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Bodygrippers Compressed or not #6915728
06/30/20 02:42 PM
06/30/20 02:42 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,871
NNY
0
080808 Offline OP
trapper
080808  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2015
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NNY
Your opinions on leaving the springs compressed during the off-season. My neighbor insist it will weaken the springs over time?

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6915732
06/30/20 02:46 PM
06/30/20 02:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,550
Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB Offline
trapper
SNIPERBBB  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,550
Rodney,Ohio
Compressed. Heat, rust and repeated firings is what weakens springs. Compression does nothing. That's why you don't have to worry about your ar15 mags not working if you lead em loaded for years in case of emergency.

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6915744
06/30/20 02:53 PM
06/30/20 02:53 PM
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 7,217
W NY
Turtledale Online content
trapper
Turtledale  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 7,217
W NY
Just as easy to store with the load off for me. Not sure if it matters but this way you don't have to worry


NYSTA, NTA, FTA, life member Erie county trappers assn.,life member Catt.county trappers
Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6915776
06/30/20 03:18 PM
06/30/20 03:18 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,261
Iowa
~ADC~ Offline
The Count
~ADC~  Offline
The Count

Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,261
Iowa
Mine are compressed unless they have a catch in them. If you were to actually let the load off them, you'd have to remove them from the jaws completely.

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6915780
06/30/20 03:20 PM
06/30/20 03:20 PM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 371
North, MS
T
TrapperCarl78 Offline
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TrapperCarl78  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2017
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North, MS
Compressed. I have some Bridger and Duke 330s that have been compressed most of there life since I purchased them in 2010. Same trap today they were back then. Still kill beaver and otter just fine. My 2 cents.


TC
Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6915850
06/30/20 04:18 PM
06/30/20 04:18 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2009
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100 Mile House, BC Can
Compressed and there ready to go, no compression of springs in the field. Have never noticed any weakening of springs do to continuous compression.


The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6915948
06/30/20 06:23 PM
06/30/20 06:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
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The Beav Offline
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The Beav  Offline
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Wisconsin
Lots easier to store them in the compressed stage. No tangling of safety hooks.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: The Beav] #6915969
06/30/20 06:53 PM
06/30/20 06:53 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2009
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100 Mile House, BC Can
10/4, I forgot to mention that.


The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: The Beav] #6916052
06/30/20 08:22 PM
06/30/20 08:22 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,261
Iowa
~ADC~ Offline
The Count
~ADC~  Offline
The Count

Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,261
Iowa
Originally Posted by The Beav
Lots easier to store them in the compressed stage. No tangling of safety hooks.


x3 Especially if you don't use Belisles. On many other brands the springs will go around the corners of the trap often getting the dog and through them somehow and bending the crap out of your triggers.

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6916058
06/30/20 08:25 PM
06/30/20 08:25 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,593
KY
A
AnthonyT Offline
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KY
All of mine are stored compressed. Takes a lot less space, less tangling (especially when there is only a swivel and no chain), and when it comes time to set them it really speeds up the process. Have Duke 160s that are at least 10 years old that still are strong and kill what they catch no problem.

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6916114
06/30/20 09:10 PM
06/30/20 09:10 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,294
Louisiana
Aix sponsa Offline
trapper
Aix sponsa  Offline
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Louisiana
I saw discussions on this topic go all over the place years ago. I decided to go to the people that know springs and see what they have to say.


This is what my understanding is of what weakens springs: over compressing, over stretching, heat, rust/corrosion, and finally, excessive use.


I leave all of mine compressed unless they’re holding an animal. I also take care of my traps by keeping them from Rusting. Speaking of, it’s time for me to give them a paint dip bath soon.


Good luck

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6916128
06/30/20 09:18 PM
06/30/20 09:18 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 829
NE NE
W
Wife Offline
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Wife  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 829
NE NE
I Leave all my Ram snares compressed. One day I I was in the shed heard something over (a pop) where they are stored, went poking around in the bucket they were in and one had broken. It just snapped one arm by the coil. It was 3 years old (2 trapping seasons). I called the Snare Shop and talked to the owner and he said to decompress them when not in the field and there was no warranty on them. He was pretty explicit to release the spring strength when you were done trapping for the year. I'm not very well versed on metallurgy so maybe someone can explain the difference that and the steel in a BG................ the mike

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6916151
06/30/20 09:35 PM
06/30/20 09:35 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,064
NY
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rendezvous Offline
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NY
I store my conibears uncompressed. As the season approaches, they all get compressed ahead of opening day.


Let's go Brandon!
Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6916166
06/30/20 09:56 PM
06/30/20 09:56 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,514
juneau, alaska
A
alaska viking Offline
"Made it two years not being censored"
alaska viking  Offline
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juneau, alaska
I would guess the snare shop didn't want to send you a new one.


Made it almost 3 years without censor!

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: alaska viking] #6916279
06/30/20 11:37 PM
06/30/20 11:37 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,261
Iowa
~ADC~ Offline
The Count
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The Count

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Iowa
Originally Posted by alaska viking
I would guess the snare shop didn't want to send you a new one.

x2

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6916440
07/01/20 08:31 AM
07/01/20 08:31 AM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,420
Idaho
B
bearcat2 Offline
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Idaho
I've always stored mine uncompressed. I often precompress them before heading out to set them so I don't have to do it in the field, but have always hated storing/packing them compressed. Was shocked by the people here stating that they take up much less room and are easier to store compressed, and one guy even said, less tangles! I've always folded the uncompressed springs into the the square of the jaws, you then have a flat square trap and if you fold one spring in from the left and one in from the right with the trigger hanging down between them it sandwiches the trigger between the springs, so it can't flop around and is much less likely to tangle with other traps. you can stack them or hang them with much less issues this way. With springs compressed I always have springs, triggers, and chains flopping every which way and tangling with anything close to them.

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: Wife] #6916478
07/01/20 09:00 AM
07/01/20 09:00 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,550
Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB Offline
trapper
SNIPERBBB  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,550
Rodney,Ohio
Originally Posted by Wife
I Leave all my Ram snares compressed. One day I I was in the shed heard something over (a pop) where they are stored, went poking around in the bucket they were in and one had broken. It just snapped one arm by the coil. It was 3 years old (2 trapping seasons). I called the Snare Shop and talked to the owner and he said to decompress them when not in the field and there was no warranty on them. He was pretty explicit to release the spring strength when you were done trapping for the year. I'm not very well versed on metallurgy so maybe someone can explain the difference that and the steel in a BG................ the mike



It's in the making of the springs, there was a flaw in the metal when they are made. Several body grippers brands have had issues getting bad springs in the past.

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: bearcat2] #6916541
07/01/20 10:07 AM
07/01/20 10:07 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
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The Beav  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Wisconsin
Originally Posted by bearcat2
I've always stored mine uncompressed. I often precompress them before heading out to set them so I don't have to do it in the field, but have always hated storing/packing them compressed. Was shocked by the people here stating that they take up much less room and are easier to store compressed, and one guy even said, less tangles! I've always folded the uncompressed springs into the the square of the jaws, you then have a flat square trap and if you fold one spring in from the left and one in from the right with the trigger hanging down between them it sandwiches the trigger between the springs, so it can't flop around and is much less likely to tangle with other traps. you can stack them or hang them with much less issues this way. With springs compressed I always have springs, triggers, and chains flopping every which way and tangling with anything close to them.


You can do the same thing with compressed springs. And you never have your free dangling safety hooks get tangled up In the other traps? Ya right.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: bearcat2] #6916575
07/01/20 10:48 AM
07/01/20 10:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,550
Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB Offline
trapper
SNIPERBBB  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,550
Rodney,Ohio
Originally Posted by bearcat2
I've always stored mine uncompressed. I often precompress them before heading out to set them so I don't have to do it in the field, but have always hated storing/packing them compressed. Was shocked by the people here stating that they take up much less room and are easier to store compressed, and one guy even said, less tangles! I've always folded the uncompressed springs into the the square of the jaws, you then have a flat square trap and if you fold one spring in from the left and one in from the right with the trigger hanging down between them it sandwiches the trigger between the springs, so it can't flop around and is much less likely to tangle with other traps. you can stack them or hang them with much less issues this way. With springs compressed I always have springs, triggers, and chains flopping every which way and tangling with anything close to them.

When I store mine, I leave my extension cables attached. Fold springs in the wrap cable over the springs and clip the carabinier to the springs or cable. Stays tight and no floppage

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: 080808] #6916590
07/01/20 11:01 AM
07/01/20 11:01 AM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 116
MICHIGAN
S
SIGDOC Offline
trapper
SIGDOC  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 116
MICHIGAN
I have a couple of college buddies who are Metallurgic Engineers that put this argument to rest loooong ago. We all went to Michigan Tech and trapped the UP during the best fur boom in the late 70’s.
They agree that springs wear down/out from working them ie. repeatedly compressing and decompressing. Strength of a spring is not reduced in a static state ie. remaining compressed or decompressed.
Sounds to me the bottom line is “you can have it your way”. Neither way is better or worse.
Sigdoc

Re: Bodygrippers Compressed or not [Re: SNIPERBBB] #6916625
07/01/20 11:42 AM
07/01/20 11:42 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 551
Iron Range, Minnesota
R
Ringbill5196 Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 551
Iron Range, Minnesota
Originally Posted by SNIPERB🦝
Compressed. Heat, rust and repeated firings is what weakens springs. Compression does nothing. That's why you don't have to worry about your ar15 mags not working if you lead em loaded for years in case of emergency.


It is recommended firearms magazine springs get decompressed at least once per year. That came to me several ways in a 20 year Law Enforcement Firearms instructor. In that world it is not a problem as you also shoot up your duty ammo you carry a minimum of once a year. So, extrapolating that to body grip springs- you best be sure you catch something every year! I am good with that.

Incidentally, I recently am going back to chains on my water 220, 280, 330, 1216 BG's from cable. Not what they come with, except the first link, but the small twist link like Victor #1 longs have stock. 6-8 foot length. As told to me by a older trapper who still does 500+ beaver a year, it lays on the bottom and you don't trip on it. It has a 310 lb strength and is $20/100ft, he has never had it break. In 2 years I have not either. I bring it up here as when I store compressed I fold the springs in and wrap the chain tightly the opposite way around the trap. then I attach the split ring or quick link into a link of chain. I stays put and rarely tangles- worth the extra 15 sec to unhook out of the chain for use.

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