waxing traps......

[Flintman]

Does anyone use a thermometer when waxing there canine traps? Whats the ideal temp?

If you don't use a thermometer what do you use as an indicator so the wax doesn't get to hot?

Thanks !

[livefreeordie]

Luckily, I have never had a flash over, and I haven't used a thermometer, but probably should, I wait till the wax just starts to smoke and cut the heat back to a point it doesn't smoke, you have to really keep an eye on it, as I have been told, once it starts to smoke, you are real close to trouble.

[Bob Jameson]

I have gone to using a thermometer in the last 5 years or so. I have scortched some wax and had some problems in the past so I find it very dependable and keeps things in a good range for me. I like 195 to 215 degrees for my wax temp.This seems to be about right for what I do.

You can over heat wax and ruin the bucket or your container if not careful and I have done that a time or two when not paying attention to how hot it was. You try to get your bundles of traps all wired up etc and time gets away from you until you can smell that bad wax odor after it gets too hot then its too late. With better regulators and turkey fryers etc you can calibrate things much better then the old days of open fires. A thermometer can keep you in the safe limits no doubt.

[coonhangman1]

I've used a "double boiler" system for dying wax. A smaller pot of wax, submerged into boiling water. That SHOULD mean the wax can't get over 212 degrees? Right?

[John56]

I use an electric fry daddy, just set the temp at 215 and dip.

[Bristleback]

After a near awful accident several years ago......I've since used a digital thermometer.......probe....2' cable-cord to control panel......I run mine at 220 degrees......so I'd think from all the other input......215-220 is where one needs to be.....I know I get a nice thin even coat. I let my traps "soak" in the wax for 3 minutes.......thermometer has a timer and a HI temp alarm....very handy.....allows you to tinker in between batches........always right there, maybe attaching some cable stakes....or new name tags.....just making good use of time.

[bobwendt]

I`ve never used a thermometer, just heat to smoke point and then back off. I dip the trap in till it comes out clear, i.e. not a thick opaque coat, but a clear coat. I have two electic hot plates I set the oblong dipping pan on. it is big and deep enough I can do three #3`s or six # 1 and 1/2s at a time. generaly by the time I lift the 3rd trap in ,on the number threes, and stall maybe a minute, the first trap is ready. I just use an old coat hanger to lift in and out and set them on an old box trap to cool. about 40-50 degreees seems best. if the ambient outside temp is too hot they go in and the coat is too thin. if too cold outside they want to take forever in the pot and then cool too fast and too thick. you`ll get the hang of it. It`s like putting up a fur perfect, mostly in the eye of the be-holder.

[romans117]

coonhangman1 said:

I've used a "double boiler" system for dying wax. A smaller pot of wax, submerged into boiling water. That SHOULD mean the wax can't get over 212 degrees? Right?

Same here. Open flame too.

[Flintman]

Thanks everyone for the advice it's much appreciated.

[Wright Brothers]

Dbl boiler here too, on propane. I put two bricks in an old canner gets the wax bucket to the right height. I have to add water as it boils out. Hotter was faster, but the dbl boiler seems safer.

Keep a lid handy to cover the wax pot, wear glasses, and tie the dog. just in case.

[braveheart]

I heat my traps in a old oven.Pull them out and put them in a cake pan of smoking wax leaving the upper jaws out.The traps are hot out of the oven it is dip and go as fast as you can move.

[trappnman]

Turkey cooker for me. Get it so it just smokes and traps keep it at that level.

Bob, I used to lay them on cardboard, but the excess wax sometimes can be a pain,with the traps sticking.

So I put out 2 ladders, and hang the traps from pipes between them . lets the last little drips fall free (on to cardboard, it does save the grass)

[bobwendt]

setting them on the 1 by 1 wire mesh box trap lets them drain good and not stick. I put a dogfood bag under the box trap and then heave the waxy bag along with the drippings. it waxes up the box trap good ,on the floor, but the first coon cleans that right up. I set the wax pot up right next to the box trap, so when lifting out a quick shake shale and then onto the box trap

[Flintman]

Thanks once again for the ideas.

[Wright Brothers]

Thw wax cardboard , cut in strips, makes great starter for the wood stove. Can make waterproof stick match container, or ...

In the 80s we could get waxed cardboard shipping containers, great ice fishing huts

[Bob Jameson]

I have been doing up waxed cardboard strips for a long time now. I use them also for fire starters in the house and on the road I carry them in a zip lock baggie in my truck and a few in my coat pockets for that just in case deal.Dont get many waxed boxes any more. On occasion we do one or two at the veggie market from things they discard from time to time.

I get some old bread racks from behind the stores from folks that I have accumulated a bunch over the years. I turn them upside down so to keep the traps out of the grass or gravel and let them drain through onto some cardboard or old dog food sacks as was mentioned.