The present invention discloses a tattoo machine floating collet apparatus and system comprising a vise receiver, a vise knob, and a vise collet that are configured to receive a tattoo machine grip backstem. These components are configured as follows: vise collet is mechanically captured between the vise receiver and the vise knob such that as the vise knob is tightened onto the vise receiver the collet tightens around an inserted tattoo machine grip backstem. The invention can be used to provide a quick, easy, and sanitary apparatus for tattoo artists to use multiple grips and needle cartridges with the same tattoo machine.