Join the science discord! / discord Ive got a bit of a Raccoon problem at my house… I built something to fix the problem. It breaks multiple local ordinances and a few international treaties, but I give you THE GIANT MOUSETRAP! It took over 3 weeks to build and cost around $360 to build, with the main expenses being the winch, and the multiple pipe fittings to adapt the springs to the bar.
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Every time I wound it up, something broke. Originally i built it to use garage door springs, but they were not strong enough. Once I switched to coil springs stuff started breaking.
First it was the bar, which bent, and needed corner enforcement's welded on.
Then the 'axel' running down the center of the springs bent, so I needed to add hardware to counteract the winch pulling on it.
Next, the springs themselves broke. I learned something about trying to weld tempered steel.. It just creates stresses and the weld was much more brittle (harder) than the spring steel. I had to re-weld it and heat up the spring up to about 3 inches from the weld, this created a more gradual slope of hardness, so the spring bent where i welded instead of snapping.
Then the bar bent in the middle, so I had to weld a 4' long 1" corner to it.
Finally, the arms of the bar are flexing when I tighten the springs too much, but I think this is okay, for now!