Is there a YouTube video on this somewhere? I usually compress the jaws too much and end up with one jaw wobbling in the frame too much. And the conversion looks crappy.

a lot of #1s dont have the correct jaws for a conversion

If you do convert a #1 to a #11 or a 1 1/2 to a #2, only squeeze one side of the the jaw to bring it out of the trap frame. To do this, take your channel lock pilers or a small set of body grip setting tongs and grab the trap frame on one side and the jaw you wish to remove on the opposite side. If you squeeze both sides of the jaws you will distort them enough to have the problem you described earlier. Clamp your traps in a vise while doing the task. I compress and hold my springs down with a pair of vise grips also. Hope this helps you.

First ones I ever did I used a chisel to pop the jaws.

When done hit the closed jaws on the center with a hammer. that will take out the bend that you caused taking them out......jk

Thank you!