I always keep a file to touch up might night latches but I guess I lost the one I’ve been using. Every place I’ve looked has files that are too thick or too tiny.

Saw shops around here have the best files. Filing saw chain will weed out the bad files quickly so they keep good stock.



Owl

a short latch is easier to do and to maintain. unless you like that click there is no reason to do it. with a short latch you just set the trap. put the dog in the notch and pull the pan up. no messing around. any flat file will touch one up but touching up is not needed very often.

guys talk about false drop and all kinds of nonsense. the secret to both systems working is pinching the dog eye closed. get that done properly and the short latch is SIMPLE fast and easy.

Short latches are not for me but that's not what he asked.
Er rather, SLs suck lol. Morning Danny.

A couple older non big box hardware stores over here have Nickle son (spelling?) files.
And what Owl said.

https://www.orschelnfarmhome.com/6-in-mill-(This word is unacceptable on Trapperman)-file-101224728.html

computer says orschelin in sikeston has these in the store

Wright Brothers, I never have figured out what is so exciting about a click. It takes more time to cut and takes more time to set. In spite of what Hal Sullivan wrote in fur fish and game. A washer in the pan post, a proper sized bolt, and pan tension is constant. Even if you dont do that it is still easy to get tension. Precise measuring of pan tension is another waste of time.

X 2

I never cared for short-latches. When I by used traps that have been short-latched I file the notch deeper and night-latch them while muttering unkind things about the short-latcher.

If the pans don't have enough meat left to file deeper, I replace them.

With a short-latch when you lift the pan into the dog you press the dog back creating slop in the trigger system. Sure, you can pinch that dog tight around the post but it's still got to move so will still have some slop.

With a night-latch you lift the pan into the dog then lower it pulling all the slop out of the dog.

Besides, I really do like that click. LOL

Not going into it here AGAIN.
Be nice to share a tail gate or fire some time.
I bet we could both learn something.
I stopped reading him years ago. Didn't care for the rude factor.
So I missed that.

I use a 6" Mill Ba$tard Cut for cleaning up night-latches. I carry one in my trapping bag and have a few in the shop.

Traps are made of mild steel and file easily so you don't need top quality files.

The six-inchers I use are available on Amazon and many other places.

Agreed. I figure that humor lost FFG more subscriptions than they gained. Definitely lost mine.

Chain saw depth gauge file, available at any Tractor Supply or any place else that sells chainsaw supplies. $8

File

I agree with all that,,and that's how I do mine.I also like to hear the click.

Nicholson files are made in Mexico now. Not near as good as the old ones. Some of the best I've used for filing hand saws are made in Europe. Haven't looked for any flat files in a few years.