Ok guys thinking about trying some TS-85 for wolves. What kinda mods do I need to do to these traps, besides welding offsets and jaw laminations?

If you don't already have some then just buy some already modified from Dan Helterline in MT. Everything is already done that needs to be done.

I prefer offsets cut out rather than welded lugs, but either will work. I had a neighbor with a milling machine mill 1/4 offsets in some for me, and then laminated with flat bar rather than round, but again, either will work. Buying from Dan is the easiest if you just want some traps to use. If you are on a budget and like to tinker and mod stuff yourself you can do it yourself though. I would recommend if you are going to do the mods yourself to buy a trap or traps from Dan for a template and save yourself a lot of headscratching on what exactly you want to do.

Not strictly necessary but I really like Dan's lug on the bottom of the jaw to hold the pan. Which he freely admits to stealing the idea from Kendall of NO BS traps. I in turn stole it myself when I modded my own. It causes the pan to set lower than the jaws, nicely.

Springs on the are barley adequate to hold some of the beavers they get a hold of. I'd look into their lock up with the levers too if I ever wanted to try them for wolves.

From my dealings and other that have dealt with TS85s on the beaver line that would be the last trap I would use for trapping wolves.

adc and beav,,its obvious neither of you have ever even seen a wolf modified 85. dans traps are 1/4" milled offset, laminated reinforced jaws, lowered pan and 4 coiled, with an outrigger/spring keeper that bolts to the frame x-piece. extreme over kill for a beaver. you wont set them by stepping on the levers and pulling up on the jaws if you weigh less than 200 pounds, and then its still a struggle. never heard of a lost wolf or lion in an 85.

Sounds like he may as well build the traps from scratch by the time he does all that to make them worthwhile.

Couple of other little mods he does to them also, but other than milling the offset everything is pretty simple and requires no special tools other than a welder. I've built a couple traps from scratch and I've done the mods. The mods are way simpler.

I modify the TS85s for mountain lion trappers. Laminate the jaws tip to tip, re-enforce the welds, add a longer spring pin, 4 coils and a keeper plate. Very strong traps.

Out of curiosity, what do those mods cost, per trap?

Around $35 per trap.

very nice job on the mods. you obviously take pride in your work.

Nice work On the mods.

If I ever draw a wolf tag here In Wi I wouldn't hesitate to use My Duke 650s.
.

Thanks. Appreciate that.

I love the modified ones from Dan. He said it's about 10 to 12 bucks to modify them if you can weld.
I've caught several wolves this last season in them. Hands down my favorite wolf trap, even over the AK #9. I had 2 cerakoted as we live and trap in the salt, and they are holding up real well

Talked with Dan at the western nta but forgot to ask him where to find his traps for sale, anyone have a site to find them at?

call Dan

Modded a dozen TS_85s today
Milled offset, flat bar lamination and four coiled

Keystock welded to spring lever so loose jaw lays flat

Keystock welded on bottom of jaw for lowered pan catch.

Nice job on the mods.

I need to send you mine and let you mod them for me lol. You know, since you aren't busy guiding or anything