Well I started with picture frames and now have moved up to Box Traps...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/41009/trap.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1487688786)
It looks good. Can you show the details and how the trigger works?
I will post the finished picture when done,But in the mean time,there will be a hole drilled behind that custom handle.A 3/4 inch dowel will come up and out of the hole to about 2 inches below the mast.Another dowel will be wired to the first dowel and go over the mast to hold up the door.The first dowel is notched inside the trap to hold everything up.When the critter goes to the bait in the back it knocks the first dowel loose,and the door falls to the closed position.A thousand word picture to come...
I like the handle you've built into the top. Most I've seen don't have one. You'll need to age it some to make it more attractive for rabbits. Some folks burn leaves inside to char it a bit.
I hear you need to burn some leaves or smoke it real good after you catch a possum or a rabbit or such will never go in either.
I made one in Saudi Arabia when I was in Jeddah to catch feral cats. I used a coat hanger instead of a dowel for the trigger and sardines for bait. I had a heavy burlap bag I'd put in front and when I opened the door they'd jump in the bag and I'd tie it and drop them off at a dumpster site half way to work. Worked fine till I caught a big old Tom cat and while I reset the trap he sliced through my bag like he had a knife.
I have a couple I used for catching squirrels but they would not go in till I replaced the back board with hardware cloth and they could see through. Worked fine after that.
My Dad built one of these traps for me when I was a kid. They work very well for fox squirrels. The fun was in the catch. We always turned them loose. We started marking them with a dab of fingernail polish, and found out how dumb fox squirrels are.
That's a lot different than I build them.
I put in a floating ramp and a door that when shuts from the
inside can't be pushed open. This drawing has the side off to
see the inside. When whatever walks up the ramp and tilts
the wire pulls out from under the door and the door falls shut.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/39553/Box_trap~1.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1487793731)
Kebitz that is surely a nice trap.But the lines and looks of mine gets me closer to the $300 mark.
Kbeitz,
I have seen that design. I think Hav-a-hart uses a similar trip pedal. I actually prefer the sliding/dropping door as I find it is easier to unload. Most any scared and wild animal is going to be dangerous to remove and with the sliding door you can place a bag over the front of the trap then lift the door and the animal will jump out into the bag. I don't like the thought of having to lift that hinged door with an angry/scared coon, cat or even a squirrel on the other side that close to my hand.
Just stand the box up on it's end and the door falls open.
Okay - that makes sense. I guess just stand it on end, put a bag over the end, lay it down upside down so the door stays open and the catch jumps out into the bag and you hope and pray it is not another skunk. :D