Make-shift Belt Sander From Portable Bandsaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4ER1AYtXm8
I needed a way to put an edge back on some butcher knives without spending hours with a sharpening stone. Here's how I converted my portable bandsaw into a belt sander. 

Comments

[sillywilly]

I think good common sense allowed you to first come up with this idea then make the belt connection/s using the best tape for the job! I like it! I have researched making my own leather stropping belt for final knife sharpening using my Harbor Freight 1" x 30" belt sander. Commercial belts cost too much besides, I like DIY solutions (if it makes sense). My thinking is to make a wedged taper joint by sanding both ends of leather to a feather edge, joining them with a hide (or equivalent) flexible glue then applying some fiberglass reinforced tape as a backing. I will also be using some abrasive paste to assist honing. What do "ible" fans think of this idea?

[Dustin Rogers]

That is the true definition if a scarf joint - both edges sanded to a taper. I think i refered to my mitered joint as a scarf joint, but the abrasive sheet it too thin to actually scarf.
I think your plan will work fine. That's actually the same method used for brazing bandsaw blades - scarf both ends and braze them together. It gives the joint more surface are without adding too much thickness to the blade/belt.

[Dustin Rogers]

Yeah, this was done in a hurry and was more of an after the fact video. I needed to get my butcher knives sharpened before the weekend rolls around. I've got a tripod, but was using my phone to video this. I plan to reshoot the video and go more in-depth on how to splice the belt together and show it in action.

[Kiteman]

That's a really good idea, though it would be nice to see it in action.

A suggestion for future videos; invest in a tripod. The image will be steadier, and you will have both hands free to demonstrate things.