Would I be better off just buying one or would it be worth the hassle to make one.

It sure doen't take much to make one. I bought a couple rolls of wire last year so we could make colony traps with the kids at our state convention. I think the rolls were 25' in length.

So, if you aren't going to use a bunch of colony traps, you might be better off buying them.

I made a dozen a few years ago very cheap compared to buying even after buying the tool from F and T to make em collapse able

Start out with buying some and then if you like it enough you can proceed to make some more

make them out of 1x1 wire. 1x2 is what a lot if guys use but 1x1 is much more sturdy trap that doesnt get bent out of shape just by looking at it like 1x2 does.

Yep, that is correct 1 X 1 is the best if you can find the wire. I make all of mine and make the folding ones. Takes a wee bit longer but you can carry a dozen of them without any problem and easier to haul and store.

Garry-

Not true. It depends on the wire gauge. If you use 14 gauge wire 1X2 will be just fine.

I made 3 dz 30 yrs ago from old chicken layer cages. Still going strong today. Only problem is nowdays we dont have enough rats to fill them.

I made mine out of old rabbit cages. The rust makes them blend in well.
just

I'm with the Beav on this one.

I made my first 20 or so out of 1×1 from old fox cage wire then I make about another 100 or so out of 1×2 mesh
The one problem with the one inch square for me is they catch more debris than the one by 2.
In faster moving water I use rubber bands to keep the doors from opening from the current and debris.

I never have had luck in fast current using colony traps.
1/2x1 wire for me.
Even that rust out quickly because of acid or brackish water.

I like 8x16x24 with 4 door and a bite bar

For the 14+ buck each,,,,,I would built.