Just got pinched

[wormbobskey]

I was tweaking a #4 dls a while ago and got the crap pinched out of my thumb. I had just installed new springs and laminated the jaws and added a base plate. I had threaded a few strands of 16 gauge wire through the pan eye to take out the slop. Wanted to see how the pan sat so I set the trap and was getting ready to turn the spring back a little to lower the loose jaw when she bit me. I didn't check the dog before I set it and it was covered with still tacky trap dip. Didn't look to bad until I came in the house and washed my hands. Got a blood blister that covers the entire thumbprint. Now I wish I hadn't washed my hands cause it hurts more now than when I did it. Glad I didn't do it on the line. I guess I'm done whining for now.

[Bogmaster]

 LOL, been there--done that. Wakes you up doesn't it.
 Tom

[cottonjonas]

lol most times i do that i am standing pod deep in ice cold water hooked to  a drowing rig

[wormbobskey]

Well I made it through the night without having to amputate the thumb, so I guess I'll survive. I've done this sort of thing before, but it was usually with smaller coil spring traps. Man those new #4 long springs are strong. Had my wife rolling on the floor when I came in and told her. I'm doing these mods for a friend and I'm going to make sure he wire brush off the dip before I start tinkering on them again. And Yes Tom, it does wake you up.

[Arier Blut]

I've caught my self to many times.
When working on them any more I have a little piece of pipe I wire to the jaw to give a little leeway for the fingers. I thought about making a jig one time to wire them to the bench but it's been awhile since I lost a nail so I get complacent.

[wormbobskey]

I'm usually pretty carful about keeping my fingers out of harms way, but I got complacent like you said. I remember one time I was adjusting a dozen or so  1 1/2 coils and found a #1 coil that shouldn't have been there. I figured I'd adjust it anyway and had my thumb under the loose jaw and was eyeballing the pan notch to set the pan level. I had my thumb just a touch to high and snapped that #1 right across the thumb nail. Talk about bringing tears to your eyes. I was obviously used to ajucting the larger coils and just had my thumb to high. Had a heck of a time trying to get that trap off my thumb. I would say live and learn, but that lesson must not have hit home to much.