A seat belt - belt

How to MAKE a belt out of an automobile seat belt, new and improved version.

This is two instructables in one, as I will show two different ways to make a belt. One is version 1.0, and the second is 2.0, as it was easier for me to make, and also adds the luxury of being adjustable.

Step 1 Why do this anyway?

I have a passion for re-purposing stuff. I often drive by the junk yards, or the dump, and see all that potential, just waiting there.

I have been accused of bringing home more stuff than I take to the dump. The problem is, I just see all those useful things, and hate to see them go to waste. Our city burns all of it's trash, and makes electricity out of the process. But then, of course, sells the power to the highest bidder.

I just couldn't stand the thought of a perfectly good camp lantern being burned...so I brought it home, and it is the one we use now.

Version 2.0 makes use of some leather working tools. A setter, and an anvil. Simple tools, that really make it possible to make a professional looking article, and they are cheap! Read on for more info.

So, here it goes...

Comments

[abadfart]

how strong is this cus i need to make an harness for my friends truck

[naturalsam]

I wouldn't trust the snaps to hold me while off roading. All I've ever used this for is a belt. You can get leaning pretty hard on those straps while off road, and I think the snap would be a weakness. I recommend sewing with a heavy weight thread. The seat belt is very easy to sew on a regular machine. But, again, thread is not adjustable...you could use the adjustable seat belt clips though, since you won't be putting it through your belt loops. Best of luck, and let us know how it goes.

[abadfart]

well its more of an on road thing its just my friends mom is freaking out and wants him to sell the truck because it has no air bags and our compromise was off roading harnesses. what about a really tight stitch

[tinker234]

you should look on amazon the racing seat belts are only five dollars for 1

[Warlrosity]

I want to make a bag strap

[Damage, Inc.]

here's the seat belt guitar strap I made for a friend, inspired by your instructable. I did stuff a little differently, but I like the result.

[naturalsam]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing! I really like that you kept the original decal/instruction part. I was trying to incorporate that into the belt, but got side-tracked.

[Damage, Inc.]

Mhmm, I wanted them on there so it wouldn't be too..... plain. I got side-tracked at one point as well, and forgot about it while sewing a part of it. But I undid the stitching so I could keep it on there. I had a lot of fun making it!

[stitches22]

ahhhh..... i saw a real legit seat belt belt at bobs, but i decided not to get it. it figures that the next day, i want it, but its not there!! that was about a year a ago! FINALLY i have my chance to wear a seat belt belt! THANKS A TON!!!!!

[naturalsam]

'tis a pleasure to share ideas. Show us what you come up with.

[daninja]

We have a deep-well sink in our basement.

[Yerboogieman]

that would be kool to have an acura belt, the GM one i found is getting worn out.

[lieuwe]

if you would take the seat belt from the middle seat in the back(most cars have these, searcht between the seat) there is this belt-adjust thing, which is there becouse in the middle there isn't a spring system that pulls it back, neither is there a locking system, which would give you a great amount of adjustability

[naturalsam]

Ah, but the tab part of the buckle is quite large that encloses the belt adjusting device, and wouldn't fit through any belt loops I've ever seen. Thought of that, but wouldn't work for me.

[LuminousObject]

My friend just showed me one he bought today, and I had this same idea to make one. But, I'm going to use a guitar strap as the webbing, just for more pattern. Probably a checkered guitar strap.

[vader0ne]

Hey Great Minds think alike, I made two of these back in the early 80's One for me and one for my Bud. Mine I took out of A older car And was adjustable Black. I even made a pouch for my Zippo Lighter Near the buckle.I had to use a grinder and grind the clasp almost paper thin so it would fit threw my Loops. Was thinking on taking it a step further and adding a piece on the backside inside with a zipper and making a money belt....But surprising I found mine in a box just yesterday , Can't ware it a little more pounds But A keeper.

[lego187]

This works well with plane seat belts too. They attach too bolts either side of the seat by a kinda caribina type clip. The clip comes undone real easy and can clip to each other joining both halfs of the belt. which i think makes it a bit more desireable to the lazier of us on here that cant be bothered to find some replacement webbing and a tailor or so ive been told ;)

[mariomurder]

very nice. 4 stars

[fancypenguin845]

one problem... i cant find a decent looking seatbelt to use.

[fancypenguin845]

couldnt u just use some kind of soldering torch to melt it together in places?

[naturalsam]

That is a good idea, but I was trying to get an adjustable belt, and melting together with heat would be permanent, right?.

[utgirl]

Hey thank you for showing me this site, and your ingenious and easy to follow way to build this belt. I have one sitting in my "want to make some day drawer" Maybe I will actually make one. . . Or do you sell these seatbelt belts? Thanks Amy

[GorillazMiko]

Holy cow.
Even though this has been done before, it was never done this way.
Amazingly done Instructable, just one of the best.
Great detail, instructions, pictures-- just.. wow.
Great job.
+1 rating.

[SlothOnSpeed]

I made two of these last year for my daughter. I decided that used webbing was too horrible to use, and my wheelchair doesn't work too well in junkyards, so I contacted my friendly neighborhood auto body shop. They sold me enough webbing for five or six belts for $5, in my choice of color. I was on my own for the belt buckles, so I used two from a small car that we were planning to junk. The rear seat belt buckles were smaller than those for the front, which made it more feminine and a little less, um, clunky. I didn't use staples, as you did in example 1, nor those snaps in example 2, which was brilliant. I ended up using an awl (your ice pick), spectra fishing line to sew with, and a large curved hand upholstery needle. I used an all purpose, solvent based hobby glue to hold the surfaces to be stitched together, and weighed it down until dry. Once dry and glued together (with the buckle in place), I sewed several rows of stitching using the awl to poke the holes for the needle to go through. The seat belt ended up working like a -- well, seat belt. My daughter was thrilled at the look of the belt, but the buckle turned out a bit too heavy, and would curl downward. I would take a photo, but the belt is now part of the archaeological dig that is her bedroom. Next time I think that I will use the buckle, etc., from a child's car seat. The narrower width of the strapping will allow her to use the belt loops in her jeans, which should prevent the belt from rolling. There are plenty of metallic looking car logo stickers on the market, which will hide the car seat manufacturer's name, and will lend a bit of authenticity to the piece. Since most of the car seat webbing comes in black, I will probably paint the buckle with metallic auto spray paint, which is available everywhere and will match her car. If I am in a hurry, I can use metallic nail polish, which comes in many of the same colors and is much cheaper. (You do have to brush it on, though) Thanks for putting up this Instructable. I didn't think that anyone but me would be interested in making a belt from a seat belt.

[naturalsam]

SOS - Belt width and buckle weight are limiting factors. I did look at some child seat belts, but they had buckles I did not care for. Painting to get the colour you want is also a good idea, especially for the girls. Thanks for the feedback.

[Sergeant Crayon]

Awesome Instructable! Was, generally speaking, perfect.
This is where I go for all my belting needs.

[cmccomas]

Are you joking me? That was Totally Freakin' Awesome. Loved it.

[heartrocks]

Wow great instructions. I can't wait to go to the car show sporting my new belt. Instructions are great...pictures fab. Thanks