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Sterling Pan Tension? #7399030
11/07/21 05:03 PM
11/07/21 05:03 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 89
Wisconsin
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mpb475 Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2012
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Wisconsin
I bought a few used Sterling 600s this summer. When I was checking them over prior to season, they seemed like they had a very light pan tension.

I have now caught a few animals in those traps. The coyotes have all been caught by one or two toes. I can't help but think the pan tension is too light. Is there any way to adjust the pan tension? Possibly by lightly filing the dog?

Re: Sterling Pan Tension? [Re: mpb475] #7399081
11/07/21 06:13 PM
11/07/21 06:13 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,751
williamsburg ks
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danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
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williamsburg ks
there is no dog on sterling traps. i dont know what you bought but if they have dogs they are not sterling mj600's


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: Sterling Pan Tension? [Re: mpb475] #7399088
11/07/21 06:18 PM
11/07/21 06:18 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,751
williamsburg ks
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danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
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williamsburg ks
[Linked Image]

They look like this


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: Sterling Pan Tension? [Re: mpb475] #7399133
11/07/21 07:17 PM
11/07/21 07:17 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 17,458
Wheaton Ks
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lee steinmeyer Offline
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Wheaton Ks
Pan tension always gets to be a problem if not addressed on older sterlings. You can file the notch, but both the one on the pan and on the dog (not like a dog on a regular trap, but still a dog) need to be filed right, and if your not very good at doing thiings like that, you can make a mess out of it. Keeping both notches clean helps a bunch, but after years of use that notch gets worn. I use a hardened pick, with the end bent at a 90% bend, and carefully ground to a point that fits the notch. With it I can clean the wax or coating or whatever is in the notch, and actually scrapes material out of the notches. To get more pan tension yet, I use pan plugs under the pans, made of a mat of stuff my wife got at Joannes when she worked there. It is called Nufoam, but is like poly fill in a mat. Used for outdoor chair cushions. You can cut it to the size of the pan and vary the thickness as to what you want. Or youu can buy brand new sterlings that have about two more pounds of pan tension over old used ones!


YOU CAN IGNORE REALITY, BUT YOU CANNOT IGNORE THE CONSEQUENCES OF IGNORING REALITY.

http://www.lptraplinesupply.com
Re: Sterling Pan Tension? [Re: mpb475] #7399264
11/07/21 08:50 PM
11/07/21 08:50 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 89
Wisconsin
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mpb475 Offline OP
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Will making either or both notches deeper have a noticeable effect on pan tension? I haven't been able to find replacement parts online, are there any available? It seems like those parts are susceptible to wear, and eventually will need to be replaced.

I am aware that the trigger system is different from a standard trap. I guess I don't really know what else to call the rectangular piece of a trap's trigger system that is responsible for holding down the jaws while in the set system and also engaging with the pan notch.

Re: Sterling Pan Tension? [Re: mpb475] #7399297
11/07/21 09:12 PM
11/07/21 09:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,751
williamsburg ks
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danny clifton Offline
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danny clifton  Offline
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I just never heard it called a dog before. Good a word as any. I thought somebody had scammed you into to much for a dog on trap.


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: Sterling Pan Tension? [Re: mpb475] #7399301
11/07/21 09:18 PM
11/07/21 09:18 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,769
Central, SD
Law Dog Online content
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Central, SD
Glenn told me he did 3 passes with a file to get the cut he wanted when he built them.


Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!

Jerry Herbst
Re: Sterling Pan Tension? [Re: mpb475] #7399450
11/08/21 12:41 AM
11/08/21 12:41 AM
Joined: Oct 2011
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Wheaton Ks
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lee steinmeyer Offline
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Wheaton Ks
Yes, and go gently or you can overdo it.Those notches are hard to hold the piece your filing solid, but that's what you want to do. A set of jewlers files are your best bet. Put the trap in a vise, and use a vice grip to lock whatever part I'm working on. That way you can file acurately.


YOU CAN IGNORE REALITY, BUT YOU CANNOT IGNORE THE CONSEQUENCES OF IGNORING REALITY.

http://www.lptraplinesupply.com
Re: Sterling Pan Tension? [Re: mpb475] #7399510
11/08/21 07:22 AM
11/08/21 07:22 AM
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Posts: 89
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mpb475 Offline OP
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Got it. Thanks for the help.

Are there any Sterling replacement parts available? Who would carry them?

Re: Sterling Pan Tension? [Re: mpb475] #7399586
11/08/21 09:37 AM
11/08/21 09:37 AM
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Wheaton Ks
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lee steinmeyer Offline
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There is only one place, that would be JR Sterling in SD. He still builds all the sterlings that are still produced. Sorry, I don't have an addrress.
It woild be easier to build the part yourself, probably! You can get jaws and springs, they haven't changed, and possibly from Sterling fur Co in Ohio. I've had some run over by tractors and such, and been able to fix all of them with careful bending back. I've refiled my notches a number of times, just take your time and do a good job. Good luck.


YOU CAN IGNORE REALITY, BUT YOU CANNOT IGNORE THE CONSEQUENCES OF IGNORING REALITY.

http://www.lptraplinesupply.com
Re: Sterling Pan Tension? [Re: mpb475] #7399600
11/08/21 09:56 AM
11/08/21 09:56 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,769
Central, SD
Law Dog Online content
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Law Dog  Online Content
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Posts: 34,769
Central, SD
I’d like to find a Dremel wheel that made the right cut needed but I still use a file.


Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!

Jerry Herbst
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