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3DBenchy — The Jolly 3D Printing Torture Test

3DBenchy — The Jolly 3D Printing Torture Test

The industry-standard first print. Tests curved surfaces, overhangs, bridges, and fine detail all in one compact boat-shaped model.

first print calibration no supports
Get the STL on Printables →

Opens the author's page on printables.com. Free download; some sources may ask you to sign in.

Author
CreativeTools
License
CC0-1.0
Print time
~1h 40m
Layer height
0.2 mm
Supports
None
Filament
PLA

3D preview

Drag to orbit · scroll to zoom · double-click to reset. Preview only — download the print-quality STL via the link above.

Why print this

3DBenchy is the most widely printed calibration model in the world. Every printer owner has a reference photo of a well-printed Benchy — which means you can compare your result to thousands of others. It tests the full range of printer capabilities: curved hull, name tag bridge, chimney overhang, and fine window detail, all without supports.

Before you slice

No special settings needed. Use your printer’s default PLA profile at 0.2 mm layer height and 15% infill. No supports required — the overhangs are all within 45°.

Orientation: the model should be flat on the bed with the hull facing up. This is the default orientation in most slicer imports.

What to expect

  1. Load PLA and heat the hot end to 215°C, bed to 60°C.
  2. Import the STL into your slicer. Use the default printer profile.
  3. Slice at 0.2 mm layer height, 15% infill, no supports.
  4. Watch the first layer. The skirt should extrude cleanly; the hull base should lie flat.
  5. The print takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes at default speed.
  6. Let the bed cool fully before removing. The Benchy should pop off a PEI sheet without tools.
  7. Compare to reference photos online. Look at: chimney overhang quality, bridge under the bow, layer consistency on the curved hull.

If it goes wrong

  • Stringy cabin interior — nozzle temperature too high or retraction too low. Lower temp by 5°C.
  • Chimney not printing cleanly — cooling fan issue. Check the fan is spinning at full speed on small features.
  • Hull warping at the bow — bed adhesion problem. Clean the PEI sheet with IPA and re-level.
  • Wobbly or uneven layer lines on the hull — Z-banding. Check lead screw coupling and lubrication.

Recommended slicer settings

Paste into PrusaSlicer or OrcaSlicer — adjust to taste.

slicer profile (plain text)
layer_height:   0.2 mm
infill:         15%
perimeters:     3
supports:       none
filament:       PLA
nozzle_temp:    200°C
bed_temp:       60°C
speed_print:    50 mm/s