I wanted to try my hand at building a powered, swim through cage trap that could double for cats if needed. After watching a bunch of YouTube videos and looking at several types of traps, this is what I cam up with. I had a general idea but developed this as I built. I wanted a trap that close from the outside in rather than the opposite. Can't say why, just liked the idea of closing outside in.

I powered it with 1 1/2 coil spring springs. It closes with authority. I still need to develop a locking bar to make sure nothing powers out against the springs. They are the only thing keeping it closed until I work up a locking bar. I used a 330 trigger and made my own dog. The whole thing is out of 5/16 hot rolled rod. It shouldn't bend. I think I'll get some 3/32 cold rolled rod if I can find it, to make extended triggers for these. I also fabricated a cover to use on one end that creates a bait chamber should I use it for cats with just one door open.

The link is to a video of it firing.



















[video:google]https://photos.smugmug.com/Fur/i-7S...TqZSCvndfCZ3kz3CS/1920/IMG_2570-1920.mp4[/video]

Keep going

You a heck of a manufacturer. Keep us updated.

Still a few finishing touches to go. And need to wrap it in 14 gauge 1x1 mesh. And come up with some extended trigger wires.

I got the door locks built today and installed. I wrapped it with 1x1 mesh but then discovered I was out of the right size hog rings. I need to get some of them and a couple springs to activate the door locks. I live 35 miles from most good hardware stores/home centers. There's one 15 miles away but not headed that way anytime soon. It's the opposite direction from where we usually shop. I put on a small bungee to show how the spring will hold the door lock.

Hot dang man that a nice deal you got going ! Only ever did one swint in doo like that and could be we get the springs for the door locks . What size did you using for the frame ? Definitely looks nice then the 1/4" I've been using . And also I gotta say the way you have your sprigs hung is genius!

So how hard is it to set with he wire on ?

Looks good.
But seems a bit more complicated then a simple colony trap door. LOL

Everything is 5/16 hot rolled rod. Except for the door lock which is 3/16 cold rolled. The dog I made is out of 3/16x1 flat bar. Hanging the springs that way just made sense to me. It is not hard to set with the wire on but does require making sure the dog is positioned properly first. I had to turn the S hook 90 degrees so it would work with the trigger bar and the center bar of the door.