Homemade Belt Sander Strop

B

Bighaze51

Joined
Dec 26, 2012
Messages
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Just curious if anyone has made their own strop for a belt sander. I have a bunch of leather and it seems kind of silly for me to buy one if I can make it myself. My question is, how would you do the joint? Is it sewed together or glued?
 
Huh. I would glue. Needs to be flexible. I would consider Shoe Goo or 100% silicone.
Seems like anything you sew, no matter how you do it, is going to cause undue friction.

Also, I would bevel the edges where the 2 ends meet.

belt.png
 
ColdDeadHand said:
Huh. I would glue. Needs to be flexible. I would consider Shoe Goo or 100% silicone.
Seems like anything you sew, no matter how you do it, is going to cause undue friction.

Also, I would bevel the edges where the 2 ends meet.
Click to expand...

Yes, try to copy the way your actual sanding belt is made.
 
Sweet, thanks guys. I actually found somewhere online where a guy made his own and that's exactly how I did it. Unfortunately my leather is a little thick so I'm going to have to thin it down some. I will report back on how it works
 
Also, any belt sander I've seen was a "one speed fits all" kind of a deal.

If that's the case, you should probably pick up one of these, I can do crazy stuff with this on my angle grinder.

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^^Note the warning on the yellow tag, in the pic above. A bench-top or stationary belt grinder will usually be one of the 'brushless type motors' that won't fare well with the 'router speed control' device pictured; it'll burn up the motor, if it's a brushless AC induction motor. On the other hand, if the 'belt sander' mentioned in the OP is one of the hand-held variety used for sanding furniture & such, it might be OK (they are 'brushed' DC motors, as are routers, angle grinders, hand-held drills and circular saws).

Some people refer to 'belt grinders' (usually on AC motors) as 'belt sanders' (usually DC motors), which is why I mention it. If it's not applicable to the OP (if using a hand-held belt sander), please disregard.


David
 
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Amos Iron Wolf said:
This guy has videos on a few. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OzjurvpX1E

He even made one up to 2500 grit or so and has a video of him finishing off a cheap carbon steel katana type sword I don't recall if you put up a vid on how to do one at that level.
Click to expand...

This guy actually have me the idea to make my own belts. I used duct tape as a backer. I used two layers and just stuck the paper down on it with a slight over lap. It bounces a little but it definitely works. I haven't broken one yet. :). These will get me buy until I can invest in some better belts. I still need to finish the leather one though. It's a little too thick right now
 
Sounds like an awesome project.
1) Are you permanently altering the sander in any way or can you still use it as a sander?
2) Pics plz?
 
No, it's not permanent. The plan is to use the sander as..... Well, a sander. :). I'm actually using it to make a file knife as well but the main purpose is for sharpening. The leather belt will be removable as well.
 
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