Bailing Wire Uses & Type Recommendations

[blacatoe]

I’ve seen and heard many overlanders and off-roaders list bailing wire as a must-have in one’s recovery kit. Not being a “country boy” but one that’s into preparedness and self recovery, I’d like to better understand it’s use. It is an alternative to duct tape? Is it for use as a replacement for when a bolt shakes loose and rattles off?

-Mahalo,
Alex

 

[Auggie]

I’ve seen and heard many overlanders and off-roaders list bailing wire as a must-have in one’s recovery kit. Not being a “country boy” but one that’s into preparedness and self recovery, I’d like to better understand it’s use. It is an alternative to duct tape? Is it for use as a replacement for when a bolt shakes loose and rattles off?

-Mahalo,
Alex

The advantage is that you can strap stuff together and heat will not affect the ere. Duct tape is useless on a broken muffler or similar.

 

[Auggie]

I’ve seen and heard many overlanders and off-roaders list bailing wire as a must-have in one’s recovery kit. Not being a “country boy” but one that’s into preparedness and self recovery, I’d like to better understand it’s use. It is an alternative to duct tape? Is it for use as a replacement for when a bolt shakes loose and rattles off?

-Mahalo,
Alex

The advantage is that you can strap stuff together and heat will not affect the ere. Duct tape is useless on a broken muffler or similar.

Wire*

 

[Shakes355]

In the shop or on the road, bailing/mechanic wire is just plain useful to have around. Its really up to how imaginative you have to be in a moment. In a pinch it can lash gear, hold broken latches or hinges, hang exhaust, secure wiring/hard lines and even shifter linkages.

Secure broken/loose body parts like headlamp assemblies and busted fog lights.

You get the idea. You'll probably be surprised how you will end up using it when you have it on hand. Cheers!

 

[blacatoe]

What gauge would you recommend?

 

[Jeremy M.]

With the right tool it can be used to make hose clamps. It can also be used temporarily in place of a Cotter pin, also its useful to hold this out of the way while making repairs.

 

[Mountain Spirit Overland]

Try this video of a simply made tool - it shows how to used bailing wire as really strong clamps. I made the tool after watching the video and it is now in my trail kit.

 

[Shakes355]

What gauge would you recommend?

16ga is readily available at most parts/hardware stores. Its inexpensive enough (and lasts a long time) that having some misc sizes around is advantageous. Pick up a couple and learn from experience. :)

 

[Road]

Try this video of a simply made tool - it shows how to used bailing wire as really strong clamps. I made the tool after watching the video and it is now in my trail kit.

.

THAT is one awesome tool. The wire clamps it helps create are just about as awesome, too, with their regular banding and pressure.

I'd love to see the one you made, too.


Stay safe, stay clean, stay healthy!
.

 

[Mountain Spirit Overland]

.

THAT is one awesome tool. The wire clamps it helps create are just about as awesome, too, with their regular banding and pressure.

I'd love to see the one you made, too.


Stay safe, stay clean, stay healthy!
.

Here's the one I made, but with an 1/4" extension bar with a couple holes in it to tension the wire.

 

[Road]

I’ve seen and heard many overlanders and off-roaders list bailing wire as a must-have in one’s recovery kit. Not being a “country boy” but one that’s into preparedness and self recovery, I’d like to better understand it’s use. It is an alternative to duct tape? Is it for use as a replacement for when a bolt shakes loose and rattles off?

-Mahalo,
Alex

.
Hey Alex -

You can use baling wire for all sorts of things. Imagination is your only limitation, really. Originally known more for binding bales of stuff--hence the name--typically hay or cardboard, it's regularly used for attaching fence to posts (not just farm fences), in garden and greenhouse business, auto biz for reattaching parts temporarily, just all sorts of uses.

I keep a small coil of finer gauge around all the time, both in my vehicle and on the workbench. In fact, in looking for wire I can use for the nose bridge on face masks I'm making for health care workers, I have some on my desk right now. So, I was surprised to see this thread pop up!


..
I've used wire to help keep things organized, too, like kept nuts and washers strung on a length of it in the past, formed into a ring. Keeps it handy and serves a purpose while being stored.

I used a length one time to keep tie rod linkage back together 'til I got back to where I could work on it.

If looking for it online you may have better luck searching for "baler wire." Remember the bigger the number, the smaller the wire gauge. 16 is thinner than 14, for example.



Hardware stores, as mentioned, if they're open around you, usually have wire.
Tractor Supply usually has more, though right now all they're listing online is red Brand Baler Wire 14.5 gauge, though I didn't look real deep.
Amzn has a wide selection of types, sizes, and lengths. The best price there seems to be the 200' roll of 16ga for $6.98.
I keep some of this around all the time, too, for a variety of uses and projects: Green Garden Wire 22ga.
ULine has baling wire, but primarily in much bigger coils.

Hope you find some to keep around and find creative ways to use it!

Mahalo


Stay safe, stay clean, stay healthy!

 

[Road]

Here's the one I made, but with an 1/4" extension bar with a couple holes in it to tension the wire.

.
Very cool, thanks for posting an image! I'm gonna have to make one; I can see it getting used from time to time, especially on tool handles.
.

 

[slomatt]

Bailing wire is a good thing to carry since it is lightweight, strong, and heat resistant. I carry some 16 gauge galvanized bailing wire in my recovery kit.

As mentioned above, you can also use wire to create hose clamps. I do this on airlines using .041" (18 gauge) Safety Lock Wire and a Clamptite tool. I usually avoid carrying specialty tools, but this particular tool lives in my truck since there are many cases where a strong clamp/tie would be useful.

Clamptite Tools

clamptitetools.com