I was going to order a dozen or so MBS #7 - Cam Lock, but I'm wondering is it cheaper to buy the stuff to make them myself or just go and buy the actual snare. I have plenty of time to make them so that's not an issue, it's what cheaper in the long run? Any help or advice would be great, thanks!

My local trapping business sells cable restraints for $20/dozen. I went to Dakota Line Snares and pieced together enough material to make 100 cable restraints and the total bill was approximately $160/100 cable restraints. When I figured it out per CR it was cheaper. That price also includes a roll of #9 wire for supports, so it's basically everything that would be needed except for the anchor. As for the anchor, I make my own POGO anchors.

This price also included the $28 crimping tool which is a one time purchase.

The savings might not be worth your time if buying in small amounts. Also depends on how you make your snares. I like a ten foot all cable snare anchored high around a tree with a toothed cam. Me and a buddy bought 10000 feet of cable and that has kept us going for a few years now. I know I would not be able to buy the hundreds of snares I have made for what it cost me to make them, assuming my time is free. If it is for a few dozen it might not be worth your trouble. I buy ferrules by the thousand, and locks by the hundred. It's buying in bulk that saves you.

I will always build mine though because having the ability, knowledge and tools to build snares allows you to do a lot of other things. Cable extensions, slide wires, and every size of snare can be made easily if you have a crimper. I keep a stock of bins of bits and make stuff as needed.

years ago I had bought 3 dozen snares and since then I had purchased a 1000' role of cable. The parts hardly ever get wrecked so I just replace with new cable the length I want.

Just did some numbers. You can make the snares that MTP sells about .60 cents a dozen cheaper(.05 cents a snare). If you buy parts in bulk(im using 1 roll of 100ft cable and per dozen prices for this comparison), you can knock that savings off even more. Assuming you can make a catch with each snare, you can save $10 per dozen. You will have to buy a cable cutter, a good one is $30 dollars, a really good one is $55, economy one is 15.


The break even buying in bulk(5000 ft' of cable from Newt and buying everything buy the hundred) and buying the 30 dollar cutters is about 4 dozen snares.

Your snare per unit price is 2.07, bulk price per unit making your own(includes price of cutters) is 1.56.

If you are new to snaring, my advice is to always buy the snares from someone who builds good snares. Try a few types until you find just what you like. Save the reusable components off the used snares like the locks, swivels, etc... then in a couple years, you'll have an idea what you like in a snare and then you can buy the parts in bulk to rebuild the snares in the style you like and save a few dollars.

The particular snares you mentioned are not loaded snares, if that matters to you.

For small quantities I would just buy them. I personally like making my own since I can customize the different sizes that I need. I also like the fact that I can reuse many of the parts.

I also purchased a spinner to help make the end pieces.

FYI if you do build your own snares make sure to put the locks on the correct way LOL. I had about a hundred and fifty snares out when I first started making them only to realize I put the locks on backwards!

No point in those "swivels" so you can save even more money.

I save quite a bit of money building my own, recycling reusable parts, etc.

And thats figuring my time at $20/hr. But, once you get a system down, you can knock out a LOT of snares in an hour.

But I also build hundreds every year.

Your welcome to come down to my place and I will help you build some to help you learn how to make your own. I have done a few hundred in the past ten years. You are only an hour and a half away.

I think I would take Dead Coyote up on his offer. Might be the best 1.5 hr drive you will make. He puts up good numbers with cable.

I always made my own snares,learned from the old timers how to make snares and snare everything.The oldtimers snared everything in winter before bodygrips came along in the early 50's.

^This. Great advice.

I buy mine from Rally delivered to my door step loaded and ready to go.
A quick boiling job with some TSP and I'm done.

I'd have Rally make different styles of locks and cables, and lengths till you decide what works best before you start making your own. Rally gives very good advice he does sell Kits.

Dead Coyote would be a great recourse too.

I get my snares these days from roadrunner snares. JD treats them with F1 before he sends them. I think Newt will too last I knew. Built to me specs and ready to go when they get here. He even puts my tags on them.

I met Newt in his shop one day years ago and he showed me everything he knew about making snares. He mentioned not to cut corners on cable. You get what you pay for. He showed me how to properly load a snare. I left there and made some and they worked. I then had a need for 8 dozen snares.
I figured that anyone who freely shared with me everything there is to know about making a good snare should get my business, so I ordered those and many more for years to come.
Each one is exactly like the last one. I like that.

I suggest buy them or work with an experienced snareman to make them. Buying components for less than a 100 is not economical, and without experience you would probably makes mistakes without knowing it. That said, after 2 or 3 years experience you can make your own for the satisfaction and to get them exactly as you want them, and save money at the same time. Carry a cable cutter on the line. You will need it cut twisted cable off most of the critters. I recommend NOT taking a critter home with cable still around its neck. A light weight American cable cutter can be had for $25-$30.

Lots of great advice here. One thing I didn't see mentioned is the cost per snare goes down dramatically when you re-use/recycle the components, locks, swivels, springs etc..jmho

When I make a catch. I remove the loop end from the barrel swivel. And that leaves the lower end of the cable that I re use. I keep all the locks but that's It.
When I reorder I only buy the loop end with the lock and BAD. the ferrules come with the re order. I put on my whammy's slip the tag end through the barrel swivel and crush on the Ferrule.