|
Post by Clefus on May 18, 2004 19:38:35 GMT -6
I have ones that I bought from Paul which I use for water trapping...these babies are super tough....somebody must have gotten some cheapies....
I'll have some in the truck at PA if ya dont run into anybody else with em Stef....
|
|
|
Post by Zagman on May 19, 2004 5:22:43 GMT -6
I use neither.....
All trap chains have a MB Crunch proof on the end....I just squeeze the rivet on to the cable stake and pound it in.....
When I am first setting out on my vacation week and time is of the essence, the traps are already hooked up to the cable and in the truck when I need one to pound in.
When it is time to pull, I just cut the rivet, not the cable. I reuse maybe 10% of them the next year.....if they are in the middle of tillable land, which is rare, I will pull them.
I have a tough enough time opening split rings on my workbench....I cant imagine trying to do it when I am on the fly, in the rain, with the ring and cable pounded too far down into the mud and trying to get a small implement into the ring to open it enough to slide the cable out.
Rivets are cheap....
Zags
|
|
|
Post by CoonDuke on May 19, 2004 5:28:44 GMT -6
Zags, The more I think about it the more I am leaning towards rivets.
|
|
|
Post by trappnman on May 19, 2004 6:07:14 GMT -6
I've been using rivets, and can't say I've had many problems with them- I did have 1 open up once.
I've been thinking of going to split rings or quick links to make switching trapseasier- but when yo uthing about it- replacing a rivet is pretty quick.
although- cut them? Do you weld them shut? I don't and to remove one I just clamp one side with a visegrip, and twist with a heavy duty screwdriver placed inside the "loop".
Maybe I'll just stick with the rivets- after all, any money saved can be applied to chain... ;D
|
|
|
Post by CoonDuke on May 19, 2004 6:13:01 GMT -6
Steve, Vise Grip??? Screwdriver??? A cheap S-Hook tool will make your life so much easier. John Epler sells a pretty good one. Some brands have broken for me in the past.
|
|
|
Post by trappnman on May 19, 2004 6:17:06 GMT -6
Youse guys and your fancy store bought stuff..... ;D
I'm still running a gas computer here......
Actually, since I'm going to be changing a lot of rivets this summer- a "real" tool would be nice.....
|
|
|
Post by CoonDuke on May 19, 2004 6:23:43 GMT -6
I have 4 dozen new Duke 1.75s that I need to put chain and swivels on too. I was going to put cheap chain on, but PAMINK convenced me to go with the EXPENSIVE American stuff. What a salesman he is! LOL ;D
|
|
|
Post by thebeav2 on May 19, 2004 7:07:48 GMT -6
I don't use either.I just run the cable through the hole In the swivel and smash on a stop botton. If your cable comes with a already formed loop just use a J hook from the swivel to the loop. If I can't pull the stake or dig It out I just cut the cable and go.
Beav
|
|
|
Post by Zagman on May 19, 2004 7:30:55 GMT -6
I dont want to suggest throwing money away...but rivets cost pennies when you buy in bulk and I will sleep better knowing the new rivet I have on the trap has not been opened and closed 3-4-5 times and going through metal fatigue......
I have a small, cute set of bolt cutters that are small enough to fit in my bag.....in the truck I have jars of rivets so if I want to use the trap again because it is clean, I just dig out the piece of cut rivet in the swivel, put a new one on, squeeze her down, and I am ready to go.....
For me to have a tricked out $25.00 trap and chain strong enough to hold a grizzly, a new rivet is the least I can do....
"A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link"
Just me....
MZ
|
|
|
Post by trappnman on May 19, 2004 7:34:33 GMT -6
I'm not advocating reusing them- just think they are tough to cut!
|
|
|
Post by Zagman on May 19, 2004 12:42:03 GMT -6
ah-ha......gotcha. I would think it would be easier to cut them with bolt cutters than channel locks and a screw driver, though if you already have the tools with you and no bolt cutters, than you are all set....
What do I know?
|
|
|
Post by Maineman on May 19, 2004 12:59:44 GMT -6
I've used the split rings for my coon and fox sets but will be using the j-hook on my lil-griz traps for no other reason than theft prevention...
Zags said it best...With a $25 trap, a j-hook is the least of my worries...
|
|
|
Post by trappnman on May 19, 2004 13:17:03 GMT -6
...channel locks and a screw driver,Boy are you a rube! ....channel locks might be ok in New Paltz, but here they were passe several years ago-the real pros use vise grips... Actually Zags, I guess a "real" bolt cutter would be the easiest... don't own one- a hacksaw is my bolt cutters.... But if I start changing a lot more traps in the field, I think I might invest in a pair. Ya have to remember> I sledom have needed to open J-hooks in the field.
|
|
|
Post by mike692 on May 19, 2004 14:09:30 GMT -6
...channel locks and a screw driver,Boy are you a rube! ....channel locks might be ok in New Paltz, but here they were passe several years ago-the real pros use vise grips... I must be a real hick......I still use fencing pliers.....
|
|
|
Post by briankroberts on May 19, 2004 14:23:09 GMT -6
I only use a rivet at the swivel to attach my cable stakes , that way its theft proof unless they have a pair of bolt cutters handy.....B......
|
|
|
Post by Zagman on May 19, 2004 14:34:49 GMT -6
BK: precisely...had not even remembered to mention that.
SInce I went to cable, my trap thefts are down. Have had 3 times where the coyote is gone but the trap is still there.
Driving the hookup below ground level really helps with this....that's why it is sometimes difficult for me to find the swivel/cable hookup and have to use my digging hammer to get at them by digging a trench next to it and exposing the hookup....
If this was a split ring driven below ground, I would never be able to manipulate it to open in and remove my trap.
TMan: go on harborfreight.com and look under bolt cutters...they have a bunch on sale....the little cute ones like I use and easilty fit in your bag.....they are only like $10-$15 per pair.....go get and throw the hacksaw away........
ZigZag
|
|
|
Post by briankroberts on May 19, 2004 15:23:45 GMT -6
Zag I do just as you do, drive the loop and swivel below ground a little, if I pull it to set it I can barely see the swivel, When I'm ready to pull I use the tip of a pic ax as a lever, unless the ground is frozen. If I don't have the pic with me ( I use a 4 wheeler and its strapped on it) then I dig them out with my trapping shovel. I don't reuse rivets either, but I don't take my cable stakes off my traps often either. I clean ( without lye) and dye and wax with them on there. I use 1/8" cable and never have any fraying at all, I think having all the cable in the ground helps and shock springs and lots of swivels don't hurt anything either. I do weld all of my swivels shut also, just did the last of them this year, It may not be nessacary but it don't hurt anything either, besides I had to justify that new welder ;D .....B.....
|
|
|
Post by Clefus on May 19, 2004 19:16:19 GMT -6
Trappnman....go with Zag..get a cheap set of bolt cutters.....they might say "china"..but sure can cut a lot of stuff.... ;D
I just use the split rings for water trapping or I have some drags with chain that I can slap on a trap if I cant get stakes in...that way I'm not commiting a certain amount of traps just to drags....
|
|
|
Post by trappnman on May 20, 2004 7:40:59 GMT -6
Yeah, next trip to Fleet Farm...a lot of chains to change with the vise grips, screwdriver and 3-4 bleeding fingers......
|
|
|
Post by z on May 20, 2004 8:24:25 GMT -6
Insert a short, stout screwdriver through swivel body........
Grab tip of j-hook with linesman pliers....
Apply opposite pressure to both, opens right up! Zz
|
|