How to Make Sandpaper Belts

Sandpaper is a very versatile material.

Though sanding belts tend to be very cheap, for the truly committed do-it-yourselfer, low cost is never an excuse to buy something premade. If you're one such die-hard DIY enthusiast, you may be either relieved or chagrined to find that making your own sanding belt from an ordinary roll of sandpaper is very simple. By simply cutting and gluing, you can construct your own belt that runs almost as well as the commercial alternative, though usually with a shorter lifespan.

Things You'll Need

• Old sanding belt
• Sandpaper roll
• Utility knife
• File
• Strong glue
• Strapping tape
• Clamp

Instructions

1. Remove your old sanding belt from the belt grinder and cut it, allowing it to unloop and lay flat. Measure its length and width.

2. Cut a piece of sandpaper to match the dimensions of your previous belt plus an extra inch in length. Flex the strip, bending it every possible way to remove any stiffness.

3. Use a file to remove the abrasive sand from an inch of the sandpaper on both ends of the strip. Continue until only the bare paper is left.

4. Glue the two ends together with a one-inch overlap and add a piece of strapping tape to the underside of the joint. Clamp them tightly until dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the seam is lined up as perfectly as possible.

References

• eNotes: Sandpaper --- How Products Are Made