About the Machine
The TTC3018 CNC is Two Trees’ entry-level desktop router, with a 300 x 180 x 40mm working area. It runs on a NEMA17 stepper motor and a T8 4mm lead screw drive on all axes, controlled by GRBL over USB. Two Trees does not publish a spindle wattage or model for this machine.
Cut Settings on this Machine
Every cut starts with one formula: Feed Rate = Spindle Speed (RPM) x Chip Load x Number of Cutting Edges (flutes). Chip load is the thickness of material each cutting edge removes in one revolution of the bit. This number comes from the manufacturer of the bit, which publishes a chip-load chart for each bit diameter and material. Look up your exact bit and material, start from the middle of the published range, and you have the third number in the formula. The chart below shows the recommended spindle speed for each material and bit type.
| Material | Solid carbide bit (RPM) | HSS & carbide-tipped bit (RPM) |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic (hard & soft) | 18,000 | 8,000 |
| Soft woods (MDF, particleboard, etc.) | 22,000 | 10,000 |
| Hard wood (oak, maple, etc.) | 16,000 | 7,000 |
| Aluminum | 12,000-14,000 | 5,500 |
| Aluminum, softer grades (such as 3003) | 10,000 | 5,000 |
| Foam (harder foams; soft foams do not rout well) | 18,000 | 8,000 |
| Composites | 12,000 | 5,000 |
If this machine's spindle cannot reach the listed speed, run the spindle at its maximum and control the cut with feed rate. For 65mm trim routers, the DeWalt DW611 dial maps to: 1 = 16,000; 2 = 18,200; 3 = 20,400; 4 = 22,600; 5 = 24,800; 6 = 27,000 RPM.
Two Trees does not publish a spindle wattage or maximum RPM for the TTC3018, so check the plate on your spindle before you start. A light desktop machine like this one, riding on a T8 lead screw and a NEMA17 stepper, does not have the rigidity or torque of a larger router. Depth per pass is where that shows up: a truly rigid machine with a powerful spindle can cut as deep as the bit is wide in a single pass, but that takes real spindle torque, a drive train and clamps that hold firm, a gantry that will not flex, and enough mass to soak up vibration. This machine falls short of that bar, so take shallower passes. Push too deep and the bit deflects and chatters, leaving scalloped edges, or it rubs instead of cutting and burns the material. The fastest way to dial in a cut is to see what has already worked for other people.
Worked example for feed rate: 1/8in (3.175mm) two-flute solid carbide end mill in hard wood. The chart says 16,000 RPM. With the bit maker’s 0.025mm per tooth (0.0010 in): 16,000 x 0.025 x 2 = 800 mm/min (31 in/min) feed. For depth per pass, start shallow and check Community Cut Settings in Easel for what works on the Two Trees TTC3018 CNC. If the cut sounds strained, reduce the depth, not the feed. Slowing the feed below the chip load makes the bit rub instead of cut.
Community Cut Settings shows the spindle speed, feed rate, and depth per pass other makers actually run for your machine, material, and bit.
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Using this machine with Easel
The TTC3018 CNC runs GRBL, so it connects directly to Easel. Install the free Easel Driver and plug in over USB, or connect driverless with Rapid Connect in a Chromium browser (Chrome, Edge, or Opera). Design in the browser, then the Carve button homes, zeroes, and runs the job with live progress. You can also export G-code to run from another sender. Select TTC3018 CNC in Easel’s machine menu to size the canvas.
Prefer not to install anything? Rapid Connect lets any GRBL machine, this one included, connect straight from your browser. If you go the driver route, grab it from the downloads page and follow the step-by-step install guide.
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