated Stroke Wheel for improved performance
• The renowned rotary liner.  Effortlessly sink any size line by just grazing the skin.
• The motor is the same as the  V2-V4 and V7 Sidewinder, which has proven the test of time.  It has been a favorite of the long time Sidewinder collectors.
• Vice-Lock that easily tightens on nearly any tube
• Great for all varieties of Line Work or as a Fast Shader/Packer
  
• Timing mark on the cam and frame for setting the impact screw. (Just like the V5 and V6)
• Marked stroke dial so you can easily play with the stroke without fear of losing that sweet spot. There are three lines on the stroke wheel…shortest line is for shortest stroke / smaller groupings, the 3/4 line is middle of the road for medium stroke / medium to large groupings, full line is long stroke for large grouping work. You can’t make it too long or too short, play with it and find the right setting for the work you are doing.

Machine Setup:

• Standard Needle on Bar:
  • Needle Bar Tensioner - when setting up your needle and tube, position needle tensioner in desired position depending on the amount of tension you want to add to the needle bar. Adjust position by loosening the thumbscrew and then tightening when you reach desired tension. 
  • Rubber Band alternative setup - Loosen / remove thumbscrew to take the needle tensioner off. Then when setting up the machine, wrap a thick rubber band around the motor cap and across the front of the machine to add needle bar tension. It is recommended that you use Thick Rubber Bands and Dan's Perfect Nipples. 
    
• Cartridges: wrap a rubber band around the motor cap and over the top of the armature bar to counteract the cartridge's upward tension. Thick or standard rubber bands both work, it will just depend on the tension of the cartridge membrane or band to determine with rubber band provides the proper counter resistance.

RCA Specifications:

• RCA version is wired for the harder hit mode only using RCA connection. If using a clip cord on this version, they are wired opposite of the standard clip cord version, use Positive side DOWN for hard hit, Positive up for a more muted hit.
• This RCA motor housing was designed around a Critical Universal battery pack, but fits with most battery packs I have tried, such as Musotoku, Ink Claw, and Papa.
• This will also work good with a right-angle RCA cord.
• Clip Cord option still works, it is just wired backwards.
• The position of the battery makes the machine’s balance point much more forward, like a pen.

Description:

The most significant update to the V3/24 Sidewinder is the added (and optional) Needle Bar Tensioner. This added tensioner eliminates the need to use a Rubber Band, improving all around machine performance and results. Tensioner reduces spitting and increases power. These machines can be used with or without the Tensioner, it is detached by simply removing the thumbscrew and taking it off the machine. 

Aside from the added Needle Bar Tensioner, this new version of remastered V3 Sidewinder is dialed in and updated with various improvements to increase machine longevity and consistency. 

The V3/24 follows the same concept as the past V3r, but with a focus on what makes a Sidewinder a Sidewinder.  Hard hitting, effortless, and zippy.  Intended for experienced artists who don’t want to mess around.

Made in the USA!

DK Machines sold by Workhorse are engineered and designed by Dan. Parts are milled in his authorized and trusted machine shop, then assembled by DK certified trained technicians at the Workhorse facility in Michigan. All Sidewinders go through rigorous QC checks and are all ran through our testing machine to lightly break in. One year warranty on all models. All current Sidewinders are serviced by Workhorse, some older models are serviced by Dan or one of his certified technicians found on his website.

NEW Mike Pike x Destroy Troy Halfcup Liner!

Limited edition Green x Black

Less frame, less coil, more vise for an even more forward weighted experience - this is the new slightly smaller and more compact version of the very popular collaborative Mike Pike x Destroy Troy Teacup Liner. Based off Mike Pike's Halfcup Mini Frame with Destroy Troy's alternate forward weighted chunky vise. 

These have been in the works for quite a while, but after many frame adjustments, tweaks and updates, they are dialed in and ready. Very smooth running, extremely well balanced, and sturdy, these forward weighted machines are finely tuned and built for years of trouble free use.

Highlights:

• Thick Aerospace 7075 Aluminum Frame with various updates to help with overall long-term strength and vibration reduction
• Chunky Jonesy Style Steel Vise designed to keep more weight over your hand to help balance the pull of your clip cord and reduce hand fatigue
• Blackened Destroy Troy Warp Drive Cray Bar with added weight on the front end
• Custom 1" 8 Wrap Coils 
  
• Green Anodized Aluminum Frame
• Blackened Steel Destroy Troy Forward-Weighted Guillotine Vise
  
• Deluxe Blackened / Nickel Plated Hardware
  
• Blackened Spring Shelf Yoke for Superior Connectivity
• Pure Copper Contact Screw
  
• Stainless Springs

Specifications:

• Medium Speed with a Solid Hit
• Running around 135-140 Hz Unloaded at 6.5V
• Great for use with 3s to 9s, turn up for 11s
• 7.5 oz Forward Weighted Machine

Made in the USA

NEW Mike Pike x Destroy Troy Halfcup Liner!

Limited edition Black x Black

Less frame, less coil, more vise for an even more forward weighted experience - this is the new slightly smaller and more compact version of the very popular collaborative Mike Pike x Destroy Troy Teacup Liner. Based off Mike Pike's Halfcup Mini Frame with Destroy Troy's alternate forward weighted chunky vise. 

These have been in the works for quite a while, but after many frame adjustments, tweaks and updates, they are dialed in and ready. Very smooth running, extremely well balanced, and sturdy, these forward weighted machines are finely tuned and built for years of trouble free use.

Highlights:

• Thick Aerospace 7075 Aluminum Frame with various updates to help with overall long-term strength and vibration reduction
• Chunky Jonesy Style Steel Vise designed to keep more weight over your hand to help balance the pull of your clip cord and reduce hand fatigue
• Blackened Destroy Troy Warp Drive Cray Bar with added weight on the front end
• Custom 1" 8 Wrap Coils 
  
• Black Anodized Aluminum Frame
• Blackened Steel Destroy Troy Forward-Weighted Guillotine Vise
  
• Deluxe Blackened / Nickel Plated Hardware
  
• Blackened Spring Shelf Yoke for Superior Connectivity
• Pure Copper Contact Screw
  
• Stainless Springs

Specifications:

• Medium Speed with a Solid Hit
• Running around 135-140 Hz Unloaded at 6.5V
• Great for use with 3s to 9s, turn up for 11s
• 7.5 oz Forward Weighted Machine

Made in the USA

Limited SOBA Boomerang Liner

Limited Sparkle Raspberry finish

CNC Milled version of SOBA's braze-up and bolt-up Boomerang, streamlined into a one piece frame with very versatile swing gate vise. These are finely tuned. With no load most of them run in the 140hz range. At 6 volts you will get smooth medium to fine lines- think 05 and 08 microns. At 7.5 they will bury a straight 9- think brand new sharpie.

Highlights:

• CNC Cut Ductile Iron Frame 
  
• Drilled Out and Lightened Upright 
  
• Custom Sparkle Raspberry Powder Coat Finish
• Swing Gate Vise with and Internal Spring for ease of use
  
• Deluxe Blackened Hardware
  
• Deluxe 1" 8 Wrap Custom Purple Coils

Specifications:

• Medium Quick Speed with a Solid Hit 
  
• Great for Smaller to Medium Sized Groupings
  
• Pushing 3's to 9's easy, turn up a little for 11's
  
• Running 140-145 Hz @ 6.5 V Unloaded
  
• Weighs 6.8 oz
  

Made in the USA

Limited Mike Pike x Cory Rogers Linear Rotary!

Special Edition Raspberry Pink with GOOD OMEN COBRA artwork by Julia Campione of Good Omen Tattoo!

Built and designed by Cory Rogers and Mike Pike, these collaborative linear rotary machines are smooth running, consistent, and built with only the finest components to ensure years of problem free use. 

Highlights:

• Raw precision milled high-grade Aerospace Aluminum body 
  
• Custom Pink Hard Anodized Components 
• Custom Good Omen Cobra Etching by Julia Campione
• Blackened Deluxe Hardware
• Powered by a top of the line Maxon motor described by Mike Pike to be the "best motor he has ever used in a rotary"
• Comfortable and well balanced with a tube vice that will bite and hold all disposable and stainless tubes
• Forward facing wingnut that won't ride your hand or get in your way

Specifications:

• 4 mm stroke that works great for color packing, shading and also large groupings lining
• Pushes 5 to 49 mag and 9 to 18 Rounds no problem
• Runs best anywhere between 5 and 10 volts
• Most are lining between 8-10 Volts for larger groupings, 5-9 volts for color packing and B&G work
• Great with Needle on Bar or Cartridges
• Lightweight weighing in at a mere 4.5 oz

Made with love in the USA

Thanks and enjoy,
Mike & Cory

Limited Destroy Troy Franklin Liner!

After years of discussing, chipping away, and working on this project; Destroy Troy has resurrected Marv Lerning's Franklin tattoo machine and made it his own! Some serious frame adjustments altering the vise and moving the weight forward over the hand, multiple tweaks and updates, they are now dialed in and ready. Very smooth running, extremely well balanced, and sturdy, these forward weighted machines are finely tuned and built for years of trouble free use.

Highlights:

• Precision Milled Iron Frame
  
• Over-sized Hammer Head Vise designed to keep more weight over your hand to help balance the pull of your clip cord and reduce hand fatigue
• Highly Versatile Vise that can be used with a Left or Right Handed setup!
  
• Custom Hand Wound Coils with Black Prism Coil Tape
• Custom Illusion Khaki, Sea-foam Green, and Lilac Powder Coat
  
• Deluxe Hardware
  
• Specialty Stainless Steel Springs that will not corrode
  

Specifications:

• Medium Speed with a Solid Hit
• Running around 135-140 Hz Unloaded at 6.5V
• Great for use with 5s to 11s
• 7.5 oz Forward Weighted Machine
  

Made in the USA

Description

Features

Benefits

Compostability / Biodegradability

Certifications

Workhorse Iron's Middleweight Weiner Dog Liner 2.2! 

Previously produced by Seth Ciferri, the MW Weiner Dog Liner has the same geometry and size as the lightweight version, but with a beefier base and spring shelf providing more power but still keeping the weight under 6 ounces! Now being produced by Workhorse Irons.

NOW WITH A SPRING LOADED SWING-GATE VISE

Highlights:

• CNC Machined Iron Frame 
  
• Deluxe Black Zinc Finish
  
• Swing-Gate Vise Guaranteed to Lock Tight on Any Tube
  
• Deluxe Black Seth Hardware and Workhorse Coin Thumbscrew
  
• 1" 8 Wrap Taped Coils Plus Capacitor Strap

Specifications:

• Medium Speed with a Hard Hit To push Larger Groupings
  
• Running 130-135 Hz @ 6 V Unloaded
  
• Pushing Loose 5's to 14's Easy
  
• Weighs 5.95 oz
  

Made in the USA

SOBA B&G Race Horse Shader

New Limited Run of B&G Race Horse Shaders machined from Lightweight Aerospace Aluminum with Swing Gate Vises guaranteed to lock tight on any tube! These machines are setup and designed to run quicker and lighter, great for building up layers, doing color blends and portrait work.

Highlights:

• BLUE Anodized and Laser Etched Featherweight Aluminum Frame
  
• Swing Gate Vise guaranteed to lock tight
  
• Deluxe Black Hardware
  
• 8 Wrap 1" Custom Fish Scale Coils

Specifications:

• Super Smooth for B&G, Soft and Quick for Building Layers
  
• 115-120 Hz at 6.5 V unloaded
  
• Weighs 5.4 oz
  

Made in the USA

Dan Kubin X Adam Ciferri Ghost Dog Revival V2!

Updated and improved version of the DK x AC Ghost Dog Revival. V2 features an upgraded slide vise guaranteed to easily work with any and all tubes, PLUS an opened up geometry for better function, performance, and power. Everything else is the same, just dialed in a little more to make it a little better :)

Highlights:

• CNC Iron Frame designed in collaboration by Dan Kubin and Adam Ciferri
• CNC Cut Iron with the highest precision and care for superior conductivity
• Hinge / Compression machine functionality eliminating any rear spring issues or breakage
• Mini-Size frame with Custom AC x DK 1" Keg Coil for a larger range and less amperage
• Custom Rubbed Bronze Plated Frame
• Deluxe DK 24k Gold Plated Hardware

Specifications:

• Tuned for all-day, every-day street shop and/or custom tattooing
• Medium speed with enough hit to push 3's to 14's no problem
• Runs 125-130 Hz @ 6 Volts Unloaded, crank up to 9-10 Volts for large groupings
• Weighs 6 oz
  

Machine Setup:

• Machine comes setup for use as a slow or medium speed Liner. Also works well as a quick Shader if you turn down the volts a little. To easily change to a slow and punchy color packer, simply remove the backer spring under the front spring.
• Standard Needle on Bar: standard coil machine set up. Work well with our Thick Rubber Bands and Dan's Perfect Nipples, but also work with standard nipples/grommets.
• Cartridges: possible, but not highly recommended.

Made in the USA

"Since working with Workhorse Irons, I have been given the opportunity to remaster my Revival machine, but being able to merge it into the platform of Adam Ciferri’s Ghostdog.

Thanks - Dan.