i have no.1 1/2 and some older square jaw no.2 coilsprings.i want to put new music wire springs on. do i use the next size bigger on them and what are the steps for doing this. thank you

Yes, a size larger if you want them to be as strong as they can be without 4 coiling.
Mink

thanks mink do you know the steps on how to do it.

Id get no 2 spings for all of them. all you have to do is wedge a flat head screw driver between the levers and the end of the spring, and pry it out of the little slits that hold the springs in. You can put the new springs on with a pair of plairs. Watch your hands because if the spring slips out of the plairs it will fly up and smack your hand.

Hokie pretty much explained it. Be sure to watch your fingers!
Mink

Depends on what your targe animal is. Music wire springs are very strong. I put 1.5s in my 1.5 and wouldn't want them any stronger unless I was JUST targeting coon alone.

Calvin, I agree 11/2's for 11/2's...... music's are plenty strong!!

Yea you will probaly only let one of them springs get you once. THEY HURT!

thank you guys and they are coon traps

Been there done that, LOL. On 1 1/2's use 1 1/2 springs. You can easily on unmodified traps bend the frames. They are also mighty harsh on fox with unlaminated jaws.

I use #2 springs on all my #1.5 coils. Definitely not too strong, especially for coon. Never had any bent frames. Never had any more foot damage, if anything less, because the foot doesn't move in the trap as much. Stronger traps come up through cover better. But, if you are talking #2 Victor square jaws, I wouldn't put #3 springs on those. I did it and it did bend the frames on a couple. I would stick with #2 springs on those.

Were those music wire springs or standard springs, Goldy? Man, those music wires (that I got anyhow) sure seemed real strong. Hurt my hand setting them strong (1.5).

Creful or youll warp your trap frame,Music wire is mighty strong. I got #2 on my 13/4 and #2 coils,they are baseplated and lammed. if ya need more than #2 music wire on those traps conside a 4 coil kit.

The best thing found to change the springs with is a nut driver. The craftsmans i use have a hole on the inside that the spring will fit inside. Makes it much easier to change the larger springs. Just watch out one slip and you will remember it for a while.

I just watched Charlie Dobbins video (thanks Paul) and he used a screwdriver to remove the spring and a little tube to put it back it. I'd strongly recommend the Dobbins video about trap adjusting/modifying.

A short piece (about a foot long) of brake line tubing works well to put the springs back on. It gives you a good bit of leverage.

Me neither.I'd get rid of them and buy some decent 1.5's if your going for coon.The #2 vic square jaw IMO was the worst trap ever made.

Music wire. They seem too strong at first, but after being set for a couple days they weaken some. Once they get to a certain point, they seem to stabilize. Once I put #2 springs on them, I haven't had to change springs on them again. If your using your traps for water animals, like mink and 'rats, #1.5 springs are fine. I like the extra strength (#2 springs)though for land animals.

I agree. I originally put #3 springs on them years ago to hold coyotes better. #2 Victor is NOT a coyote trap. I lost more than I held. Plus, it's too big for coon unless they are on drowners.

I have about half of dozen of the victors square jaw #2 that an old timer gave me. I have ben wondering what to do with them. They are in pretty good shape, but just dont seem that well built. i base plated them and bubbled the jaw tips, changed the springs with # 2 music wire springs. They seem pretty strong, will they be too much for fox. Or use them on coon on a water set.