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.

Is a manual tie baler horizontal or vertical?

Manual-tie balers are mostly vertical, though horizontal models also exist. Both versions compact materials and hold them in place while baler operators feed wire and tie the bale. You can use single loop or double loop bale ties to manually secure dense bales.

Learn more about the differences between horizontal manual balers and their applications. Then, choose our high-quality bale ties to enhance your baling operation.

Horizontal vs. vertical manual-tie balers

The main difference between manual vertical and manual-tie horizontal balers is the orientation of their compression chamber. Vertical balers compact materials down, while horizontal balers compact from the side.

Differences between horizontal and vertical balers

Manual-tie horizontal balers	Manual-tie vertical balers
Compression direction	Horizontal, from the side	Downward
Bale size	Larger	Smaller
Space requirements	Requires significant floor space	Space-efficient design
Material suitability	Heavy metals, aluminum, thick plastics, industrial scrap	Cardboard, paper, soft plastics, foam
Cost	Higher upfront and maintenance costs	Affordable, lower operational costs
Common users	Industrial applications, scrap yards	Retailers, offices, small recycling facilities

What’s the difference between a manual and auto-tie baler?

Automatic balers use feeding and automated tying mechanisms to produce bales in continuous operation without human intervention. Sensors detect when a bale reaches its target size. This triggers the auto-tying mechanism to wrap and secure baling wire (often high-tensile wire) around the compressed material. The continuous feeding process results in consistent, tightly bound bales, a decreased risk of human error, and a high throughput.

Manual balers rely on operators to thread and secure bale ties around compressed bales. These systems are cost-effective, simple to maintain, and suitable for smaller facilities or businesses with a low volume of materials. Though slower than automatic counterparts, manual balers affordability and adaptability make them a practical choice for businesses that process lighter materials.

Manual-tie baler applications

Manual-tie balers can process low-volume, single-material streams. Avoid heavy-duty materials, such as scrap metal, or mixed streams, which can damage manual balers and require industrial or auto-tie balers.

Paper and cardboard

Manual-tie balers compact paper and cardboard, which are lightweight, uniform, and generated consistently in small to moderate volumes. These materials compress easily and create neat bales that simplify storage and pickup for recycling services. Applications include:

Offices: office paper, shredded documents, and discarded folders.
Supermarkets: compact shipping boxes, product packaging, and cardboard trays.
Retail stores: excess packaging from inventory or customer purchases.
Schools: paper waste from classrooms, libraries, and administrative offices.

Plastics

Lightweight plastics, such as PET bottles and HDPE containers, are well-suited for manual-tie balers due to their rigidity and manageable density. These plastics retain their shape when compressed and form stable bales that hold together during transport. Applications include:

Grocery stores: recycle beverage bottles, detergent jugs, and food containers.
Hospitality businesses: single-use plastic cups, utensils, and packaging from hotels or restaurants.
Small recycling centers: collected plastics from community drop-off programs.

Non-ferrous materials

Manual balers can handle lightweight non-ferrous metals. These materials are pliable and low-density, so they require minimal force to compress. Applications include:

Manufacturing facilities: aluminum foil scraps, thin metal sheets, or production trimmings.
Food service providers: aluminum foil trays and disposable baking pans.
Packaging companies: foam insulation, protective packaging, or polyethylene foam scraps.

About manual bale ties

Manual balers accept bale ties. They come in single loop and double loop configurations to suit different operational preferences and needs.

Single loop bale ties

Single-loop bale ties feature a pre-formed loop at one end of the wire, which is threaded through the compressed bale before the free end is twisted or clamped using pliers or a manual twister. The simplicity of this design allows for quick application and adapts to fluctuating bale sizes.

Double loop bale ties

Double-loop bale ties incorporate two pre-formed loops, one at each end of the wire. This dual-loop design allows operators to hook the loops together for a quick, strong tie. Double loop bale ties are faster to tie than single loop bale ties, but their size can’t be adjusted so they need to accurately fit your bale size.

Our Selection of Bale Ties for Manual Tie Balers

Baling Wire Direct is a leading bale tie manufacturer. Our American-made bale ties come with metallurgical traceability documents as proof of quality and performance. Choose from the following manual baler wire products.

Galvanized bale ties

Our galvanized bale ties combine superior corrosion resistance with unmatched security. Coated in a durable zinc layer, these ties withstand harsh environments, including moisture-prone recycling facilities or outdoor storage.

We sell the following galvanized bale ties:

Black annealed bale ties

Black annealed bale ties offer flexibility and ease of use, thanks to a heat-treatment process that enhances ductility. Their soft, pliable nature also allows for easy manual twisting.

We sell the following black annealed bale ties:

Bright bale ties

For cost-effective versatility, our bright bale ties provide robust binding without coatings. The uncoated steel finish provides a smooth surface and is great for indoor operations or dry environments where corrosion resistance is less critical.

We sell the following bright bale ties:

Bale ties are just one type of wire product we offer. We also supply box wire and carrier wire for high waste-volume baling.

Baling wire products we offer

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

Baling Wire FAQ

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Is a manual tie baler horizontal or vertical?

Horizontal vs. vertical manual-tie balers

Differences between horizontal and vertical balers

What’s the difference between a manual and auto-tie baler?

Manual-tie baler applications

Paper and cardboard

Plastics

Non-ferrous materials

About manual bale ties

Single loop bale ties

Double loop bale ties

Our Selection of Bale Ties for Manual Tie Balers

Galvanized bale ties

Black annealed bale ties

Bright bale ties

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How does the baling process aid in the recycling industry?

What types of recyclable materials can be baled in two-ram auto-tie balers?

What wire gauge sizes does Baling Wire Direct offer?

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