Two Questions Before I Begin Building My Traps....

[Jeremy S]

I'm getting together the supplies to build a few swim-throughs, guillotine doors, and colonies for my first season. I was wondering if people experienced with building their own traps could answer a couple questions...

1) I've haven't worked with 1/4" round stock much. For the people that bend it are you using heat and a jig, just a jig, or just whatever you can?
2) A lot of traps I've seen commercially available have what look similar to a key rings as guides for the mechanism that lead to the pan. I was wondering the technical name for this hardware? I've looked at trap parts websites and fencing supplies and haven't found anything that looks right.

Thanks to anyone who can help.
 

[Humptulips]

You just about have to build a jig but if you use heat you can build a simpler jig. The standard jig with just four corners to bend around will not work if you try to cold bend.
I cold bend but I started out heating to bend. If you are just doing a few heat is probably the way you want to go. I use to use acetylene torch with a welding tip for heat. You can use a propane torch but it takes a long time to heat the part enough to bend.

Those are just rings. I am not sure where you can get them. I don't use them myself. I have built a few traps like that in the past and I bent them myself.

Too bad you didn't make the Rendezvous. We had a pretty good demo on just this subject.

[lokidog]

Are those hog rings?

[Jeremy S]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll try heat with DIY furnace for the bends. As far as the rings I figured I could make something although it seems like a perfectly round circle might be a bit smoother.  I wanted to come out to the rendezvous but this time of year my weekend schedule is crazy. I'm really going to try to come out to the next one though.

[Humptulips]

Are those hog rings?

He is talking about the round rings that are used on swing door traps to lock the doors closed when sprung.

[Bigshooter]

I think those rings are just big washers.

[Jonathan_S]

I think those rings are just big washers.

I just buy little rings from the hardware store and slip them onto both frames before welding closed.

They are much smoother than washers in my experience

[jasnt]

http://www.strapworks.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=SSOR

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Lehigh-200-lb-x-3-16-in-x-1-1-2-in-Nickel-Plated-Welded-Steel-Rings-2-Pack-7065S-12/100121681

[Jeremy S]

http://www.strapworks.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=SSOR

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Lehigh-200-lb-x-3-16-in-x-1-1-2-in-Nickel-Plated-Welded-Steel-Rings-2-Pack-7065S-12/100121681

Perfect thank you!

[jasnt]