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We the Builders’ Ben Franklinstein—also called Distributed Ben Franklin—was a completed 2014 project in which volunteers printed and shipped pieces of a scanned bust for assembly into a sculpture planned to stand about 33 inches tall. The build turned one large object into 198 smaller prints, letting people with different printers and materials contribute a part.
How the distributed build worked
We the Builders’ method was to divide a large sculpture into manageable pieces that people with 3D printers could claim, print, document, and send in for assembly. For this project, Direct Dimensions scanned a contemporary bust at its office in Owings Mills, Maryland. The scan was divided into 198 STL pieces, and the assembled Franklin was planned at roughly the same height as the group’s earlier George Washington bust: about 33 inches.
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The smaller parts were intended to make printing quicker, work with smaller printers, and let more people contribute in different colors. The workflow depended on more than printing: participants needed to identify their part accurately, mark it, and ship it so the organizers could check and assemble the whole sculpture.
What participants were asked to do
- Claim a part and print it. The project page invited builders to take on one of the divided pieces. It recommended at least two shells and 5–15% infill as needed. Those were the project’s 2014 suggestions, not universal settings for current printers, materials, or structural applications.
- Label the print. Builders were asked to write the part’s XYZ coordinates on an inside face, along with a signature or optional message. Coordinate labeling helped identify where a piece belonged during assembly.
- Ship the part for assembly. Printed pieces were sent to Baltimore, where the team coordinated incoming parts, checked them, followed up on missing pieces, and assembled the bust.
The project page noted that the earlier George Washington sculpture weighed nearly 30 pounds and said the team expected Ben to weigh more. That was a contemporaneous expectation; the sources do not establish a measured final weight for the Franklin bust.
#1 Best Overall
- Depicts Benjamin Franklin, a key Founding Father of the United States known for his contributions to science and politics.
- Crafted from durable PLA plastic with a realistic marble stone finish, this bust offers a classic aesthetic.
- Available in multiple sizes: 4", 6", 8", 10", 12", 14", 16", 18" to suit various display needs and spaces.
- Ideal for display on a desk, bookshelf, study, or mantelpiece, adding historical charm to any interior.
- Makes a thoughtful gift for history enthusiasts, students, or anyone with an interest in American heritage.
2014 launch and completion
- August 4, 2014: Make: reported the project launch.
- September 1, 2014: The team’s target was to have all pieces in Baltimore for assembly and appearances at maker events.
- September 18, 2014: Adafruit reported that Ben Franklinstein was complete.
Organizer Todd Blatt described the effort as taking about a month, including scanning, slicing, uploading, distributing, checking parts, tracking down missing pieces for reprints, and final assembly. This makes clear that a distributed print relies on coordination and quality checks as much as on the printers themselves.
Who supported the project
We the Builders credited Direct Dimensions with scanning the bust. The project page also thanked Tinkerine Studios Ltd. for agreeing to reimburse some participants’ printing and shipping costs after completion. These are historical acknowledgements of support for this build, not evidence of current sponsorship or an ongoing reimbursement offer.
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- Depicts Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States, known for his contributions to science and politics.
- Crafted from PLA plastic with a marble stone finish, offering a classic aesthetic without the weight of real marble.
- Available in a range of sizes: 4", 6", 8", 10", 12", 14", 16", 18", suitable for various display spaces.
- Ideal for display on a desk, bookshelf, study, or mantel, adding a touch of historical elegance to any space.
- Makes a thoughtful gift for history enthusiasts, educators, or anyone who admires Benjamin Franklin's legacy.
The project page quoted Benjamin Franklin: “That as we enjoy great Advantages from the Inventions of Others, we should be glad of an Opportunity to serve others by any Invention of ours, and this we should do freely and generously.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the project open to join now?
No. We the Builders lists the Franklin project as completed, and its September 2014 completion was reported at the time. The 2014 part-claiming, printing, and shipping instructions describe the original build; they are not an invitation to send new pieces. The sources cited here do not establish whether the sculpture is currently on display, whether visitors can see it, or whether project files remain available.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Depicts Benjamin Franklin in colonial attire, gazing upward with a kite panel merging into the bust, symbolizing his famous experiment.
- 3D printed in durable PLA plastic with a marble stone finish, offering a detailed and classic appearance.
- Available in multiple sizes: 4", 6", 8", 10", 12", 14", 16", 18" to suit various display needs.
- Ideal for display on desks, shelves, studies, or mantels, adding historical charm to any space.
- A thoughtful gift for history buffs, science enthusiasts, or as a themed décor piece for special occasions.
Rank #4
- Benjamin Franklin, a key figure in the American Revolution, is depicted as an elder statesman in this detailed bust.
- Crafted from PLA plastic with a marble stone finish, this bust offers a classic look without the weight of real marble.
- Available in multiple sizes: 4", 6", 8", 10", 12", 14", 16", 18", to suit various spaces and display needs.
- Ideal for display on a desk, shelf, study, or mantel, adding historical depth to any room.
- A thoughtful gift for history enthusiasts or as a meaningful piece for patriotic occasions.
Rank #3
- Depicts Benjamin Franklin, a key Founding Father known for his contributions to science, politics, and diplomacy.
- Crafted from PLA plastic with a marble stone finish, offering a classic yet durable appearance.
- Available in multiple heights: 4", 6", 8", 10", 12", 14", 16", 18" to suit various display preferences.
- Ideal for display on a desk, shelf, study, or mantel, adding a historical touch to any space.
- Makes a thoughtful gift for history enthusiasts, scholars, or as a themed gift for special occasions.
Sources
- We the Builders: Franklin project page
- We the Builders: About
- We the Builders: Projects
- Make: coverage of the 2014 launch
- Adafruit coverage of the completion
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