A Timing Belt Belt

I will show you how to make a belt for your pants with a belt from your car. We will take a belt you no longer wear, and a belt your car no longer wears, and make a new belt you can both be proud of.

What is a timing belt? It is the belt that connects the crankshaft to the camshaft on many vehicles. Unlike your alternator or power steering pump, the crank and cam must rotate precisely in time with each other. Hence the name 'timing belt.' If the cam and crank are not in time, due to an incorrectly installed belt, a missing tooth, or a broken belt, very serious engine damage may result. Any car that has a timing belt lists the recommended change interval in the owners manual.

What is a belt? This is not the part where I explain the function of the belt that goes around your waist. I will point out that while the consequences of this belt failing are not costly, they can be very embarrassing.

Step 1 Getting Started

Below is the list of items I used to make this project.  A drill will with proper bits is an acceptable substitute for the leather punch, though the holes will be a bit rougher.  The sewing awl might not be needed at all if the epoxy is strong enough, but I didn't want to risk it.  I wanted to make my own "tab holder" (the part that holds the remaining length of belt once it has been threaded through the buckle), so I used some steel rod and various pliers and vice grips.  You can probably make the belt with no tab holder at all, or your donor belt may have a suitable one.  A very sharp heavy duty razor knife may work in place of the Dremel, but I found the Dremel much easier to use on this heavy duty material. 

To procure a timing belt just visit a local mechanic shop or dealership.  If you own a car, now would be the time to check if it needs a timing belt replacement.  Otherwise, make sure you are clear that you want an old belt for a non-automotive related project, they might hesitate to give you one if they think you are going to put a used belt on a vehicle.  You should take your donor belt with you to make sure the hardware will fit the width of the timing belt you get.

Consumables

Used timing belt (the kind for your car)
Old belt (the kind for your pants)
Epoxy
*steel rod to make tab holder

Tools

Dremel or similar rotary tool
Leather Punch or Drill
Sewing awl 
Heavy duty scissors or knife
Clamps or a bench vise
*bending tools to make tab holder from steel rod

*these are only needed if your donor belt does not have an acceptable tab holder

Comments

[CementTruck]

Does this leave little black streaks on your clothing?

I've been looking for a way to make a stiff belt for CCW use, which is how I stumbled across this 'ible.

Great idea!

[crispyjones]

No black streaks. I cleaned it pretty good and it wasn't oil soaked. When I first built this I figured I would wear it for special occasions, but I now where it daily. Now if I wear a leather belt it feels downright flimsy compared to this. If I build another one I think I will try and get a wider timing belt, probably something from a larger V6.

[htmlinc]

Very Cool!!! I need a bigger engine... =D

[denaldorich]

Nice, I plan on trying this with D rings instead of the buckle though

[Mrballeng]

I've always wanted to do this. Good job and quality work.

[j_wo]

If you're a little larger person like myself, you might do the same project with a car's serpentine belt. (The really long one that attaches to the fan, alternator, and ac unit.) Great ible!

[crispyjones]

That is a good idea. I think timing belts are generally of sturdier construction. This timing belt was really long, I was able to cut lengths off to experiment with glue and sewing and still have more than enough left over for a belt. I think it will really depend on the timing belt you get.

[AuzzieGuy42]

Hmm, My car uses a chain. Unforunately I do not think it will have the same effect and may be a lot harder to work with.

[crispyjones]

True, timing gears and timing chains make terrible belts.

[mjawed]

Great .... I like this..;)

[CrLz]

Way cool idea! Great use for old timing belts, and old belts that have worn out.

Bet my Long Trail club friends in Vermont will love this!

[bertus52x11]

Cool!

[seamster]

Very cool. It looks very well done, plus I love any project that is a subtle joke in and of itself.

Nice work!

[crispyjones]

Thanks seamster. It's hard to beat "duct tape duck." I think you have a winner there.

[seamster]

You should enter this into the belt contest.

[seamster]

Ha ha, thanks, I hope so.

[Erik Lindemann]

Wow. I love this. Too bad my old timing belt was in too shoddy a shape to do this with it.