When it comes to choosing what type of baling wire you want to use for your product, there are a variety of important elements you want to consider. One of the most important ones is the gauge of the wire. If you’re unfamiliar with what a gauge is though, and what each number means, this becomes a challenge.
In this article, the experts at Vulcan Wire tell you what you need to know so you can choose the correct gauge for your unique situation.
If you are looking to shop baling wire, do so here, or find a wide range of essential types of baling wire and our breakdown of those here.
What is the Gauge System?
Simply put, the gauge system represents the thickness of a wire type. A common initial point of confusion about this system is how the thickness of the wire actually increases the lower the number gets.
A number one gauge is thicker and studier, and so you may think this is the better choice especially as many industries may require their wire to be stronger and thicker to properly handle the demand put on them. But others find once the gauge starts to lower, the wire becomes thicker and stiffer. As such, it’s important to make a proper decision on what wire is best for a particular company’s needs.
How to Decide Which Gauge is Right
There are several elements you want to consider:
The Bailing Machine
The most important part of the whole process is the bailer itself. If the machine can’t handle the wire you choose, you will run into problems. Vertical balers, for example, work best with thinner wire, typically in the range of 14-12 gauge. Horizontal balers, on the other hand, are usually meant for more taxing work and can handle larger wires in the 11 or 10 range and below.
Price
If you’re in the business of actually making money, then margins are important. Factor in the price when determining the thickness of the wire. If all you need is a thin wire, then purchasing a thicker wire won’t do you any good from a financial perspective. The thicker the wire becomes, the pricier it is.
For more on how to choose the right baling wire gauge see our blog on that here.
What You’re Planning on Bailing
The material you’re bailing matters. Some things like magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, and smaller books really don’t need much to keep them bound. You can easily get away with using fairly thin wire without much issue. Other materials like plastics, foam, and cardboard will require stronger wire, which brings us to our next section.
When to Use 11 Gauge Baling Wire
Materials like plastics, foam, and cardboard are ideal for 11 gauge in most situations. It strikes a good balance between strength and relative thinness. It’s a popular option for good reason.
Conclusion
It goes without saying that your first choice may not be perfect. Even following all of these tips, you may still find upon testing that a different thickness suits your needs better. That is, unless you consult with the experts first. Vulcan Wire is here to help we are professionals at finding exactly what you need for your business, the first time. Reach out and see all that we can do for you!
