Has anyone used the lightning helper springs to bring back life in their longsprings? You can get these for .95 for #1,1.5, 2 longsprings. I was also wondering how difficult they are to install.

I have used them, they definitely help and not hard to install.

Tack weld or drill and pop ribbit them into place. If you drill slow and be prepared to eat up bits.

I have used them, they definitely help and not hard to install. [/quote]
Tack weld or drill and pop ribbit them into place. If you drill slow and be prepared to eat up bits. [/quote]



The drilling part is what I was interested in. I would drill and rivet as I don't weld. I would get some good carbide drill bits and metal cutting oil for the job.

Got to sign off as it is getting late here in the east, but have another question and I will check in tomorrow.

Will the extra weight of adding helper springs slow down the trap too much on #11 and #2 dls traps?

Not that i have noticed

Thanks, that sounds great. Just don't want to be missing furbearers if I add them to traps with weaker springs.

It's a pretty simple reason the big dbls are not used much from a saftey aspect if I stick my hand in my bridger 3 coil I can get out by myself .... If I get my had caught in a Vic 4 dbls it is very difficult to escape by yourself

all you need to do to get out is put a foot on the left spring push it down, put your right foot on the other spring staying squarely on top of the trap. youve used your feet to compress the springs.
I suggest practising that a few times befor you need to do it in an emergency.
Jump up on both springs of the trap without tipping it over.

Sound like u have never used a setter and "c" clips. Get caught by a MB750 or CDR when waist deep in water and trap is anchored. How is that safe or easy to get out of. No matter what your using you gotta use your head.

I am slowly trying to convert my whole line to DLS.

My rat traps will most likely remain coils.

My grandpa was a trapper in the 50-80's. After he passed my dad saved all his traps. This was my first year trapping and I found alot of old Victor #2,#1.5 double long springs. I cleaned them up and they still work awesome. Still have a few more to clean up. My dad has shown me alot of thier old school tricks Im still learning more as I go. Some of the stretchers they were using for FOX and what not are still around with their mods on them so its pretty neat stuff. Have to say Im hooked on Double LOng Springs dont think I could switch to a coil spring. Its gonna be a good season next year

I am slowly trying to convert my whole line to DLS. [/quote]

At this seasons end I was at 95% coil springs, but am currently at 50% DLS.

This is funny, I went back to Long Springs for 4-5 years and now I'm going back to coils

Just curious, why the switch?

I love my longsprings. Still my favorite trap design and always will be.

I like the newly designed and marketed Bridger #3 modified Dogless design coil springs from MTP.

Most of the new innovative and exciting designs in traps are coming out in the coil spring models.
However PIT has some new Step Down Pans for the long springs that are innovative and exciting.
And of course the SVS #4 dogless
innovative and exciting

I'm looking to get some fox traps for this fall and need some help. We have a lot of rain in the fall along with freezing temps at night, and I will also be using these traps in the snow. I can't decide between getting duke 1.75's or sleepy creek #2 longsprings. What would you guys reccomend? I could get more dukes for the number but I think the sleepy creeks would stay working longer.

Thanks, Alex

#2 longs for me.

Helper springs on longs? I use 'em, not to add to holding power, the mechanics of longs do that by themselves. I added them just to make them a bit faster. I too am a fan of #2 longs, one of my favorite predator traps. I also use #11s for coons. Here are a few pics. Sorry for pic of mangy coyote at bottom, does show my booster springs on the #2s. I took a REALLY cheap mod on mine and just used a few wraps of wire at the bend to help hold the booster in place, that's all. Just want to keep it in place, dye and treat it with rest of trap and it lasts for years, seriously. I haven't replaced any yet and that's about 30 years of use, seriously! Fun thread, thanks for all the cool posts and pics, everyone. Oh and yes, you can take a singe long and make it a double long, but the shape of the jaws is key. Older style jaws that were symmetrical, work great. some though are not symmetrical, a little more squared off on one side and not on the other side, those do not work.
Jim

Here are couple of singles modified into doubles. First is a 1.5 single with symmetrical jaws, and a second spring added...to make this a #2 long. I also center swivel all my traps, and don't forget to do some filing on the pan & dog assembly, as well as squeeze the eye of the dog a bit to take the travel/play out of it.
Here is the #2 I made out of an old 1.5 long with symmetrical jaws...

Here is a #11 made out of a #1, again the #1 had symmetrical jaws...

shortening the travel of the pan and making the dog fit the pan notch better with a little filing work...


Couple of badgers in modified #2 longs...
first one you can barely see it but that's wire wraps at the bend of the springs, holding the boosters in place....





Some cat pics, all in #2 longs



Coyotes in #2 longs...




coons...well they are prevalent here and any predator set I make will take a coon also, and since coon are bread and butter of our fur market here I won't be upset to find them in predator sets...but means I have to lean toward smaller traps that will work for anything I can catch here too. can see wire wraps at bends of springs here too, holding the boosters...

and of course, #2s on fox...a great fox trap...



Again, sorry for the ugly coyote pic, but shows the hold of #2 long well adjusted, and the booster springs in place, held in place at bends by several wraps of wire...


Jim

Jim, nice pics and good info. I agree the symmetrical jaws work better for adding extra spring, but the non symmetrical will work just a little more awkward to set.