It is best to practice on some cheap machetes first. An 80 grit belt on a sander removes steel fast, but it does it much cooler than using a fine grit. Don't do the SOD until you have mastered the technique of not grinding off the point. Good luck. A few basic pointers:

1 Try to keep the belt perpendicular to the edge.

2 Try to maintain the same angle all the way down the blade including the belly toward the point. Keep it moving in one long fluid motion.

3 Do not drag the point across the belt. Remove the blade from the belt when the point reaches the outside edge of the belt.

4 Practice this technique with the sander off to be sure you have it down.