4 Coil or Not

[T-Bar]

Dj, I am taking your word for not necessarily needing 4 coils, I'll wait to see if I need to do it or not. That other post just made me curious to see what guys do.

I guess I had just assumed that you really "needed" a 4 coiled trap to hold a coyote.

[dj88ryr]

I am thinking you will get a lot of impassioned answers and reasons for or against. Like I said, you don't NEED to 4 coil traps to hold Yotes, you only have to decide if YOU think it is nessasary.

[T-Bar]

I understand what you mean DJ, I just didn't want it to look like I didn't believe what you said by doing this post.

I guess I'd rather not hassle with 4 coiling unless it were totally necessary, or someone proved to me that it was.

I suppose that might spark some good debate ;D

[dj88ryr]

Just wait and see...LMAO!!! ;D

[Timber]

Some of mine are and some are not 4- coiled. I don't think you "need" to 4 coil unless you start adding lamination and even then you can get buy with new music wire springs or next size up spring.

When I do 4 coil it is usually because I am adding lamination and base plating at the same time and just add one more thing to the mess.

You have to remeber whenever you start messing with traps that you will create new problems as well as fixing old ones. With four-coiling this is usually a loose jaw that can sit slightly higher than it did with 2 coils or the trap frame bending from the extra tension, but this is also an easy fix.

I have held countless coyotes in 2 coiled traps so don't buy the "you have too." line. I do prefer a 4 coiled trap in the late season say after the new year as the area I live tends to get a lot of snow and frozen crust and the extra strength helps pop them out of the ground, but once again I have caught many coyotes in jan.-feb. with 2- coiled traps also.

If you do 4 coil I suggest you also base plate them at the same time. IMO base plating will get you more bang for your buck.

Tim

[trappnman]

No- you do not need 4 coils.

BUT..... once you start messing with the trap- as mentioned laminations, etc- you most likely will need to four coil the trap. A trap is simply a machine- beefing up any part of it- means you need more power (ie 4 coiling) to run the machine.

[thebeav2]

I Laminate all my cat fox and coyote traps I don't own a 4 coiled trap.Never seen the need In my situation.

Now If I was trapping In adverse weather conditions I would probably go with 4 coiled traps just so they would come up out of the ground a bit better.

Beav

[old yeller]

Here's my $.02. If your targeting yotes & cats, use a #3 stock except for chain & swivels. If there's a chance for fox as a nontarget use offset #3's. Never 4 coiled a trap & never will.

[chub618]

i have not 4 coiled anything yet and dont intend to unless i see something that tells me i need to... i have upgraded the springs on my traps to next size higher music wire though

[Creek]

I bought some factory 4-coiled #3 Bridgers last year. They were not laminated or baseplated. Strong? very. They should not be used unless lamination is added. really hard on feet . My best trap? #3 Bridger 2-coiled.

[Edge]

My #3 Dukes need 4 springs.......they are used in snow and no where else.

The Montanas will go out 2 coiled(have held beaver and otter,no problem so far,coyotes,I'll let ya know next week.
I have 1,65 springs ready to add to any trap when it starts to freeze up;as was mentioned,*that* is where the power is needed.

The 1.75's have 2 springs,but they are relatively new and dont see much of winter or even late season.

I have not seen a need to baseplate the Montana yet,not even fully 4 coiled,but it wasnt set up that way for long.

Edge

[lynxcat]

There again...to each his own...Virtually ALL of my "large" traps hence #3's and larger are modified...coils are 4coiled. Does it make them better..DARN RIGHTS IT DOES...at least in the trappers eye.. ;D But on the other hand I have NO doubt that it will and does increase my catch...maybe only 5% or so. That may sound like an acceptable "loss"...BUT..take my seasons catch of 40 cats(rounded up one.. ;D) 5% is the equivelent of 2 cats!!! At 300-400 per cat...you do the math.
later
lynx

[trappnman]

You aren't getting off that easily- ;D

So you think that an unmodifed #4 gives you 5% less success rate than a fully modified #4?

Why? How?

[z]

How does baseplating a trap enhance the need for 4-coiling?

If one baseplates, That means one must laminate also?

Sorry, Disagree........

I would think the need for 4 coiling is the users preferance coupled with the season and the conditions the traps are to be used under, AND the length of chain used.

I own over 150 fully modified traps, Most are 4 coiled. Just my preferance!

Zz!

[trappnman]

It starts like this- either laminations or 4 coils are put on a trap.

If 4 coils are used- laminations are soon added, to reduce cutting and damage and to, in some folks opinion, hold more.

If laminations are put on first, 4 coils soon follow because the laminations slow a trap down.

And once 4 coils are put on- baseplating and/or welding the tips are needed- to keep the base from bending and popping the jaws. Baseplating doesn't follow laminations, but it darn sure follows 4 coiling.

But the question is- does a 4 coil trap reduce losses over a properly designed 2 coil trap?

[blakcoyote]

I prefer 2 coil over 4,just for the simple fact there easier to set and bed for me.I just replace the coils of the trap when I laminate,and bump up to the next size up,in music wire.I base plate all my traps,for one reason and that being to get the swivel on the bottom of the trap and centered.It helps reduce a foot sliding from one side to the other in the jaws when the animal is fighting the trap and I think it helps reduce pull outs by eliminating that sliding movement.Not that I havent had pull outs,but I feel there reduced considerably.Plus I think it gives better swiveling capabilities.

[Deadfall_Paul]

I four coiled a few back in the late 70's 'cause I was just starting to run into coyotes in my area then and everybody was saying how 'yotes tear up traps.

I thought it would be needed as I had no previous experience with them and didn't want pull outs.

Well, like everyone has said, that led to laminating the jaws to prevent damage which on the #2 victors was like using a knife blade for a jaw without it, that along with a few other mods.

They worked just fine but I did notice that I wasn't losing any 'yotes in my un-four coiled traps, mostly being the Vics and #2 montgomerys.

IMO, again as others have already said, I believe the center swivel helped more with holding fur than anything else so that's all I do now.

By the way, I had no damage even to greys with the four coiled #2 vic.


Just my experiences.

Paul

[bobCATching]

Since I laminated all my #3 traps years ago, I use 4-coiled traps. I just feel the laminated #3's require a little "help" with the extra weight on the jaws. I'm comfortable with them and like the results. From what I'm hearing, smaller traps may not need it? makes sense, less steel to move.
Steve

[MickMcLaughlin]

I don't four coil.If I replace springs I go to Music wire or after market springs,but I have never felt four coiling would have helped me hold more coyotes.Just to explain to some people if you fourcoil you really should baseplate,(four coils adds more pressure on trap),laminations can be done to four or two coiled traps.I have to say fooling with traps is not my favorite thing to do,so I shorten chains,file dogs,add swivels ,dye,wax and get'em in the ground.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I've held a lot of coyotes in old weak longsprings years ago. I don't get to concerned about holding a coyote.

That old cat has a slippery paw however.

Joel