LONGSPRING modification post..w/ PICTURES!!

[lynxcat]

The V notch is what gives the tension..a disc would cut a straight lip. havent tried it tho..the wire wrapping BINDS on the pan..2 or 3 up downs takes the "rough spots" out and leaves a fairly smooth DRAG on the pan..YUP it does rust..havent had one break in the last 5 years... as for the gloves one can bent the wire "twist" up to the frame..no biggie.
lynx

mustelameister said:

Excellent pics. Thanks Brent.

Two questions:

1-Have you tried a Dremel tool with sanding disc to groove what the file did? When I nightlatch I've switched over to the Dremel.

2-Have you ever used plastic tie wrap (zip strips) instead of the wire? I haven't, but in thinking about taking the plan slop out this am, I was thinking the 14 ga or 16 ga wire you're using will in time rust, break, rip rubber gloves, etc. Thought I'd go out and tinker with some black zip strips this afternoon during the Packer game and see if that would work too.

All in all, an excellent pictorial on modifying the double longsprings. Thanks!

[lynxcat]

As for the springs ... with weaker ones MOST can be strengthened by placing the spring OVER a steel pipe...then a couple of whacks with a heavy hammer and the springs are re strengthened... BETTER if one can take the springs off..but more of a pain..

romans117 said:

Brent,
I am impressed dude. I have been waiting a year for this post and am not disappointed. Are weak springs an issue? Can you find replacement springs for them?

[trappnman]

does that pipe trick last on bigger traps?

I have some #1s, that I have to do the pipe trick on, and it doesn't last very long at all.

[lynxcat]

It seems to do OK Steve..dont remember having to redo any of my users...course I'm gettin weaker every year... lol

[trappnman]

do you do it wilh a large enough pipe to get a distinct "bow" at the bend?

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I'll tell you guys forget the dremels and 3 point files. Just bend the dog up at the end.

The notch fills up with wax or dip and get dull and rounded with use and rust.

Brent I'm not trying to steal your thunder here but the modified "miles" is superior to the original miles.

Bill Ilchik is the first one to just bend the dog up as far as I know.

Steve I've always used the pipe on my 3's and 4's and as long as it's a good spring to begin with it works great.

I have had springs that just flatten out and won't take the re-springing well. They are just bad runs at the manufacturer.

Throw them away or replace the springs. Or buy Blake and lambs.

Joel

[lynxcat]

Joel..I AM going to try the bent up dog..I assume one STILL files the tooth on the edge of the pan correct? As for the wax..I ALWAYS clean the teeth when setting the trap..AND inspect and give a stroke if needed every year..Not a big issue..no bigger an issue than cleaning...dying..etc.
Brent PS...if you're getting OLDER do NOT buy blake and lambs.. ;D

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

Oh yeah you do the pan the same way, get the upward notch that mates with the upward bend in the dog.

Try to bend the dog near the end, if you bend it halfway back it will bottom out on the hump.

It's pretty easy to get a hold of the end of it with lineman pliers and just bend it up at the tip.

You can increase or decrease your pan tension with the amount of bend as well.

Joel

[trappnman]

Joel- I got longsprings from the 50s, where my dad had bent up the dog for just such a purpose. I think its been around as long as longsprings.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I think its been around as long as longsprings.

Now there's a play on words, probably not since newhouse though. lol!!

I'd use some of my newhouses except for the pan/dog setup.

I think a pos i trip setup might be the thing for them.

Joel

[lynxcat]

Steve... for DECADES the only way to adjust pan tension on longsprings has been to bend the dog..down for less...UP for more... the NOTCH is what makes all the difference.

[makete]

Thanks Lynxcat!!!!!!!!!!!! Excellent post. This is the type of instuction I need. ;D Lots of pictures. Show me and I may get it. Tell me and duh? Wish there were more posts like this. Making sets or modifying traps. Some of us are not all that smart and need a show and tell . Thanks again.

[JWarren]

I'm with you on the miles trigger, bending the dog is great for some but when you make catches you have to rebend it and readjust the trap where with the miles you just straighten the dog, also-the bent dog method has a longer pan travel which some people love but I don't because the chance of an obstruction blockng the pan goes up, to each there own

for the slop I just did 2 whacks with a hammer to squeeze the pan slot tighter, then again I don't deal in used traps and permanent mods like that cause people to want to pay less

[lynxcat]

jwarren said:

I'm with you on the miles trigger, bending the dog is great for some but when you make catches you have to rebend it and readjust the trap where with the miles you just straighten the dog, also-the bent dog method has a longer pan travel which some people love but I don't because the chance of an obstruction blockng the pan goes up, to each there own

for the slop I just did 2 whacks with a hammer to squeeze the pan slot tighter, then again I don't deal in used traps and permanent mods like that cause people to want to pay less

Good point.. I always have a file in my pack..fencing pliers as well.. AND have had to straighten many dogs.. pan travel..I DONT like... SNAAAAAAAP is what I like... ;D

[trappnman]

those old blake and lambs were the best springs made. I'm using some #1 everyday- and tey are 40-50 years o ld and are as strong as the day they came out of the box.

[Wright Brothers]

Brent, Do you do anything to the area where the top spring eye contacts the jaw sides? I've heard and tried different things and would like your take on that. Thanks, Wright

Thanks for the good post.

[lynxcat]

I never have... PLEASE do tell...

[Wright Brothers]

Smooth up jaw corner/edges to make faster. My experience is with 1s, 1 1/2s, and 11s.

I did start as a kid with bigger DLSs and was told right off, "those are outdated".

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

when you make catches you have to rebend it

Wow, I can't say that I recall many if any bent dogs on my longsprings.

Lot's of them on coilsprings.

I file mine pretty close, there isn't much play at all.

Snap is what I like as well.

I'll tell you what I like for longsprings is a Paws-i-trip pan, you want snap that's what you get, no slop either.

I put PIT's sized for #5 Bridgers on my 3n's and 4's they are perfect for an exposed cat set on the 3n's. I braze a 3.5 inch pan on the 4's.

Eliminates the need for a shingle.

Joel

[ohiyotee]

I'll tell you what I like for longsprings is a Paws-i-trip pan, you want snap that's what you get, no slop

You got that right !!!!!! Joel is right