First functioning figure 4 dead drop

G

grateful_fred

Joined
Jul 15, 2008
Messages
50
hey guys,
I have beed in the woods lately practicing making the figure 4 trap.
I'm doing one from TB jr wilderness survival guide, a figure 4 dead drop.
This was my fourth attemp and this one triggered and fell fast and smooth.
Obviously its not dressed or set up in the right location but it felt good finally getting the all the pieces to work good.
The pics are at low light... it was late.
Tools used: gransfors small forest axe, BRTK Fox River.

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Those are hard to do...very good job. How long did it take you from start to finish?

ROCK6
 
Nicely done. Looks like you're cuts are all correct if it is holding weight. A bit of constructive criticism, put your upright pole right on the bottom of your trap, not in the dirt in front of it. Upright poles have the tendency to dig into the ground. The Figure 4 will throw the upright out of the way when it is properly constructed. Don't worry about having it set up out of the way.

Also, make the angle of your upright pole and your diagonal pole more acute. In other words, have the diagonal pole attach to the horizontal pole more steeply.

Keep up the good work and remember how you made it. This skill is a great one to have carried in the back of your mind.
 
ROCK6 said:
Those are hard to do...very good job. How long did it take you from start to finish?

ROCK6
Click to expand...


Well not including the 8 or so hours of previous attempts/practices this one was about 2 HR. Most of which was searching/getting the right pieces. I live on the coast in SC about 20 miles north of Savannah GA. Man its hard to find straight smaller wood here that does not require you to kill a branch or a sappling.
And actually on this one the first piece that suspends the log broke under the weight. it was late and wound up taking a sappling, you can see that piece is green. I'm still repenting!! :)
 
k_estela said:
Nicely done. Looks like you're cuts are all correct if it is holding weight. A bit of constructive criticism, put your upright pole right on the bottom of your trap, not in the dirt in front of it. Upright poles have the tendency to dig into the ground. The Figure 4 will throw the upright out of the way when it is properly constructed. Don't worry about having it set up out of the way.

Also, make the angle of your upright pole and your diagonal pole more acute. In other words, have the diagonal pole attach to the horizontal pole more steeply.

Keep up the good work and remember how you made it. This skill is a great one to have carried in the back of your mind.
Click to expand...

Ok, thats a great tip. I just understood the intent of the design.

Let me confess that in this trap the upright is pounded in to the ground. I worked it after it was in the ground. Which sucked. But I could not get it to hold wight when it was not in the ground. I re-read the chapter and along with your comments I now see the light.
I'll post new pics when done.
 
Nice work. Next time I'm out in the woods for a bit I'm going to have to try and make one.
 
That's awesome! Great job, I know when I did mine, I felt great deal of pride that I know how to at least build one trap. Keep up the good work!
 
I'm working on that skill too! Along with beginning knots, bow drill, and on and on...Glad for your success!
 
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