What is the Correct Spelling Baling Wire or Bailing Wire?

The correct spelling is baling wire, although if you search for bailing wire online, you'll get near enough the same results. This is because the two spellings have become somewhat (incorrectly) interchangeable, and many companies still refer to it as bailing wire. Baling and bailing are known as homophones, two words that have separate meanings, yet they sound exactly the same. Bear in mind, however, that currently, Google will suggest the correction of baling wire if you search instead for bailing wire. There is also no difference in the product that the words are describing, so one type of wire will not differ in function from another simply because of the name. The term bailing usually refers to either the releasing of a prisoner on bail, bailing out a bank or an institution (providing it with money to keep it afloat), or to leaving an area (informally). Baling, on the other hand, often refers to the bundling of goods, the primary function of what baling wire is used for. As a noun, a bale describes a tightly packed bundle of materials like hay, cardboard, or scrap metal. To find out more, you can check out this blog post on bailing wire vs baling wire.

Do You Have a Wire Gauge Chart to Choose the Correct Size?

Gauge refers to the thickness of a wire. Gauges operate on an inverse scale, which means the smaller the gauge number, the larger the circumference of the wire. Typically, baling wire starts at around 9 gauge, and can go all the way up to the incredibly thin 35-gauge variety. Choosing the right type of baling wire can be tough if you don’t know what to look for, yet it’s essential if you want to ensure maximum quality and functionality. You can find a reliable wire gauge chart by clicking here. You can find a wide range of different gauge baling wire online, but if you’re not sure which one will work best, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer of your baling machine; they should be able to give you advice on which size go for. For paper, it’s worth going for a lighter gauge, like a 14, but for tougher materials like plastics, you’ll probably need to go as low as 12. It’s worth noting that the properties of the wire can differ based on whether they’re galvanized or annealed, even if they’re the same gauge. Remember that it’s crucial to check your baler’s specifications before you start using the wire, as it may have limitations as to what gauge you can use.

Which Wire is Best for Cardboard Baling?

Generally, you'll want to use either an 11, 12, or 13 gauge wire for baling cardboard. The 11 gauge wire is the thickest and, therefore, more suited to packing denser bales. It is important to consider your baler, however, as this will likely determine the type of wire that you'll need. This can differ between make and model, and there will likely be a users manual that will have the right info. If not, you could always call up the manufacturer and ask them directly. You wouldn't want to risk damaging your baler by using the wrong materials with it. For example, a smaller vertical baler that generates smaller bales may need a smaller gauge, like a 14. In contrast, a horizontal baler that operates at a larger scale may require an 11, even though you're baling the same material. Cardboard baling wire is usually very tough, no matter the gauge, so the main point to concern yourself with is whether or not your chosen type of wire is compatible with the machine you're using. It's worth noting that this can vary extensively, so make sure you find the right wire for your specific machine and the type of material you hope to bale.

What is baling wire used for?

Baling wire is used to secure waste and scrap materials into neatly manageable bundles, making them easier to transport. It's perfect for aiding waste management in the recycling industry, and cutting down on wastage in general, no matter the area of work that you're in. Baling wire can come in many different forms, for example, galvanized baling wire is exceptionally strong and durable, and it's able to withstand the harsh conditions of the recycling process with ease. Galvanized baling wire is strong enough to survive being submerged into a molten liquid for some time, making it suitable for the galvanization of other types of metal. Black annealed baling wire is developed using the annealing process, a cycle of carefully measured heating and cooling, which is what gives it the increased level of ductility and elongation. Baling wire can be threaded through a baling machine to secure the scrap or waste material, or it can be tied by hand, as it's incredibly ductile, making it an extremely versatile material and an essential one in the recycling and agriculture industries. Baling wire has long been regarded as a fix-all type of material, so it's always handy to have some around the workspace.

Why is it called baling wire?

It's called baling wire because it refers to the job it's used for, securing bales of scrap material like hay and cardboard. The word bale might have its roots in the old Germanic language, relating to ball. Bales are the bundles of material compressed in a baling machine, and the wire is what binds this material together, holding it in place for easier maneuverability. Baling wire has been used extensively since the 1800s (this is likely when the term began gaining widespread popularity), but it's come a long way since then in both form and function. From humble origins, baling wire has become a critical material in the recycling and agricultural industries, largely due to the phenomenal rise of modern machinery like advanced baling machines and tractors.The words baling wire are often interchanged (incorrectly) with bailing wire, yet searching for either term on Google will likely still send you to the right place. By galvanizing either stainless steel or iron wire, manufacturers can make baling wire tougher than ever before. This process involves submerging the wire in a molten metal coating (usually zinc) in order to make it more durable and corrosion resistant. Baling wire can also be developed using the annealing process, which is when the wire is exposed to a cycle of heating and cooling over time.

What kind of wire is baling wire?

Baling wire is ultra-strong, highly durable, galvanized steel or iron wire. The galvanization process refers to the act of hot dipping (submerging) stainless steel or iron wire in a bath of molten zinc.The resulting metallurgical reaction causes the zinc to bond with the steel, creating a protective coating, enabling it to withstand erosion with ease. This process enables the baling wire to become exceptionally resilient and able to resist even the harshest weather and wear and tear for extensive periods of time. You can also find baling wire in the form of black annealed wire, an incredibly sturdy and versatile material that's created using a meticulous cycle of heating and cooling, causing it to increase in ductility for maximum ease of use. You can find out more about the properties of this wire here. Due to its many unique properties, including its ability to stand up to harsh conditions, baling wire is essential in the recycling and agricultural industries, and it's generally found in any type of baling application, include office recycling. Its main purpose is to secure bales (compact bundles of waste and scrap material) and hold them in place, making them easier to store, handle and transport, greatly aiding the waste management process.

How thick is 13 gauge wire?

Our 13 gauge baling wire products are 0.088–0.090 inches (2.24–2.29 mm)in diameter.

Wire gauge is a measurement that originates from the wire manufacturing process, which involves drawing wires through a series of progressively smaller holes to achieve desired thickness. The drawing process uses a draw plate, which is a tool with conical or cylindrical holes that decrease in size.

A wire’s gauge is inversely correlated to its thickness, counterintuitive as that seems. The larger the diameter, the smaller the gauge, and vice versa.

For example, when we compare 13 gauge to 14 gauge wire, we see that 13 gauge wire is slightly thicker than 14 gauge wire, as it has undergone 13 drawing cycles instead of 14.

The American Wire Gauge chart is one of the primary tools used to measure and identify wire thickness. Developed in the United States, it is widely used throughout North America.

SWG (Standard Wire Gauge), also known as Imperial Wire Gauge, is most commonly used in the United Kingdom. Check out our baling wire gauge guide for a deeper look at wire gauge.

Why is wire gauge important?

For baling wire, gauge is important because it indicates a wire’s thickness and relative strength, which in turn helps determine what applications the wire is best suited for. Wire gauge also factors into safety, cost, and baler compatibility considerations.

13 gauge wire is commonly used to bale recyclables, such as office paper, cardboard, and aluminum cans.

You should always purchase high-quality baling wire, and make sure you select the right gauge. The wrong baling wire gauge can leave you with wire that won’t meet your needs.

Baling wire thickness comparison

The following table compares the thickness of our 13 gauge wire with the other wire gauge sizes we offer.

Comparison	13 gauge thickness	Comparison gauge thickness	Thickness difference
13 gauge vs. 9 gauge	0.088–0.090 inches	0.148 inches (9 gauge)	0.058–0.060 inches
13 gauge vs. 10 gauge	0.088–0.090 inches	0.135 inches (10 gauge)	0.045–0.047 inches
13 gauge vs. 11 gauge	0.088–0.090 inches	0.117–0.121 inches (11 gauge)	0.027–0.033 inches
13 gauge vs. 12 gauge	0.088–0.090 inches	0.102–0.106 inches (12 gauge)	0.012–0.018 inches
13 gauge vs. 14 gauge	0.088–0.090 inches	0.077–0.079 inches (14 gauge)	0.009–0.013 inches

Our 13 gauge baling wire products

13 gauge wire is strong enough for most baling applications, but it is best suited for baling lightweight recyclables and other materials. We offer the following 13 gauge wire products.

13 gauge galvanized wire

Our 13 gauge galvanized wire is used for baling recyclables and also in vineyards and orchards as trellising and tree support. Our hot-dip galvanizing process applies a zinc coating to our galvanized wire products, offering substantial protection from rust and corrosion.

Although galvanized wire will eventually rust, it holds up against rust and other forms of corrosion much better than non-galvanized wire products. We offer Class 3 galvanization as an upgrade; it provides a significantly thicker zinc coating than the basic Class 1 galvanization, making it the better choice for outdoor applications.

We sell 13 gauge galvanized wire by the stem. Each stem is approximately 1,330 lbs and 44,807 feet long.

13 gauge galvanized single loop bale ties

13 gauge galvanized single loop bales ties are used to securely tie bales of recyclables and other materials. They offer sufficient load and tensile strength for securing lightweight bales of non-expansive materials. The galvanized finish provides extra corrosion resistance, making them especially suited for outdoor storage and harsh environments.

We sell galvanized single loop bale ties in bundles of 125 and 250 at lengths of 11–21 feet.

13 gauge black annealed single loop bale ties

13 gauge black annealed single loop bale ties are similar to our galvanized single loop bale ties, but they have been annealed for increased ductility. While annealed wire will rust, its oily finish provides increased corrosion resistance compared to regular baling wire.

We sell annealed single loop bale ties in bundles of 125 and 250 at lengths of 11–21 feet.

Baling wire products we offer

Baling Wire Direct sells the following high-quality baling wire products.

Baling Wire FAQ

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How thick is 13 gauge wire?

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Baling wire thickness comparison

Our 13 gauge baling wire products

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13 gauge galvanized single loop bale ties

13 gauge black annealed single loop bale ties

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Baling Wire FAQ

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