Mouse trap 2-gallon bucket

Ok this project has been a nightmare.  I just wanted a mouse trap built into a bucket lid for a 2-gallon Lowes or home depot bucket.  I based the design off other walk the plank mouse traps and modeled it all from the ground up with my own tweaks.  I added extra thickness to the back of the plank to make it tip later and reset better, I added a ladder holder built in, designed a print in place hinged ladder to go with it, and added a bait holder.

Then when it was all done it was 1% too small even though the test prints worked!! And the ladder kept fusing together.  

So here are my print recommendations:

Trap: print in PETG so it doesn't warp.  No supports or brim.  print at 101% scale

Trap floor: print in PETG. Print at 101% scale. no support

Ladder: print in ABS (PETG kept fusing the hinge together for me).  100% scale. no support

OR

Print the whole thing in pla if you aren't putting it outside.

I can post the fusion file if anyone wants them.  

***Edit: 06/02/2026 Added a V2 with a 36% bigger trap door.  The door is thicker for better reset and more sudden drop.  The pivot is moved forward for the same reason.  Still fits on a 2 gallon bucket and the v2 files don't need to be printed at 101%

***Edit 6/5/2026: I added a 3D‑printable bucket in case you can’t get your hands on a real one. Fair warning: I don’t recommend printing it unless you absolutely have to. It devours half a spool of filament and takes like hours to print. Meanwhile, a 2‑gallon bucket at Home Depot costs like three bucks.
Still, not everyone lives near a hardware store, or in a place where “gallon” means anything.  Later today I may post a 5 gallon version if the test prints come out.  Still not sure if it will be a remix or print profile.  Feels like it should be  a remix. 

5 Gallon Version available now

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2899265-5-gallon-bucket-trap-for-mice-and-rats?profiled=3252452#profileId-3240689

Design by nottingham82 on MakerWorld (license: BY-SA).