How to Make Sandpaper Belts

Making your own sandpaper belts instead of going to the hardware store to buy them can be time-consuming and not particularly cost-effective. But as with anything, if you've got the time, you can certainly do it yourself! Once you get the hang of making them, it gives you the option of staying in your woodshop and finishing your woodworking project instead of having to be interrupted for a trip to the store. Follow the tips below to crank out a few homemade sanding belts that work as well as the store-bought kind.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Sandpaper
• PVA glue or cynoacrylate
• Heavy duty pinch clamps, or weights
• Ziplock bags

How to Make Sandpaper Belts

1. Cut the ends at 30 to 45 degree angles.
2. Use belt sander to sand edges about 1/2 inch in to avoid a bump at the joint.
3. Glue ends together with PVA glue or cynoacrylate.
4. Put Ziplock bags on each side, clamp with small blocks in a heavy duty clamp or under some weights. Glue won't stick to plastic much.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also add strips of linen cloth (old blueprints work well) at the joints in back. Glue two strips--one two inches wide first, then one four inches wide on top of that.
• With linen strips, there might be a knock heard when the joint passes while sanding, but it won't affect the finish.