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A word or two about building a good strong snare using steel nuts. |
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| • I would like to start by mentioning the following. Here in Alaska we spend a considerable amount of time trapping and snaring wolves, wolverine and otter. These three animals are probably the toughest, most aggressive animals ever held in a set. The wolf, wolverine and otter will all do major damage to your set in attempt to free themselves. That is why our sets have to be built tough and built to kill quickly! | Fact: Hammered on steel nuts provide a much stronger hold than hammered on aluminum button stops. In fact, hammered on steel nuts proved even better than crimped on aluminum stops! Note: See details below for "crimped systems". Also see page on "Using Swaggers".
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Test to compare steel cable ends verses aluminum button stops |
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Here in the vice I have placed two pieces of cable, both 1/16" (1x19). The vice is clamped down equally on both pieces of cable holding them firmly in place. The cable on the left has a steel nut hammered on. The cable on the right has an aluminum button stop hammered on.
When we applied a small amount of force to the one on the right using a claw hammer (2) the aluminum button stop popped off rather easily.(3) When we applied at least four times the force to the steel nut, the nut held onto the cable and even pulled through the vise as shown at the left. These are the types of tests needed in order to insure your snares are built for top quality performance. (The same test performed on a "crimped" Al stop gave the same results!) |
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| Fact: Steel nuts cost about $3.50 per 100 and can be found in most every hardware store. Aluminum button stops cost at least $6.00 per 100 (not including shipping cost) and will need to be ordered from a trap supply outlet. You are not likely to find aluminum stops in your local hardware store in the quantity or sizes you need. |
Fact: Crimpers (also called swaggers) can cost as little as $25 or as much as $199. This expense is may not acceptable to anyone who is conscience about expenses verses profit. Besides, a hammer and an anvil do just as good, if not better, at securing your stops onto your snares. (if you use steel nuts) |