LOL! Not me, I never fought with wrenches! LOL I was a journeyman pipe fabricator(higher pay grade than a fitter} and a journeyman pipe welder for Dow Chemical for many years. I also was the Senior Welded Construction Specialist(aka non-degreed Welding Engineer) for not quite as many years at the same plant before retiring.

Cool...I am a contract welder at Dow Corning myself.

The Dow plant here in Midland is the original "Mother Plant" of the company. Right across the highway is the original Dow Corning "Mother Plant" which is very small in comparision. Both companies Corporate Headquarters are also located here in Midland.

I would be worried about taking the temper out of the springs by welding to them, and with galvanized pipe you have to be careful not to inhale the fumes, but they look pretty good, do they seem a lot stronger?

Oic..u were Dow chemical.. not Dow Corning.

Yes, they are way, way stronger.

Yes, I worked for Dow Chemical.

Awesome idea, thanks for sharing! I've got a handful of "junk" double longs I was looking to tinker with and get back to usable shape. This is just the trick!

I think I am going to try some 3/8" inside diameter black pipe. That will be about 11/16" outside diameter. I just called the steel supply place in town and a 21' stick is $16, that would do well over a 200 springs or 100 traps. That is a pretty inexpensive remedy. I have to go to town on Monday so I will pick up a small piece to try first before I buy a whole stick.

May be Sleepy Creek would do that to ther 1.5 long spring!!!!!!!!!! WEAK/SLOW Trap

I got my experimental trap firing at 3 pounds. I had to bend the dog down quite a ways. I think a smaller diameter pipe is in order. Here is a link to Ed Medvetz's experiments with increasing and decreasing pan tension with bending the dog: http://paws-i-trip.com/?page_id=1169

And here is a picture of how much I had to bend the dog to get it into the 3 pound range, again I think a smaller diameter pipe might work better when you are switching to a paws-i-trip (PIT) pan:

Nicely done, GrantRichie. It's just fun to see an idea like this come together and work so well.

Grant you can remove the zink coating with Muratic acid.

Good to know. Since I don't have any muriatic acid, I think I will just buy some black pipe since it is very inexpensive and a small amount will do a great many traps. If a guy was to use the acid method, is there a certain time you would have to soak the galvanized pipe to remove the zinc coating?

You would want to place the pre cut pipe pieces in a plastic or glass bucket then cover with water just enough to cover the pieces. Then add muriatic acid until the solution starts to bubble. I will usually stir with a stick while standing up wind. Should only take between 2-4 minutes at normal temperatures. Remember to add acid to water and not the other way around, also personal protective clothing is a good idea. I have taken the coating off of a lot of chain this way, remember also that the metal will rust very fast after it has been pickled with acid.

Till it quits bubbling works on chain too, good to have in your supplies removes dip and a few other problem coatings.

It sure does!!! I was told to always put whatever I had in the acid into a baking soda/water mix and then rinse well to stop the acid's effects. Oh boy, that stuff cleans whatever is on traps/chains fast!!

Thanks for sharing, I've got a few that need worked over.

all "pipe" is sized by the I.D. Tube is sized by the O.D.

I use alot of tube building roll cages, ask your metal supplier if the have any 3/4 tube, .134 wall thickness C.R.E.W. thats cold rolled electical welded tube

Fascinating thread fellows. . .bookmarked!