...best way to sterilize homemade tattoo needles...

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Answer by BLUZBAK
Submitted on 9/15/2004
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With over 20 years experience and over 10,000 tats under my belt servicing an area of over 2 million, not once, ever did I get one complaint or even a threat of lawsuit. In 1983/84 when the AIDS scare hit, the idea of using new needles every time came up, followed by all kinds of controversy. I have always re-sterilized my equipment as taught by my master in 1974. As long as the needle grouping is not blunted and all points are sharp these bars can be used again. Autoclaving of the needles can cause corrosion whereas dry heat contains no steam. Health critics agree that at 325 degrees at 30 minutes will sufficiently kill all bacteria. Before sterilizing, all equipment is properly chemically cleaned. By being professional never would a dull needle ever be used but definitely sterilized.

Answer by Larren
Submitted on 8/28/2005
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The only way to sterilize is with an autoclave, however if you insist on using homemade needles at least get a stovetop pressure cooker, put some shot glasses upside down in it, fill with water till its just below the glasses. Then place your needles on top of the glasses. When it starts boiling time it for 35 to 45 minutes. This is basically all an autoclave does. But an autoclave usually has a sensor to ensure it maintains the proper heat and pressure for the required time. But if at all possible just buy some pre sterilized new needles and disposable tubes,use them once then dispose. try this site for supplies, they sell to the public and have fair prices http://www.artistictattooz.com/store

Answer by LD's Tattoos
Submitted on 10/8/2006
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<center><font color=teal>ok, when i was using a homemade gun, i was using a #2 guitar string. after i sharpened the "needle" i would boil it in water for about 15 minutes. then i would rub the whole needle with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol, put the needle in the gun, and turn it on med. power. hold the gun over a trash can or sink or something and while the gun is buzzin, pour rubbing alcohol on the tip. whatever you do, don't pour it down your barrel. the alcohol with collect in your receiving tube and dilute the ink. <h1>do not pour rubbing alcohol on a fresh tattoo. it will cause a permanent blotch of color behind the tattoo and it will look like a bruise. FOREVER.</h1> yours courteously, Little Debbie, LD's Tattoos

Answer by Beef McHardpec
Submitted on 6/16/2007
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Really, you should buy some needles. If you want to re-use the needles you have PURCHASED (don't use home made needles, and put together a machine that uses disposable tubes for chrissake) you can set up a makeshift autoclave by using a pressure cooker. You'll find pressure cookers at your friendly neighborhood Target, Wal-mart, or whatever. Put the pressure cooker on your stove and crank that sucker up to 121 degrees Celsius (249.8 degrees Fahrenheit for the less scientifically minded). This is the temperature at which autoclaves are required to function by the CDC. If your stove won't get that high, don't even bother re-useing the needles - buy more and dispose of them. A big pack of needles costs from $20 to $80 depending on needle size. You'll also want to get bars and soldier the needles on to them. You can get soldier and burning irons at Radioshack. Irons are $35ish, soldier is $5ish. OR you could stop being a cheapskate and order a $100 complete tattoo kit from someone. Just google bargain tattoo kit, you'll find several. Still need tubes, needles, and bars though. It's a hell-of-a-lot easier than working with homemade crap. I started tattooing on pig carcass using a homemade machine. When I got a cheap kit and did my first self-tat it was WAY easy by comparison.

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Question by atraidies555
Submitted on 4/21/2004
Related FAQ: rec.arts.bodyart: Tattoo FAQ 9/9--Bibliography
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what is the best way to sterilize homemade tattoo needles without an autoclave or ultra sonic machine?

Answer by mark
Submitted on 5/7/2004
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there is none. those two devices make it steril.

Answer by Jeffmezzanotte@imneverwrong.com
Submitted on 5/8/2004
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use desposables....

Answer by Sktrden
Submitted on 5/11/2004
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You're a hack... spend the three dollars

Answer by Loc
Submitted on 6/7/2004
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Burn the needle.

Answer by chizlpic
Submitted on 6/13/2004
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dry heat and use only new stuff and NEVER REUSE NEEDELS BE RESPONSIBLE

Answer by gay arty
Submitted on 6/17/2004
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bleach but not for too long because it starts to corrode the needles eventually

Answer by pencils
Submitted on 6/22/2004
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if u feel that u have 2 reuse a needle then u aren't making enough $ and u shouldn't be doing tattoos

Answer by larry
Submitted on 7/7/2004
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ive been tattooing for 13 years....not the best but,pretty damn good...if you dont have the proper equip.then you shouldnt be tattin.as for the bleach idea..that persons an idiot...bleach couses all metels to rust..im tired of fixin hack jobs from people like that....

Answer by DeViL_MaChInE
Submitted on 7/13/2004
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Larry is correct...

Answer by Crovian
Submitted on 9/4/2004
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what the ** you tattooing elitist are telling me that if you **en boil the tattoo needle in bleach and water light it on fire and boil it again that wont kill every thing that could possibly be on that needle. Where do you buy your crack at?

Answer by andy the inkman
Submitted on 9/24/2004
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put it in alcohol for a little bit and then in boiling water. with clean hands pour the water onto a heavy duty paper towel slowly. set it down, put on your gloves dry the needle and wipe with an alcohol pad.

Answer by buster
Submitted on 10/16/2004
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if your scratching on someone and don't know what your doing...buy grapefruit or get on ebay and buy the fake skin and practice..NEVER, I MEAN NEVER REUSE A NEEDLE. larry is right, and another thing i do is when i am finished with a tattoo, i take the needle and cut the tip off of it into a sharpie container...just my .03 cents

Answer by ricky
Submitted on 10/26/2004
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use a pressure cooker

Answer by Danielle
Submitted on 11/9/2004
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NEvER EvER EVER EVER E V E R use Bleach. WHAT THE FUKK is your god damn problem You sick bastard. DONT USE BLEACH EVER. T R U S T M E!!! ALWAYS burn The needle... no matter what ur usin'... you Always gotta burn the needle.

Answer by rob Ftw tatts
Submitted on 11/13/2004
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THE NEW NEEDLES ARE MOSTLY STAINLESS (GOOD ONES) DELUTE 3 oz of bleach / 32oz water for12 hours bleach will not harm stainless steel, if deluted same as bensachoride

Answer by rob Ftw tatts
Submitted on 11/13/2004
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THE NEW NEEDLES ARE MOSTLY STAINLESS (GOOD ONES) DELUTE 3 oz of bleach / 32oz water for12 hours bleach will not harm stainless st eel, if deluted same as bensachoride watch out remember all neddles will dull so if you re use try tooth picks same result theyare cheap ....no fine lines ...

Answer by MISFIT
Submitted on 4/17/2005
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WHEN EVER USING A HOME MADEGUN BE SMART ABOUT WHAT YOUR DOIN KEEP EVERY THING CLEAN.IVE BEEN DOING TAT'SFOR 6 YEARS.I'M ALWAYS ON TOP OF MY JOB.

Answer by DUMB ANSWERS
Submitted on 6/2/2005
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ALL THE COMMENTS GIVEN WERE USELESS I GUESS NOBODY KNEW THE ANSWER

Answer by dudster
Submitted on 1/20/2005
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reused needles??? come on...... be a responsible tattoo artist dude!!!!

Answer by metal666
Submitted on 1/21/2005
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u should try boiling in water and then rubbing down with alchohol....www.heavymetal666.tk

Answer by gato
Submitted on 2/9/2005
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Just Burn the needles and put some alcohol on it

Answer by hallowed angel
Submitted on 2/16/2005
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how deep should u gage the needle 4 a home job?

Answer by evilslim
Submitted on 4/8/2005
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Go Disposable, Never reuse anything but your Machine! Bleach? Are you Crazy!If you cant afford to get a sterilizer than you should not be messing with peoples lives.This is a permanent art form,It can make or Break a persons Life.Please STOP doing Tattoos until you get the right equipment.God help us all.

Answer by tattoo ''mitch''
Submitted on 5/14/2005
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dude only use new needles use ultra sonic cleaner or a stericlave

Answer by ur pimp mamma stuff (edna's frend)
Submitted on 5/16/2005
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burn it, then boil it then soak it in rubbing alcohol

Answer by erin
Submitted on 7/13/2005
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yup yup just don't do it

Answer by xorn000
Submitted on 8/13/2005
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Don't burn it wither...there will be carbon on the surface and can actually help make the site become infected....so..no putting the needle in the flame. I bought a tattoo kit and you need to have training to even get a half good tattoo...jsut go to a pro...that's why they are there

Answer by ssder
Submitted on 8/19/2005
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burn the needle and then boil it for a limited amount of time

Answer by BARONMETUS
Submitted on 10/15/2005
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I'AM TRYING TO GET INTO TATTOOING IN OREGON, AND AM FINDING ALL OF THE LEGAL ISSUES(WHAT A PAIN IN THE BUT)THOUGH THE MEDICAL REASONING BEHIND IT IS GOOD. NEVER REUSE A NEEDLE WITHOUT USING AN AUTOCLAVE OR ULTRA SONIC!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer by PurpleLeprehcaun
Submitted on 10/21/2005
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What you do is burn the needle,then soke it in alcohol for about 30 minutes. After every jab stick it back in the alcohol.

Answer by slipknot fan 666
Submitted on 11/1/2005
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bleachin' is 4 dumbasses.dip it in peroxide then let it drip dry then heat it up with a lighter and re-dip it in peroxide. REPEAT 2x

Answer by soljurboy45
Submitted on 12/6/2005
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i also agree with larry

Answer by Big$moke
Submitted on 12/23/2005
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don't be stupid. use new needles

Answer by Aries
Submitted on 3/24/2006
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You should be able to buy 100 needles for the price of one CHEAP (usually) tattoo ($50.) It's not neccessary to reuse at these prices. When I received my first tat I didn't like it. To have it changed I had to pay $40 just for the equipment to be used. A needle is far less valuable than your health and the health of your clients. Just buy new needles or a sterilizer, it's worth the investment!

Answer by 01
Submitted on 4/10/2006
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You can get a stovetop presher cooker.I`t needs to be atleast 250.degrees for 30-40 min.

Answer by jack
Submitted on 4/20/2006
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All y'all is wack and shouldn't say stuff if it don't work and say only stuffs that do man

Answer by Reubzilla
Submitted on 6/4/2006
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Idiot............................................................

Answer by marko the tat man
Submitted on 7/17/2006
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i've only been doin tatts for a couple of months now and if i havent got new needles i won't tattoo same as anybody else that puts a neddle into anyone REMEMBER DIRTY NEEDLES CARRIES VIRUSIS no matter how well u steralize them