How big are normal tattoo needles?
http://tattoo.about.com/library/blglosta… Examples: Needles can be made in groups of 3, 5, 7 or more, depending on what the artist is comfortable with and what the design calls for. Occasionally, a single needle can be used for fine lining, but this is not very common. The sharps are soldered to a needle bar, and the bar is placed in the tattoo machine through a tube. Needle groups also come in different shapes such as round (for lining) and flat (for shading). Tattoo Machine (Tattoo Gun): This is the tool that artists use to make the tattoo. The modern western tattoo machine works through two electromagnets driving a spring-loaded reciprocating needle assembly. This assembly penetrates the skin about 6000 times per minute, implanting the ink 1/16th of an inch below the surface. In some cultures (e.g., Traditional Japanese Tattooing) a tattoo machine is not used–instead, the ink is implanted underneath
