I’m familiar with and sometimes use PIt pans and miles triggers. I bought some old traps today and there was a Newhouse and a Hawley with posts for the pan pivot, and a victor with “folded up” sides for the pan pivot. Can I just grind off or drill out the pan pivot rivet and add a bolt like a PIT pan to add tension? Might require a washer or two. Has anyone done this, and how did it work? I attached a photo so you can see the what I mean.

Should work. I would use # 10 brass bolts and get some washers in case you need them. Also I recommend using a 3/16 bit instead of the numbered bit that is called for by suppliers. In my experience the numbered bit makes a hole too small for the bolts. Smooth everything up inside the posts and on the pan shank and you should be good. Also you could square up the dog notch on the pan and make sure the dog end is square. Don’t try to squish the post to tighten to the pan shank, use the washers to take any slop out of it.

Yes, you can do this. I’ve done it lots of times.

Thanks guys. Good advice on the washers.

You can use a mikes trigger itl add tension as well as foam padding unerneath

I also use undersprings made from old bed coil springs a d tge ones you csn get from lpc

I just weld on pits. Can’t get better.

Definitely felt that way about the miles trigger.. I bought some traps with them, otherwise they are way too tedious for my tastes.

I can do 30 or so miles triggers in a couple hours
Run about 100 or so 3ns
Nothing tedious to it

I'm so happy these are being used lol