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.

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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

CementTruck says: Mar 22, 2012. 7:07 AM

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 (author) in reply to CementTruckMar 23, 2012. 9:35 AM

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.

AlternativeSpeed in reply to crispyjonesJul 17, 2012. 1:11 PM

The widest ones that I get are 34mm for the older V8's. The V6's are 32mm. Of course all the newer engines have timing chains :(

heathbar64 says: Jun 17, 2012. 7:18 PM

OHHHHH! I'm totally doing this! Think maybe I'll make my own industrial buckle too.

AlternativeSpeed says: Jun 8, 2012. 10:18 AM

I love the instructable! I work in the parts dept at a dealership, and we go through a good amount of timing belts. I grabbed one out of the trash for a V8. It's a bit wider and I think it works well. I also decided to have the teeth on the inside, I think it looks a little more professional that way. I'm sure I can find more pretty easily if anybody is interested.

crispyjones (author) in reply to AlternativeSpeedJun 8, 2012. 6:05 PM

Awesome, I definitely need to make a wider one. Thanks for sharing!

htmlinc says: Mar 4, 2012. 7:54 AM

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

denaldorich says: Dec 7, 2011. 6:57 AM

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

105

Mrballeng says: Mar 13, 2011. 5:37 PM

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

j_wo says: Dec 21, 2010. 2:22 PM

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 (author) in reply to j_woDec 21, 2010. 3:23 PM

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 says: Dec 10, 2010. 7:09 AM

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 (author) in reply to AuzzieGuy42Dec 10, 2010. 8:57 AM

True, timing gears and timing chains make terrible belts.