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FAQ

What is a Pneumatic Tattoo Machine?
These machines have a long engineering heritage, originally the Edison Pneumatic Stencil Pen (Jun. 25th 1878) used air pressure, gas or a liquid that could turn a fan system and drive the needle assembly. Carson Hill refined or reinvented this technology as the Neuma some 7 years ago and so airhead tattooing was born – this was a stroke of genius, without a doubt. Carson continues to push this technology farther every year and we owe him a great debt of gratitude as working tattoo artists.

The function is similar to a rotary but these machines are notably different in feel and quality at the skin.

What is the advantage of the Pneumatic Tattoo Machine?
1. AUTOCLAVEABLE (intended to be sterile at point of use) 2. LIGHTWEIGHT (1.5Oz) 3. Low Trauma (less pain, faster heals) 4. Cheap disposable output line (read clip-cord) 5. Disposable Plastic grips = no cleaning, increased level of care and yet lighter than steel.
What are the disadvantages of the Keystone System?
1. No romantic nostalgia. 2. Full setup is more expensive than 2 mid range coils and an Eikon Meter since you need reliable,clinically suitable oil-free compressed air to drive the system.

If you use pneumatics and can think of a clear disadvantage please let us know.

Why should I buy a Keystone JunAir Compressor?
The KEYSTONE JunAir compressor is a handbuilt product, it is ultra-reliable and will last you a good ten years or more if properly maintained. Cheaper oil-free compressors are unreliable and are not designed for sustained daily useage. Oiled compressors are illegal for clinical use as tainted oil/swarf mixtures are carcinogenic. The Keystone line was developed by Max MacAndrews for the express purpose of providing clean, quiet air for the tattooist who is using air for the long haul.
Will I get technical support?
If you buy from Keystone, you will get Keystone support. Anyone that has dealt with us will know we leave nothing unanswered.

Having spent many months working hard to answer questions on American forums and help artists as much as possible, Keystone has a forum for its own clients. The Keystone forum is exclusive to Keystone Customers only and is a place where technical questions are answered in a timely fashion by people who know their subject and want to help. Anyone buying Setups from Keystone will automatically have access.

What if my compressor breaks down?
If your compressor is a Keystone JunAir or one of the other JunAir models bought from Keystone, you will experience quick turnaround on any technical matter. This is because Max is a qualified JunAir engineer who can repair or replace componentry for all units. ALL JunAirs bought here carry a 2 YEAR return to base warranty subject to annual maintenance inspection and JunAir terms. There is a reason why this is the only compressor I will put my name to.
What is the difference between the American and EU pneumatic systems
The principles are the same. but the main actual difference is UK Discharge Regulations and UK HSE Pressure Regulation Laws. In the same way that some American pigments are banned in the EU, some methods and engineering approaches are also banned here. This relates mainly to pressure vessel safety and air quality (ie OIL FREE). Machined oil is a cumulative carcinogen and therefore oiled compressors must never be used with this equipment.

Everything that is included in the Basic and Deluxe Setups Keystone sells is designed to fall within strict EU guidelines. For example, in the UK it is illegal to use oiled compression to drive clinical appliances (includes tattoo machines!).

If I have a problem with a machine, who will fix it?
If a machine breaks down in normal useage, we will replace it FREE OF CHARGE. Before we were shipping them for repair but now we simply replace them and we do the waiting instead!
Any reason I should not buy a pneumatic system?
If you are of low intelligence, this system is not for you. Pressurised air can be dangerous if handled without care. If you are not a careful person, you should not be tattooing.
How do I set the system up?
When you buy from Keystone you will be told all you need to know to set up safely and correctly. You will also gain access to our exclusive Technical Support forum where questions on technical matters are asked and answered.. the forum is an artists technical resource as it can be referred to any time.
What forms of payment do you accept?

We gladly accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or regular account payments all through PayPal.

How secure is this store?

This store uses PayPal for payments, and PayPal automatically encrypts your confidential information in transit from your computer to ours using the Secure Sockets Layer protocol (SSL) with an encryption key length of 128-bits (the highest level commercially available).

Do I need a PayPal account to purchase from this store?

No, you are not required to have a PayPal account to purchase from this store. Although if you already have a PayPal account you may use it.