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Belt Sander Belt Messenger/Laptop Bag

Belt Sander Belt Messenger/Laptop Bag
Yes indeed, a laptop bag made from the belt of a belt sander. I know how excited you are but.....      Why use the old belt?


-The belt is toughER than nails. Aluminum oxide is incredibly tough and the thick canvas backing is everything-resistant.
-Recycling is both trendy and good for the environment, depending on your priorities.
-You can write something callous on the bag and call it 'abrasive'
-But most importantly, its a loophole in the Beltabrand belt reuse challenge and is indeed, a belt by name. Woo loopholes!
-Edit: The tie down strap is also a repurposed belt.

Checkpoint: You know you want to make one of these bags.
 
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Step 1Tools, Materials, and Skills

Tools, Materials, and Skills
A note....... While this instructable may be read as a guide to creating your own bag with different dimensions all materials and instructions pertain to the specific bag I have created. It fits my 13 inch Macbook perfectly and was made to do so. If you plan on making something larger, plan ahead, and prepare to modify designs. I believe in you!



MATERIALS:
 -One 6x48 belt. Composition of the belt is irrelevant but the blue belt I used is aluminum oxide. Silicon carbide belts are brown; it's a cosmetic decision.
-Strong thread.
-At most, one yard of tough cloth. A second softer material for the inside is optional.
-A zipper.
-A tie down strap.
-Plenty of paper

TOOLS:
-Scissors you are not terribly fond of. The belt will most likely scratch them a bit while cutting.
-A tough needle.
-Some sort of punch. A finishing nail and a hammer does the trick.
-A chunk of scrap wood
-A good square. You wont need measurements more precise than half an inch. 
 -A good felt tip pen
-A nice workspace. Preferably one with some music playing.
-One trusty sewing machine, preferably with thread as you wont get far without it.
-An iron will help you flatten some edges you'll need to sew but it isnt strictly necessary.

SKILLS:
-While making a bag is not rocket science you will need a sewing machine. I asked my mother for help with that 'cause she's cool, but not so cool that she'll go to your house and help you. If you do not have access to the machine or the skills you can get by with needle and thread skills. But that would take forreeeeeevvveeerrrrrrrrr.
-Basic needle and thread skills. (Which end does the thread go in and which part is the pointy part?)



Checkpoint: Do you have these things? They are pretty necessary.


Advance to the next level!
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18 comments
Jan 4, 2011. 5:39 PMkatrina.maile says:
Innovative idea, incredible execution, and beautiful work! Honestly, not only is this strong, functional, and made out of a super-cool recycled material, but it's really urban and smooth looking. Cheers!
Jan 3, 2011. 4:43 PMak49er says:
The bag would be durable if it was made of NEW belts, but would fail as a bag because it will eat through what ever clothing and/or skin is nearby. And you aren't alowed to walk through the parking lot near my car :) . I would recommend using an old box-cutter blade instead of scissors, as those scissors are basically toast after this. You just lay the sander belt abrasive-side down onto a piece of cardboard and cut right through.
Jan 3, 2011. 8:12 AMinquist says:
How does it wear? Does the increased exterior roughness help prevent slipping and sliding, i.e. while riding a bicycle?
Jan 3, 2011. 8:13 AMinquist says:
Well, I just read the FAQ on your last page. "The bag does need readjusting every once in awhile, but I have ridden several miles (by bike) without it becoming an issue."
Jan 2, 2011. 7:33 AMDarklordx11 says:
I'm not sure I'd be willing to put my thousand dollar polished aluminum laptop anywhere near a single piece of sandpaper, much less a bag made of the stuff...
Jan 2, 2011. 9:39 AMvotecoffee says:
I agree. Neat bag, but shouldn't have featured with the laptop. Man did I cringe seeing that poor macbook encompassed by scuffing death belts :O
Jan 3, 2011. 7:56 AMvotecoffee says:
Likelihood of contact with outside of bag is still too high IMHO. I think this is a neat instructable, has an interesting look. If you want to expose your laptop to risk, completely cool. Wasn't trying to down on you. BUT... there are issues with such a bag. First, messenger bags are worn against the body. This will scuff clothes, some more than others. If you wear durable clothes, this is less of a problem and is likely the case with the style of the bag.
Jan 3, 2011. 6:50 AMDarklordx11 says:
No, I read the instructable, and I see that it is lined.

I also understand that the outside of the bag is made of rough sandpaper...

My complaint is that I am unwilling to risk the high likelihood that the outside of the bag will come in contact with the expensive contents.

As I said, "thousand dollar polished aluminum laptop" and the outside of the bag is made of sandpaper.

No thanks.
Jan 4, 2011. 2:29 AMDarklordx11 says:
I'm not trying to pick an argument and I don't think you are wrong for saying so.

I'm simply saying that I, in my personal opinion, would be unwilling to put my thousand dollar polished aluminum laptop near any bag made of hard sand particles adhered to cloth belts and sewn into a messenger bag.

Its still a neat project, and I think it is a good reuse of a material that often ends up in the trash for most people. But my personal opinion is that its far too risky for me, I would be too worried about scratches to use it.

I don't need to own a bag to have an opinion about it.
Jan 2, 2011. 3:48 PMelectratech says:
There are plenty of duarable hard wearing cheap materials to use...why choose something that will likely damage the item its protecting?

Also old / worn out sander belts tend to be used cut up & used for hand sanding, so are not wasted in my workshop NOT A GOOD INSTRUCTABLE Sorry mate..
Jan 2, 2011. 1:02 PMcyprian916 says:
Great!!... that is if you want your laptop to be more scratched than all get-out.
Jan 2, 2011. 10:59 AMKenton says:
If you line the inside with a durable cloth, I don't see why sandpaper would be a problem for the laptop.
Jan 2, 2011. 9:46 AMMarshyTheKid says:
Interesting idea, but I think I'll pass. Too high of a risk for ruining clothes and anything large in it, like laptops.
Jan 2, 2011. 7:50 AMGreen Silver says:
Now thats one hard wearing bag, but maybe not for use if you've got sunburn...

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Author:needs_more_to_do
I have my own metal/wood shop (in my garage) and have been randomly making things I find super sweet since birth. I'm currently in AP Art 3 in my senior year of high school and would like to major in ...
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