◆ Versatile tuning. Line or shade with a retune.
Custom Combo Tattoo Machine (Workhorse)
A Koller Irons custom combo (or workhorse) is a hand-built coil machine designed to do everything reasonably well rather than one thing exceptionally well. Travis specs the frame and coils with enough headroom that the same machine can pull bold lines or lay smooth shading after a 2-minute spring swap. The right pick for traveling artists, convention work, or anyone who wants one machine to cover most of a session.
What is a custom combo / workhorse good for?
- ✓Travel and convention setups (one machine, two roles)
- ✓Apprentices and artists building their first kit
- ✓Mid-volume shops where flexibility matters
- ✓Walk-in friendly tuning
When to pick a different machine
- —Specialist work — a dedicated liner or shader will always out-perform a combo at its specific job
- —Heavy color-packing days (use a dedicated packer)
Spec & tuning
- Stroke length
- 3.5mm (middle-ground)
- Speed range
- ~95–125 CPS depending on tune
- Frame
- Coleman or custom — balanced geometry
- Coils
- 10-wrap, balanced wind
- Spring set
- Two sets included — line tune + shade tune
Combos ship with two pre-tuned spring sets so you can swap from line to shade without sending the machine back.
Travis labels each spring set so you know which is which.
FAQ
Is a combo machine worth it if I already have a liner and a shader?+
Probably not — if you already have dedicated machines for each role, a combo is a downgrade for both jobs. Combos shine when you can only travel with one or two machines and need to cover more ground.
How long does it take to swap from line tune to shade tune?+
Two minutes. Loosen the contact screw, swap the front spring, retune the contact gap. Travis includes both spring sets and labels them.
What's the difference between a combo and a workhorse?+
Same thing, different name. "Workhorse" is just shop slang for a machine you reach for first because it does most of what you need. Travis uses the names interchangeably.
Recent builds from the workshop
See more ↗A look at what’s come off Travis’s bench. Each machine is one of one — these aren’t necessarily custom combo / workhorses, just hand-built Koller Irons.
