I've been looking for some good sturdy 330 trap setters. Looking on Minnesota Trapline Products I found the,Sleepy Creek Model 4 Trap Setters. Are they any good. They look well built in the pictures?

Best non locking tong setters.

I don't know what the name of it is but I have one of those that look like a caulking gun and it works great for me.

I bought a set of the SC #4 setters because they claimed they were also good for longsprings up to #5.

They absolutely sucked for setting longs.

I can't use bodygrips for general fur trapping, but I could use them back when I did ADC. The #4 setters worked very well on my 330's.

If you want my setters I'll make you a deal.

Mike

I've been using the Sleepy Creek Setters for a couple years. Nice and light for packing. I almost had the plastic grip slip off once so be careful you don't end up eating that thing if it comes flying out.

I also used mine to compress #4LS doing some spring replacement this summer and they worked good.

Thanks, I think I'll get some. As cheap as they are(compared to others) ill just by new ones. ( But thanks for the offer Mike)

I also have the Sleepy Creek's and really like them. I took the plastic handles off, scuffed and degreased the metal, then half filled the handles with windshield urethane sealant and slid them back on. They don't come off any more and they are plump and fit my hands comfortably.

Caulking gun type or a 6 foot piece of rope, best there is, period. RTS has a fantastic caulking gun type. I keep a rope in my parka pocket.

Take a 6 foot piece of rope, put a non adjustable loop on one end. Put the tag end into the loop you just made, now put it over you boot and cinch it up tight. Take a 330, run the rope UP through the bottom spring eye, and UP through the top spring eye. Now do the exact same thing again. Make sure the trap is just above your boot and pull on the tag end of the rope. It will compress the springs until they touch, put the safety on. Your done, now move over and do the other side the same way.
I use a rope made for tying a boat to a dock. It's smooth and braided, used it for the last 10 years or more. It needs to be about 1/2 thick so it doesn't slip between the crimped end of the spring eye. As long as the trap is sitting close to the boot and you don't grab the rope more than one time during the compressing action, you won't hit your hands or feet with the spring should it somehow mess up. It's lighter and more compact than the caulking gun setter's, but they both have their place.

Get a caulking gun type for the house or truck, but keep a rope in your pocket. Pre-set all your 330 springs at home with the caulking gun type, and use the rope if you snap one on accident while at the trap site or have to remove a animal and use the trap again. You don't want to be trapped and cabled to a 100 foot tree with your tongs out of reach, or worse, trapped on a drowning rig cabled to a gunny sack full of rocks on the bottom of a fast moving river. Hope this helps you and others.

Here's all you need

Paul has this in Basic Sets forum

https://trapperman.com/trapperman/Basic_Sets_Conirope.html

THIS is what we are all supposed keep in our pocket anyway for WHEN a hand or foot gets stuck and we can't get to the metal setters.

Gotta be said: For the average man of average strength and using proper technique there is nothing faster nor easier than using your hands for setting big body grippers. Invest in learning proper technique and it never gets accidentally left at your last set.

What us it and how does it work

Learn to push down one side of the spring towards the ground or your knee and flip on the safety clip. No setter necessary when you learn how to do this and you don't need to be muscle bound. Without question use a safety tool when setting the trap to protect yourself.

What is best for one guy may not be for the next guy.
I know how to use a rope and the motorcycle chain setter, but any kind of serious pulling with my arms rips my back muscles up.
I prefer the Sleepy Creek setters for 330s. I have made my own setters and played with length and hinge bolt placement, and the shape of the ends which engage with the springs, but I could not come up with anything better than the Sleepy Creeks.

A rope I can put in my pocket is a lot easier lugging around then a heavy setter.

This I what I use..love'em

If we all ran 35 year old Dukes....I too would "He Man" those 330's......but that's not the case

Ha ha, at the risk of sounding like a goldurn braggart, I can set a brand new Belisle 330 right out of the box in under 10 seconds by hand. And I'm officially a senior citizen these days.

It is not a matter of brute strength...it's technique. (I don't pull...I push).

I bought 2 new Bridger setters from Minnesota and painted them orange. They work great. Also bought Trapper Ron’s Setter. Also carry rope in the other side pocket.