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Actually lately I have been using Traditional Coil tattoo machines more than I ever have.It's the whole compressor issue that is a bummer with Neumas,especially for me that I travel so often, and I'm done traveling with a compressor,it's just to much. There is the option of using the Hybrid with the motor but I haven't been diggin that so much lately, I much rather use the Hyper Stigma if I'm going to use a rotary type machine. And i Know on some of my other forum messages i seem flip flop on what i like or dont like,but it's all trial and error,and it's all part of growing. But the Hyper Stigma is a good solid consistent machine.I have been using the Hyper alot lately,it's been between coils and the hyper that i have been going back and forth on.I have put down the Neuma till i have tried these other machines for a good period of time to figure things out,but to answer the rest of your question,when I run coils,i'll set it up to hit somewhat soft and turn it down so I can still layer to get smoother blends if i want to, or turn it up if i need to pack it in. Hope this helps you out.

Wow it surprices me a little to see that you are moving away from neumas. I mean it´s what you been pushing for since day one if i get your book right. In my opinion I do like the hybrid and the n2 very much, but I´m not all against coils either. I guess when you get to the level of fame that you have you can pretty much choose what you like, the companys making machines probably gives you alot just to hope you will use them. For us mortals i recon it´s harder to switch back and forth between becouse of the cost. I see a lot of people moving away lately from neumas, if you read the forums out there or watch ebay, do you think there is a reason for that?

why dont you always packing color?why do you blending?
my mentor said that the blending color go away with years

There are so many ways to look at what is actually right about tattoos holding up over time,the bottom line is and I'm sorry to say but we all die,so we don't need to have them last for eternity,it's not an oil painting that you want it to last thousands of years,so technically we need a tattoo to stay looking good for only 50-70 years(give or take),now are black lines going to do the trick?Packing in the color deep in the skin gonna do it?Not layering as much?Every tattoo that I've seen that is 60 years old,now how could i say this nicely...they dont look like they did years back, no matter how it was tattooed. But someone could argue the fact that the ink is better now a days or the process and needles are different. But skin is skin and there is gonna be some wear and tear over the years,i honestly think that a chunk of black background or a really dark chunk(shape) of color holding something in place will hold up better than a line,now im probably gonna get shit for saying these things because traditional guys honestly believe that a line will do the trick.But lines expand and tend to not look so hot over time. And i dont think the art should be sacrificed because there needs to be a line holding something in place, granite alot of artwork needs lines for the look of it and to capture what the artist is trying to say, and i have a great appreciation for all types of tattoos ,with or without lines,but if the values are correct in the piece,meaning you have a good range of dark to light tones,it should be fine no matter how it was tattooed,whether you use a coil,neuma,etc.
If you compare my tattoos that i'm doing now a days compared to the way they looked just two years ago,you will notice Im using a lot more black and dark shades in my work,now that is my solution to pieces holding up over time.If you blend and layer a piece of skin as long as it heals good and its saturated just as good as if if were packed in with one solid color it should be the same right?My problem with neuma was to get the color packed in good enough to have these bold results,which ultimately helps with the time line as well,and the compressor is no bueno to travel with.I'm sure I'll use Neuma here and there if the piece calls for it,i think each tattoo should be approached differently depending on the color of the skin,type of skin,and type of tattoo you are doing,so i think its good having an array of machines to choose from. Machines are not cheap and i dont get all of them for free,i do buy alot of machines. But i think its part of our job to use different things and always educate ourselves on the different machines that are available.I dont know any tattoo artists that only has 3 or 4 tattoo machines to there name,most that i know have at least 10-15 if not many more. Time will tell on this style on how they look over the years but from what iv'e seen so far is they are doing just fine.