I was recently told after seeing someone scoldded for not having traps laminated that All the big numbers guys in the states modify there traps and laminate them. This indivdiaul even laminates there #1s now thats got me wondering why would you laminate a #1 I guess if you had coon but for rats ? or Marten??
The biggest reason I dont laminate is with laminated jaws you create more surface area that has to punch through the snow that can be countered by then adding a second set of springs now all of this adds up to weight, weight in Alaska means dollars often alot of dollars not to mention I dont own a welder and the going rate here is $75 an hour for welding. I only make chain modifications to some of my traps. This consist of adding a swivel or two and some extension cable.I do this with most with the exception of marten traps a chunk of wire is all thats needed. SO how many of you laminate your traps? What other modifications do you make? I understand why alot make these mods but how many do it?

Post deleted by wcollinge2000

I do modify most of my land traps. No one should be scolded for not having their traps modified. Its not nessasary but it is a good thing. Modified traps are just better at what they do. The laminated jaws creats more surface area, they also add ridgidity to the jaws and help to prevent popped jaws. Baseplating adds more strength the base. Helps to keep the base from getting warped and center swivels the trap. 4-coiling is a hotly debated topic. It adds power to the trap, the question is "is the extra power needed?" Well after you add the extra weight to the jaws from laminating it certainly helps. helps with coming up thru frozen ground and in holding a hard fighting animal. I can catch plenty of animals n stock traps. Modified traps just do a better job at it and helps your equipment to hold up longer. Just my opinion.

I don't modify, less surface area to bust through the snow the better.

I laminate all the really strong traps...by that I mean anything I have 4 coiled or added larger music wire springs to. Otherwise...no need to. IMO, it is all about animal comfort, so it really comes down to your own personal ethics.

Now...after saying all that...all my traps are fully modified. I baseplate,center swivel,toss in a few MB crunchproof swivels,always put on #3 American chain, and usually outside laminate everything. I'm always figthing mud when land trapping...so I normally power up all the springs on my traps by one size and use music springs.

When i said I don't modify, i should have said I don't laminate. I do add swivels.

Funny how a lot think their way is the only way . One needs to walk a mile in the others shoes for awhile to know .

Here I can get by with a little more human scent contamination then one can in a wilderness area . Maybe in AK they don't need all the mods we use in the midwest . I know when I moved to the area I am in now I had to change some of my trapping tactics before I could catch the numbers I decided were acceptable to me .