A Cheap But Impressive Hobby CNC Router Machine: Two Trees TTC450 Review 

How much w does it cost

A what A out delivery date

What is the cost ?

I just put mine together, turn it on and attempt to home it and it goes into negative numbers. Two Trees is unavailable for support, have you heard of this issue before?

DISCOUNT CODE NBTTC DOES NOT WORK!

Could be faster even with the stock spindle, I just used the presets in Easel which are conservative benchmarks for safely starting out with (according to Easel - see exclamation in cut settings tab). Processing time would be reduced a lot more with the 1.5 kW spindle or a Makita trim router (+$150 in cost). How fast it removes material will depend mostly on how much hp the spindle has and the bit being used. If the spindle can't remove material faster than the x and y axis motors can move then it'll just chatter and jam. Optimal feed rates and doc will always take some experimenting with a new machine, especially for a newb. At least, that's been my experience with printers and lasers.

@@JamesBiggar ah, thanks again. Ive really only used manual plunge routers and 3d printers. that also makes a threaded drive and the small nema's make more sense now.,,,

I've had a kit with Nema 23's for a larger custom machine sitting in a box on a shelf for years. Too intimidated to put it together. But that'll change soon. Thanks Daryl, great to hear from you again!

Thanks!

Hope you enjoy it! If you're a noob like me then be sure to read through the comments from other viewers for some tips on how to use it more efficiently 👍

I got the 500 watt upgrade but I'm still waiting for the CNC. It seems to upgrade part came first but I can't track where the CNC is ​@@JamesBiggar

Did you receive the machine yet? How's it going?

@@ALCRAN2010 (the silence of the learning curve)

Hows the machine working?

small belt NOT used any cnc machine, only ballscrew or pinion rails.

Good evening. How was your experience with it so far? I've been thinking about buying it to cut plastic boards as well.

Hey Charles!

Hey Charles! :P

beeswax works even better.

@@RudyVandenbelt worked as a toolmaker for many years and always used paraffin for machining aluminium - never heard of beeswax being used - interesting thanks.

WIth all these lightweight machines, using trochoidal or vortex milling for aluminum or brass can't be recommended enough. Estlcam offers this option. Will save you $$$ in milling tip currency.

If it can cut 3/4 ply, it can easily cut 2mm acrylic. You may need to use a double stick adhesive and a backer to keep small pieces from flying out when the cut is complete.

The ttc450 can engrave aluminum, but I'm not sure how long the v wheels will hold up and maintain accuracy. I think it's better for just wood and plastics for long term use. Check this one out: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-l5CVuSz4Ifk.html

Theres a 3d printable CNC made by Ivan Miranda. He has files for the device.

You would need a few more things. Marble would need cooling for the tool. So you would also need to replace the spoil board with something plastic. As the mdf would get ruined. Would also have to make sure all the connections get some splash protection. Would also need diamond tip tools.

you would probably want a faster spinning spindle with a diamond bit

🤷‍♂️ All I know is that it does what I need it to do. Normally, my tolerances as a carpenter/woodworker are a bit higher given the limits of conventional measuring and cutting tools lol. If I needed to cnc a part for an engine or something, that would be a different story. But as happy as I am with it (as a newb), it's still just a hobby machine at the end of the day. A good starting point to learn and get some experience, but I don't expect perfection from it.

Work area is 18"x18"x3.15"

Followed the instructions to align them. Back the supports up until one hits the back of the frame, disconnect that support and motor, use the controls to move the other motor until the other support hits the frame, reconnect. Or use a measuring tape. No need to split hairs here. The motors move in sync whether the gantry supports are aligned or not - they're wired together.

I assume it could be compatible with FluidNC given that it uses an ESP32 grbl controller, but there's no mention of it in the specs. I would just stick with the firmware that's installed. As mentioned in the video, you need a g-code sender to send a g-code to the machine if you don't work exclusively offline through the terminal and sd card. A g-code sender is software designed to control a cnc machine. There's loads of free software to do this, like Candle and UGS (both provided with the machine - I demonstrated Candle in the video). But before you can import a g-code to the machine, you need to create it first. That's why I like Easel. It's an all in one software that allows you to design/draw your project in 2D and from that it creates a 3D model for reference as well as a g-code that you can either use through Easel to control the machine as shown in the video, or export it via sd card to use through the offline terminal, or export it to a g-code sender like Candle instead. But this machine has become a little sloppy since this upload due to the v-wheels and their placement. Twin v-wheels with a wide span or linear rails are better. Check out my channel for other options.

Wow thanks so much for your comprehensive reply! I plan to make my g-code manually using a python script (long story). Would a g-code sender still be able to send the .NC file across? Do you know how that would work? Or would I be forced to just load it manually offline using the SD card?

Like the cutting oil that I used...

They actually sell a 10W diode laser module to swap with the spindle for laser engraving. I should've mentioned that in the video.

@@JamesBiggar "They actually sell a 10W diode laser module to swap with the spindle for laser engraving." Thanks for the info, that is interesting.

Sorry, I've never tried any sort of stone before, but I think a couple of people were talking about it in the comments. They might be able to answer your question.

I will say that having v-wheels does mean it's not as sturdy as other designs. It can machine aluminum but I wouldn't expect the wheels to last for long under a lot of load like that. For hard materials like stone, you might be better off checking out some of the other machines that I've reviewed.

Thanks. It's not :)

I just pressed start. If I can run my router into overtime, then I should be able to run a cnc spindle into overtime or it gets replaced with a router.

...bear in mind that 15 hours involved two separate processes done on two separate days. Watch the video carefully. Easel generates separate g-codes for roughing and finishing a 3d engraving. Regardless, cooling fans are always designed to suit the motor they're supposed to cool in normal operating conditions. The motor temp isn't going to change much (if at all) from 30 minutes into a job vs 10 hrs into a job. The cooling fan should be managing it fine as long as the spindle isn't being overloaded. If it is, then internal temperature increases accordingly. If it exceeds the coil insulation rating (at least 150C), then it will melt and short the windings. If your spindle temp increases uncontrollably without any change to its environment, then replace it or reevaluate how you're using it. That shouldn't be happening regardless what motor you're using in any type of machine.

Haven't used the 4040 to say. I'll be reviewing the 4030 V2 very soon though.

Technically no. SD cards are twice the size. TF = MicroSD. TF was the term used before SanDisk Association standardized the micro format and rebranded it as MicroSD. Some (generic) manufacturers still brand them as TF cards, others call them by the newer term. Ultimately there's no difference. Tomato, tomato.

Metal. No cnc machine is made of plastic.

500 watts * 15 hrs = 7500 watthours. Local utility rate is ~13¢/kWh, avg in US/Canada is 16¢/kWh. 7.5 kWh * 0.16 = $1.20. ~$55/m to run 24/7, 7 days a week. That's assuming that a person doesn't have an off grid system like mine (I design/build wind and solar energy equipment). I sold that fish for $40. Speaking as a 25 year journeyman, if a person can't recoup the cost to buy and operate tools of any kind in either personal benefit or commercial value, then they're doing something wrong.

@@darkwinter7395 what exactly makes a plasma cutter "cnc compatible"? is it just the straight torch or the duty cycle or something else?

Yes, it could with some mods. I'm currently building a table for my plasma. I'll be making a bigger one afterward & the small one will become a router for small signs

I'm building a plasma table now. It uses all of the same components as this. (it's a small one) as long as the electronics are shielded, bonded & the workpiece is separately grounded it's not a problem.@@darkwinter7395

Simple math if you have basic knowledge in electronics and how your utility co. charges you. Assuming the machine (120W) and spindle (500w) are running at full power, that's a total 620 watts/h. 620 W/h * 15 hours = 9300 Wh, or 9.3 kWh. Our Crown corp in NB charges 12.7¢/kWh (avg cost in US is ~16¢, in Canada it's ~19¢). 0.127 * 9.3 = $1.18. I don't think it would be too difficult to make a return on that lol.

Check the description

It's $419.00.

Nope.