Anybody do this? Not talking about grinding off lugs or reversing the jaws, but cutting some square stock or flat stock, inserting, and tacking to the jaws?

Thought crossed my mind to take some factory stock offset jaws, and with one step, turn them into regular/laminated jaws. Anywho, was wondering if anyone has done it and if you liked it or not.

Thanks.

I am sure it can be done, but why? Some people just need to modify I guess.

Guilty.

You lose the higher set lever advantage vs a true os jaw but it should work. Seen welds, rings and wire wraps used to do it.

I took a couple of 175 of set and used old 1.5 Jaws to laminate inside and out. It made a serious double jaw that holds what it grabs. I used to tinker alot and that was one of the most versatile traps I modified.

From muskrats to big ton cats.

I'm thinking like if I have a trap with a 1/4 offset in the jaws, I want to try and get some 1/2 inch wide by 1/8 thick flat stock, cut them to length, set them in the offset in the jaws, and tack in place.

Make sense?

It sounds like you would have a jaw that is open 1/4 inch causing the levers to not come up and lock.

Like Law Dog said, ad a critter and your levers are even lower causing poor holding.

Unless your laying the metal flat and making the offset 1/8 inch and having a surface aria of 1/2.

If that's the case you would probably need to beef up you springs for larger animals.

A 1/2 inch thick jaw on a 1.5 seems like it would be a catch and release for raccoons.

Wire wraps would be interesting

The traps are already offset, so in the completely closed position the trap has a 1/4 in offsett. I'm just talking about filling in the offset.

I guess ill just go ahead and try one and maybe report back

Right, but by closing that offset, the levers will not come up as high when there is a foot between the jaws which will cause you to lose the mechanical advantage (holding power) of the offsets.

Your handle suggests you are a fox trapper, offsets are excellent traps for canines.

My miscalculation, so you are shooting for no offset with a 1/2 thick jaw.

What’s a pair of replacement jaws cost?

Seems like if your just filling in the offset, it should work just like a closed jaw trap.

Bingo

Pick up some flat stock at the hardware store laminate inside or out whatever works the best for you.

This is true but you are eliminating 1/4 " of lock up then you add a critters foot you lose even more
If you start with a high lever lock up trap this could be done. If not then your results may be disappointing.

I say try it and find out, that's how we learn.

I don't think filling in the offset will be much of a factor. Most trap manufactures use the same levers and everything for either style of their traps,,, however the wider the jaw face the less holding power of the trap. If you put in 1/2" wide smooth jaw faces you better sure your springs are super stout or you're asking for pull outs.

I don't think that is correct. Most manufacture's traps of the same size lock up the same whether offset or closed jaw. The difference comes when there is a foot between the jaws, the offset allows the levers to come up slightly higher than a closed jaw.

[quote=~ADC~I don't think filling in the offset will be much of a factor. Most trap manufactures use the same levers and everything for either style of their traps,,, however the wider the jaw face the less holding power of the trap. If you put in 1/2" wide smooth jaw faces you better sure your springs are super stout or you're asking for pull outs. [/quote]

I believe that is correct. I also believe closing the offset will cost lever height and holding power. How much...I don't know.

True, I should have stated better. Only makes a difference when something is between the jaws.