An improvement to a tattoo machine of the type having an oscillating needle bar, a needle tube, a grip, and a needle tube support is either added to an existing tattoo machine or incorporated into the tattoo machine during manufacture. A tensioner base selectively fixable with the needle tube support comprises a support attachment and a spring support. A resilient tensioner spring is fixed with the spring support at a proximate end thereof. The tensioner spring terminates with a wheel support fixed to a distal end of the tensioner spring. The tensioner spring includes at least one curved portion between the ends, and at least two adjustment screw apertures therethrough. An adjustment screw is fixed with the tensioner spring to the spring support through the at least two adjustment screw apertures of the tensioner spring. A tensioner wheel is rotationally fixed with the wheel support of the tensioner spring.
