How a 3DBenchy can tell where your 3D prints need improvement

The 3DBenchy is a tremendously popular item to 3D print. In this video we look at why this is, as well as how to use it as a serious benchmarking tool to improve your 3D printers. We also touch on the #speedboatrace challenge, a competition to print 3DBenchy as fast as possible.

Get Quality Resins from 3D Printers Online. 5% off storewide for Teaching Tech subscribers [Code: tech5]

Take a look around and if you like what you see, please subscribe.

[mildlemon]

For me, the #3DBenchy is a very useful tool that looks like a silly gimmick.
There's even more to it, for example you can stick the chimney of one benchy into the box of another benchy to easily check for over-/underextrusion and part fit.

[senseirazor]

As someone new to printing and modeling, the fact that someone created something so simple that is secretly so complicated is amazing to me

[whatthefunction]

in 1000 year archaeologist will say "they seemed to worship the god of boating and recreation"

[ragzard]

Massive coincidence. Just assembled my 1st 3d printer yesterday and I had some issues with my first Benchy. After about an hour on forums, I've found out it was insufficient cooling. The second one was freaking perfect. Gorgeous print that made my choose for an Ender 3 V2 worthwhile.

[thirdeyevision]

I'm a printing newb, I've had my printer for about a month and I've watched a ton of videos, including a bunch of yours and I had a pretty good start. I just wanted to drop a comment and say this was probably the most useful video I've seen yet. THANK YOU! I got my settings dialed in decently with my first spool of filament, maybe some luck was involved because I printed a decent benchy but once I switched to a different brand filament, I started to have trouble and I didn't really know how to describe my issues so I couldn't quite find what needed to be adjusted. This video provided just about every bit of info I needed to make informed adjustments. I feel like my printing skills doubled in the last 12 mins. so, seriously, thank you. AND I just opened your calibration website and it looks like I'm about to learn a bunch more! For free!?! New Patron incoming.

[c.augustin]

As being new to 3D printing (having just started) and having seen lots of Benchys in the location I use the printers at, I didn't know that! That it is something of a test item I already knew, but not how many things can be tested with this simple item. Absolutely ingenious!

[TooManyHobbiesJeremy]

3 years old and still a useful video. I'm new to 3d printing and it was fun to compare my latest Benchy print while watching the video.

[chuckmccollim]

I'm watching this video as I am printing my very first 3Dbenchy on a CR-10S that my son gave me!

[nilusk]

Just got my 3D printer a week ago and loving the channel. I love this little guy, such a fun way to check how your printer is doing. Way better then calibration blocks that, like you said, you end up just throwing out when you are done

[sandrolauer]

That was a really good explanation on the benchy. I've been printing for 5 years but I never did care too much about them. Your video helped to not underestimate the possibilities of the model, and I didn't have the idea to make a benchy out of every filament to see how it looks and compares 🤦
Thank you for reviving the benchy to me!

[jamesfite]

Printing my first benchy ever and I’m blown away. It’s crazy how I kept hearing about Benchy’s not being important. Crazy them, thanks for the information and vid. Love your work and always learn something new

[aidenfaurote]

7:08 I'd really appreciate if you went into more detail on what exactly to tune in the slicer other than just "tune in the slicer"

[NeoAcheron]

Faster faster faster!!! I got mine in 10 minutes 21 seconds! Pretty much reached the limit of my printer now, which is why I'm building a new one from scratch...

This is a great video, because a lot of times newcomers in the community asks how the benchy is useful for them, and this details it very well. Thank you!

[RpHeebyGBs]

That damn line in all my benchys has haunted my dreams for 3, 000 years. Just to find out that there is not much to do about it. For once I can sleep!

[linklooklisten]

I got an Ender 3 v2 last week and have had an Ender 3 pro for almost a year. I've been printing on that at 220c for the nozzle, and 60 for the bed. When I got the v2, I applied the same settings and the prints were terrible. Printed a ton of benchys after tuning here and there. Then it hit me. The temperature outside and in my house had changed so I had to compensate with my prints. Lowered both printers to 200 and everything is fine. Except I have about 20 benchys now, I need to print a dock for them at this point. I wish this video came out a week ago! But, great information and I definitely learned a lot and with each benchy print, I found more changes to make both in cura and my printer settings. You're the man Michael!

[larryfroot]

I'm due to get an Ender 3 v2 this week. I cannot tell you how relieved I am to have come across you and your channel. Thank you so much for all the resources, help and guidance. As soon as I can afford it, I'm becoming a patreon. You absolutely deserve the support.

[partsdave]

Thanks for this detailed video of the beloved Benchy. While I have been aware and printed many, the detail of your video is much appreciated. You have covered the details much better than most, if not all other, content producers.

[AcceptTheNull]

2:00 I kindly disagree, Having one of those test squares is a great starter piece. People end up asking what each part of the test means. Though I'd rather do a Benchy to show off each color and see if they have any differences within a maker. Benchy doesn't look like one so people look at the all the colors, say how cute and move on.

This was good video and Benchy is a good tool, because you can get a test out of it while also having a nice piece to add to a collection, plus that first point about being able to store filaments or even just see what color they finish to with different settings is huge, because it lets you build a color pallet. If a cat or small robot does it for you instead, then use that, I just like the iconic-ness of Benchy.

[wiseoldfool]

I just got my first 3D printer this week. I've seen Benchies on the interwebs, and wondered what the attraction was. Now I see it is a simple and useful diagnostic tool. I like the idea of creating a "library" of Benchies with different filaments to help choose a filament for a project (just have to make sure I correctly label them!). Great video.

[tubz]

just wanna say i appreciate you always citing your sources for your info