What can a $500 CNC Router Do?! TwoTrees TTC450 Review

[@MortillaroCustoms]

i keep watching reviews of these hobby machines and every time i get to the end Im left thinking my 50's Bench master Mill is still better. Having owned some serious CNC's in the past these all feel like toys.

[@ThatGuy-dj3qr]

This is the third review of this machine I have watched and not one reviewer bought the vacuum attachment. Is there a reason you opted for no dust/chip removal? To me it seems like an obvious option unless there is a design issue with the vaccuum assembly. By the way, thanks for the excellent, honest review.

[@ModernHobbyist]

I might have to make a separate review about that but TwoTrees sent me this machine so I didn’t really get a say in what they included unfortunately. Appreciate the feedback though!

[@timrb]

I found if you try to move an axis too fast, or if the steps per mm is wrong for that axis, the axis will lock up.

[@factsoverfeelings21]

I’ve had to use a shop vac a lot with aluminum and the shocking sucks. Weirdest thing I use in my vacuum cleaners are dryer sheets. But with the shop vac I hold the hose with a dryer sheet and I haven’t had any shocking. Hahahahahaha

[@madbuldog]

The TTC 450 Pro is the actual upgrade to this machine, with much of the issues already or partialy delt with.

[@Enolagay8545]

What software are you using for design, Word, Fusion 360, Excel, etc.?

[@AkieShak]

thanks for the review, really helps, im on laser cutting and want to try to get one TTC 450 pro, was doing some study on them

[@colinwilson8747]

Good honest review. Thanks

[@ModernHobbyist]

Thanks for watching!

[@LuxuryMixes]

Para cortar mdf de 15 mm de cuantas pasadas estaria bien?

[@eraser465]

Funny they didn't provide the same courtesy to me, must be I'm not reviewing thier product.

[@ModernHobbyist]

That’s too bad! I didn’t actually tell them I was reviewing their product, but maybe they had my email flagged 🤔

[@alpha_pixel_]

500w spindle and a cheap relay for control. It should be a contactor atleast.

[@Peter-i7y1q]

Great video! What do you mean by "with the understanding to not throw any punches"? I'm not a native speaker and I'm unsure whether this means it's a sponsored video? There's nothing wrong with having a sponsored video I just don't understand your remark :)

[@ModernHobbyist]

Thanks! I said “I’m not gonna pull any punches” which basically means I’m not gonna take it easy on the machine. Many KZbinrs choose not to mention negative aspects of machines because they want the company to keep sending them free stuff, but I aim to never do that. Hope that helps and thanks for watching!

[@gregrburnett3400]

In one of your videos you were wearing an Iowa State sweatshirt; are you in Iowa?

[@ModernHobbyist]

Yup!

[@annebokma4637]

Is this a side quest like "where in the world is the friendly hobbyist"? 😂 And the winner is the one who doxxes you first? Free $500 CNC machine is the price? 😂😂😂

[@WHJeffB]

Great review... I get that you were trying to push the limits of the machine for this review, but one thing I've found with a lot of the complaints about the various inexpensive China sourced CNC machines (routers, lasers, etc...) is that people try to push them too much. They're not industrial machines. They're not meant for pumping out parts 8hrs a day, 5-6 days a week. If you're a hobbyist, what's your hurry? I mean seriously... Dial down the feed rate, don't be so aggressive with your cuts and you'll find you'll get much better results. If you're intent is to do production work with one of these types of machines, you're barking up the wrong tree and need to rethink your goals. I have one of those $1200 12" x 20" 50W CO2 Chinese laser systems and it's great... Does everything I want it to, but I'm patient and don't push it too far or too fast. BTW... For cutting aluminum, use Isopropyl Alcohol as a cutting fluid. Stinks a lot less than tapping fluid and it will evaporate without leaving any residue. The usual warning about using it in a confined space, with any open flame applies. For a shock resistant chip removal, make an extension for your vacuum nozzle out of cardboard tube... Should mitigate or eliminate any shocking issues. Again... Great, non-biased review. I've been considering this machine for routing acrylic sheet to make parts that I'll convert to metal by burning the acrylic out of investment molds.

[@ModernHobbyist]

Thanks for the feedback! I actually had a bit talking about this exact same thing (this is a hobbyist machine, priced to reflect that, etc...) but it didn't make the cut unfortunately cause it came off a little more frustrated sounding than I intended. I see lots of the same complaints about these hobbyist machines and I agree with your response, this machine isn't meant for that. For a $500 machine it's pretty good! Thanks again for the comment, glad you liked the review! 👍

[@WHJeffB]

@@ModernHobbyist I think you covered the shortcomings well enough that it should be obvious to most that this is not a machine you use for heavy production and that people need to have realistic expectations for it. I guess I've seen too many people complaining that these hobby machines don't hold up, or that they can't turn one into a full time Etsy knick-knack maker. At least on the laser side. You need a machine (like an Epilog or Universal) that's an order of magnitude more expensive for that... But anyway. Enjoy your honest, no nonsense take on this machine.

[@pinkeye00]

I'm opt'd for a Shapeoko tbh.

[@pdxcerealkilla9847]

Isn't that way more money and not even in this price class?

[@pontiacg445]

@@pdxcerealkilla9847 What is this price class? Useless??

[@pdxcerealkilla9847]

@@pontiacg445 it doesn't seem useless at all and seems pretty capable for $500

[@1dboucher]

You need to earth your shop vac hose

[@WHJeffB]

Make a nozzle extension from a cardboard tube... End of shocking your machine.

[@VanguardSys]

u will label for a few items than its a pain in the arse and useless - sturdy? when u moved the spindle the entire machine flexed - the main issue with these small units - very very light cuts are needed - these cheap chinese-eum machines are more pain than gain - hit or miss - beginners usually toss them - cheap is always cheap

[@ModernHobbyist]

I actually had a whole segment where i talked about this but it didn't make the final cut. This is a $500 aluminum machine, it's intended for beginner hobbyists and as such isn't gonna be the sturdiest machine in the world but it's priced to reflect that. My review takes all of that into consideration.

[@VanguardSys]

@@ModernHobbyist get what u pay for - beginners really need to know this - good job on videos

[@PTcruser65]

of course this is an unbieast review and isn't bought,wink, wink, nudge, nudge.