Black and grey tattoo of a cross made from engine pistons and connecting rods, shown across the upper back.

Piston and connecting rod cross on back

Back · Black and grey · Photo

A cross is formed from four engine pistons joined to a central ring, with connecting rods forming the arms. The pistons and rods are drawn with shaded greys, highlights and dark outlines to give them a metallic look. The design is centred on a plain, lightly freckled area of upper back, with the top of the neck and hair at the edges of the frame.

Find an artist for this

Take it to an artist as a reference. A good artist will make it yours rather than copy someone else's tattoo.

A story inspired by this tattoo · fiction

Dear Ruthie,

Keep reading

The Constance went out again on Monday, if you can believe it, and she came back on Tuesday with her crankcase still in one piece, which is more than anyone expected. Harry Tolley has been telling the quay it was the new rings, but I know a seized bore when I hear one. I stripped the number three cylinder on the slip with the tide out and found the piston scored like a plate somebody dragged across a yard. Four of them were in the same state by the time I'd finished. You don't argue with four.

I've kept the old pistons, all four, and the big ring they sat around. Your mother used to say I'd die in the shed with grease up to my elbows and she'd be right. Last Thursday I set the rods out on the bench the way they'd sit in the block, and they made a cross without my meaning them to. Pardoe's boy came by with his camera phone and wanted a picture for the harbour page. I told him to clear off.

I'm writing because the owners want her back in the water by the spring tides and they've offered me the job of fitting the new liners, and I said I'd only do it if you came down to hold the torch. You're better with the gauge than I am now. Your eyes are younger.

Bring your own coat. The wind off the mole has got worse since you went north.

Love, Dad

More like this

Black and grey ornate cross tattoo with scrollwork arms and a flower motif at the centre, shown on the back.
Ornate cross on the back
Black and grey ornate cross tattoo with scrollwork and the words Destemido and Sobrevivíente, shown on a person's upper back near the shoulder blade.
Ornate cross with lettering on upper back
Realism black and grey tattoo of a wrapped nail cross with a John 3:16 band on the upper arm, near the shoulder.
Nail cross tattoo on upper arm
Black and grey gothic cross tattoo with an outlined, shaded fill on the back of a neck, with brown hair visible above it.
Gothic cross on the back of the neck
Black and grey tattoo of a cross with flame-like tribal linework on a limb.
Black and grey cross with flame details
Black and grey realism tattoo of a cracked stone-effect cross on the upper arm.
Cracked stone cross on an upper arm
Black and grey Celtic cross with interlaced knotwork and shaded angel wings across the upper back.
Celtic cross with angel wings on upper back
A shaded cross tattoo styled as a worn baseball with red stitching, on the upper back near the shoulder blade.
Baseball-stitched cross on upper back
Black and grey Celtic cross with knotwork detail on the inner forearm of a person wearing a red top and plaid shorts.
Celtic cross on a forearm
Black and grey realism tattoo of a cross with cracked edges on the upper back, shoulder blade area.
Cracked cross on upper back
Black and grey realism tattoo of an ornate cross with wood-grain shading and rivet details, sitting on the upper arm.
Wood-grain cross on upper arm
Black and grey Celtic cross tattoo with interlace knotwork, a ring and a purple gem at the centre, on the upper back of a person seen from behind.
Celtic cross with purple gem on upper back

From the plentytattoo archive, uploaded by a user. Is this your work? Ask for credit or removal.