Koentopp Cutaway Bender Update
After a few years working with this bender I decided to add a counterweight to the system. The weight hangs from the two stainless steel slats to keep constant tension on the wood and steel. I used to use my hands to apply pressure which was just silly. This addition really makes the process smooth, controllable, and quite consistent. I didnt do anything fancy really, I just took a half cinder block and mounted an eyelet through it and hung it from the slats which were joined with aluminum plates. As my daughter says “Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy!”
Tags: acoustic archtop, archtop, art of luthiery, Bending a Cutaway, best guitars, boutique guitars, Chicago, custom archtop, Cutaway, Cutaway Bender, Guitar, guitar maker, Guitars, Koentopp Cutaway Bender, Los Angeles, Luthier, woodworking
Are you still using your “rotary” side bender? If so, have there been additional updates?
Yes, I am using it, and its a permanant station on my shop wall. Other than the window sash weights, I added to it, nothing is different. I am using a power controller that Ken Parker recommended which works great. Instead of letting my sides cool and set in the bender I place them in positive/negative molds to solidify into a perfect side. This also lets me continue on the bender.