Rob Caven and MB 550s MFG issues??

[lynx/cat-trapper]

Hello,


I feel like I need to clear the air.

Several years ago I heard that someone had the plans of copying my MB-550 trap.

This hit me quite hard as I am very emotionally attached to the design. At the time I decided to start the plans to come out with a 550 by Bridger in addition to the MB-550 in order to stay competitive as we can't build traps here for what it costs overseas.

As time went on my emotions changed and I did not like the thought having a 550 model other the ones we produced by our team as they are the best folks in the world to be with everyday. I did have some produced and delivered to me and I have lost much sleep on what to do with them.

As time went on and the casting foundries could not keep up we took the jaws in these traps out to complete traps we build here from scratch.The process of investment casting parts is time consuming and very in depth.

Two weeks ago one of the foundries we had worked with in Minneapolis notified us they are closing shop after over 100 years in business. I met with them last Thursday to try and come up with a plan to turn it from a sand casting foundry to an investment casting foundry. It will take a lot of new innovation, a new coil on the 2 furnaces, and more equipment, but I am up for the challenge to get it back up and going and to produce parts I have 100% control of.

As for the traps we had produced by the Bridger folks. I am not sure what to do with them as I do not want to sell them. When the furnace in the foundry is ready I will likely take the steel and make castings for my anchor business.

I take complete responsibility for what I decided and regret some decisions I made based on emotions, but also feel proud enough to have the strength and energy to look forward and pursue challenging manufacturing processes instead of sourcing from somewhere else. I own the MB-550 not my parents Tim and Nancy or Minnesota Trapline Products. My parents didn't know that I ordered the Bridger 550's until they arrived in Minnesota. I do not want my decisions to tarnish their 41 year reputation in any way.

If I disappointed anyone, I really am truly sorry. Our mission is to make the best products possible with a team that sticks together and leans on each other when needed to get projects done.
For the 550 traps we have been making-

The Frames, Levers, and Pans are stamped locally at LFS Tool and Die 8 miles from my shop

The springs are coiled in eastern MN.

The triggers are formed in northern MN or PA

The spring pins are are cut in northern MN and formed locally.

The bolts are procured from Fastenal from a Canadian MFG

The chain is from Minnesota, Missouri, or Taiwan depending on production.

I have receipts and packing slips for all the frames, levers, pans, springs, triggers, and spring pins that are sourced in the USA and will share that information as needed

All MB-550's are assembled here, each one set by hand and tuned.

Knowing how much time, energy, and parts that go into a trap I would classify this as Made in USA, but perhaps until I can procure the jaws by making them myself they should be classified made in the USA with US and Foreign Parts.

I hope this clears up some concerns. I truly apologize if I have disappointed anyone. It has been very emotional and I never intended to hurt anyone.



Thank you,

Rob Caven

[lynx/cat-trapper]

OR is there MORE to it.....there have been rumors.

[cattrax]

I think there is WAY more to it!!!!

[furhvstr]

There has been rumors of imported parts and entire traps for years.
One major supplier knows of more than a rumor.

Been talking with a dude use to work there and he is convinced.

Now - I wouldn't know a Caven if one punched me in the mouth. Have never done business with them and have absolutely nothing against them.

What I do have a problem with is miss-representing "Made In USA" and on top of that taking advantage of trappers. Additionally if the rumors and evidence are true then they could be sued by a lot of folks.

Now if it's all a big miss understanding then no harm no foul.

So far as Rob Caven's post on Tman and reposted here it is obvious there are holes in the story. He b=never comes out and says plainly that "I deceived my customers by selling Taiwanese parts/traps.

ML

[Deleted]

I guess I will keep buying jakes.

[bristleback]

So, this is what I posted on 2 other sites:
Trap on the right in an IMPORTED MB550.
*This trap gets the bolts replaced as they're often corroded from Taiwan.
*The imported trap comes in without a chain, so a USA made Crunchproof is added, a piece of TAIWAN CHAIN and another Crunchproof.
*The imported dog is replaced with a stainless dog.
Then the trap goes into a MB BRAND, MADE IN AMERICA box and sold to dealers and customers.
NOTE: those boxes the imported traps come in...…..those get BURNED......disappear. I've been told a couple times now one of these made in Taiwan boxes escaped the burn pile and a picture was posted approximately 4-ish years ago.
I asked a member of ownership about this and the reply was brief in reference to competition......and was never mentioned again. My position was eliminated about 5 weeks later.
There are pallets and pallets of these traps and we received another large shipment a few days before my position was eliminated.
I'm a proud patriotic American and I believe in the truth. Dwaine
I apologize about the sideways pictures, I've not posted pictures in many years...….they look correct from my end.

Pictures coming:
Since my post there was a reply to my thread: See above: NOTE
*NOW there is an ADMITION to using TAIWAN JAWS in the advertised MADE IN THE USA TRAPS.
*Also admitting to using TAIWAN CHAIN on traps advertised as MADE IN THE USA TRAPS...…...well that's a start!

Questions still exist:
Where are all the traps that have been imported???
Why bring MORE traps....?? Another shipment landed from TAIWAN a few days before my position was eliminated!!
Why BURN all those MADE IN TAIWAN boxes, when they could be used to ship 100's of orders a day. We recycled virtually every box possible.....hummmm

photos.app.goo.gl/1hEhDd5CBNV1KCjr8
photos.app.goo.gl/PeapQSR1zchdCS1h6

[bristleback]

[RobertW]

Aug 26, 2019 17:21:43 GMT -7 @bacatrapper said:

I guess I will keep buying jakes.

For your little coyotes?

[bristleback]

Notice how the webpage says MADE IN THE USA and it goes on to say it's used on the MB traps.
Also, note in the MTP catalog the MB straight link chain is called SELECT and the "other" straight link chain is FOREIGN...……..as though the MB chain is NOT FOREIGN!!??
This is simply NOT TRUE!!! Here are pallets and pallets of MB chain...…...sold as MADE IN THE USA!
Here is your SELECT chain!
DOUBLE click the pics to enlarge them.

[furhvstr]

So your original post about this on Tman was axed within minutes and you were permanently banned after being a member from the start.

And then Rob Cavens explanation was allowed but "locked".

Sounds like someone covering up and protecting an advertiser?

ML

[cattrax]

It's so typical with Dobbins, he does that to anything or anyone that he doesn't want drug into the real light, and trust me, I found out who the protected ones are on there.

[RobertW]

Cavens pays Dobbins endorsing that forum, follow the money! Dobbins is for sale (in my opinion), be interesting if it was made public exactly what everything involved all adds up to.

[wahbush]

Is it a good trap or junk?

I get the low down sneaky false advertising,just wondering about the trap.

Is he charging more than a comparable foreign made trap,by claiming its superior because supposedly made in USA?

[taxidermybynature]

I stopped by a few weeks ago and witnessed the trap building and barrels full of 550s. I can't say I looked that close to honestly say they were rebuilding traps nor any suspicious packaging. I met Tim, chatted for 20 minutes and then hit the road.

[Deleted]

Aug 26, 2019 17:33:29 GMT -7 RobertW said:

Aug 26, 2019 17:21:43 GMT -7 @bacatrapper said:

I guess I will keep buying jakes.

For your little coyotes?

yes, thats right........