make a little harbor freight belt sander run backwards for sharpening???

[Vulcanite]

It would be nice to have a little belt grinder whose belt runs upwards rather than downwards for sharpening... Then one could just hold the edge upwards and sweep it left and right while comfortably looking down on the endge waiting for the hair to appear. Now when I sharpen on the belt grinder (edge down) I have to sort of hold my hands up like I'm riding a bike w/ ape hangars, even though I lean the unit back a good deal.

Is there a way to modify a belt grinder w/ an induction motor to run backwards, or even both directions, such as one of the cheap 1" belt grinders??

I have a Wilton 2x42...

 

[Stark Knives]

You can actually just lay the sander on its back. You can then sharpen as if you were on stones.

Erd

 

[sonil]

 

[Vulcanite]

I got one. WHen i get a chance I permmattach it to a piece of plywood upside down for dedicated sharpening work. I will likely put it on its back at a 45 degree angle though so when it is on my high bench at chest level, I can just hold the blade closer to horizontal and comfortably see the edge w/ my elbows at my sides and standing up straight.

I guess I'll JB weld it to the wood and then fasten a little segment of 2x2 or somethign under the motor so it doesn't want to fall towards the motor. I just got to make a little clearance for the tension knob.