I checked in the archives, but couldn't find a clear answer to my question so I'm going to ask. I know a lot of you folks nightlatch and I've decided to give it a whirl on a few dozen new traps I bought for this year. I filed one down and it looks pretty good and the pan is nice and level, but the one thing I'm unsure of is how the dog is supposed to click into place. When I push the pan down the trap fires instead of clicking into the groove I've filed into the pan...however, if I hold the jaws open with one hand and push the pan down, it'll click into place without firing and when depressed further fires nice from this position. My question is should the pan click into place without holding the jaws open? I'll try to figure out how to get a pic posted on here of my progress. I may have something a little goofed up...maybe someone can set me in the right direction. Thanks.

Don't mean to hijack your thread, but maybe someone could answer my question on nightlatching too while they are at it.

I have been trying to nightlatch a few traps and my old hand don't seem to be steady enough to hold the dremel tool steady and it goes all over the place ... can anyone throw in a simpiler way so don't screw the dogs up?

ibilly ... I had the same problem with one I did and I found the cut was wide enough ... so might be part of your trouble ...

Garry-

Hey Garry...I wish I could help you out on the Dremel thing, but I can't think of an easier way. I tried filing, but for the amount of traps I'm trying to do...it's just going to take too long. I know what you're saying about the cut, but I'm afraid to file anymore off the pan til I get this figured out. By the way...my son is plowing through your book and loves it!!! I wish he'd take his school work that seriously;)

i use a metal file take 5 or 6 strokes and on to the next trap

I agree with using a file. I bought a new file and about 3 passes on the dog to square up the edges, Then stand the file blade vertical and 3 passes on the face of the pan notch, Then 3 passes with the 1/8" edge of the file on the pan notch itself. And you're done. It takes about a minute per trap and everything is consistent. Then I go through and test each one by setting it. On some, an additional pass with the file edge in the pan notch is needed.
I did 90 traps in one afternoon.

Hey Bic...are you keeping the dog square or filing it at a slight angle? I've heard of people doing it both ways. I like how the traps I've done are sitting...just not sure of how to get the dog into place on the pan without firing it other than holding the jaws open.

Look at your notch, it is probably not square or your notch is too short causing the dog to "blow-by" the nightlatch. Make sure you file the bottom of the notch slightly toward the far end of the pan.

I tried using a dremmel for nightlatching, it is hard to hold steady and you end up cutting notches too deep and too long. Started using a small vicegrip and mill file and 4 or 5 strokes your done. Use the vice-grip as a guide for the depth of notch desired.

Thanks Canine...I may have the notch too deep now. I kept filing it in trying to get the dog to stop in the notch instead of blowing by as you stated. I'll go give it another shot.

i cut my latches on the end of the dog, only takes a few strokes with a good file.
maybe i can dig trap out and get some pic's if it would help

I also helps to file the end of the dog square and slightly tapered back so just the end clicks in.

A few from the ARCHIVES-
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/444798/What_s_Night_latching.html#Post444798
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthrea...html#Post775843
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/817945/night_latch_question.html#Post817945
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/846507/Trap_Adjustment_Video.html#Post846507

I too had difficulties with the dremel...for one, after the first couple it no longer cuts square. I found it easier to just use a dang file.

After much trial and error I finally got things running smoothly. I was cutting the notch in the pan too high. You were right DanielE...that Dremel is just too hard to control for the small amount being removed. I switched over to a small file and that took care of it. Thanks for all the input.

easiest way that i have found is i have a file that is just slightly larger than the pan notch is, i just hold the file flat against the notch and make a few strokes and thats it. takes no time at all.

That's what I ended up doing Hoffy. I then took a small file that I use for ignigtion work and fine tuned the notch. I'll tell you what guys...I should have done this years ago!!! What a big difference it makes.