Last year I bought a big pile of #3 DLS. Mostly Victors but some B&L and a few Triumphs. I’ve been working my way through the pile, base plating, jaw laminations and #3 chain with super stakes.

One of the traps in the pile had no pan or dog and the springs were so bowed they looked like someone had stuck a piece of 2” pipe in and beat on the end to increase the spring strength. The jaws wouldn’t lay flat at all.

So in the spirit of, can I make this a useable trap, I embarked on an effort to bring it back into service. It started out a B&L #3 DLS.

I used a replacement lever from a Duke #1 coil spring to create essentially a pinch pan. The lever is the pan hinge and support for the pan. The pan is from an MB 650 I modified with one of Monte’s replacement pans. Because it set to low and tight to the frame I notched a piece of 1/4” key stock and welded it in place. The dog is one of the Bob Custer replacement dogs. I filed a night latch in the dog.





To secure the pan screw I welded in a small bolt spacer (available from McMaster Carr). It was necessary to thin the frame some to fit the #1 lever over the frame.



I added jaw laminations and had some take off springs to replace the badly bowed originals. I ground the jaws even and welded in a nubbin to create an offset. Then ground the jaw sides to let the spring eyes come all the way up.





It was a fun project. And it was too hot outside to do much work so working in the cool garage was a welcome break from the heat. There is no need to critique my welds. I’m fully aware that I suck as a welder. However ugly they look they don’t fail during destruction testing.

Way to go.

Great job I like it!!!!

I'm reminded of that old song about a guy that worked in an auto plant and over the years of stealing parts, built a car with them! LOL

No offence Marty, but when you ground down those welds, did it smell more like Juicy Fruit or Bubblicious?
BTW, I'm sure that those welds are plenty strong enough to serve their purpose.

Sweet Lord I missed posts like this ! love those laminations!

Great job putting that old iron back into play.