Technical resources
Wire Selection Guides
Practical references for buyers and engineers. Each guide covers one decision — material selection, spec decoding, sizing, or installation technique — with enough detail to confidently specify the right product.
Which Tie Wire Material Do You Need?
Covers all 8 materials — black annealed through Inconel — with specs, best-for environments, and direct links to products. Start here if you're choosing between galvanized, stainless, Monel, or PVC-coated.
Tie Wire Gauge Chart
Gauge-to-diameter reference table for soft annealed tie wire: 9 ga through 22 ga, decimal diameters, weight per 1,000 ft, and typical application notes. Includes guidance on selecting the right gauge for rebar, insulation, and baling.
MS20995 & NASM25173 Spec Reference
Explains the suffix system (C, NC, N, CY, AB), maps each alloy to its service environment, and includes a diameter table. Useful for reading a part number or choosing between stainless, Monel, and Inconel lockwire.
MS20995 Part Number Decoder & Cross-Reference
Visual breakdown of MS20995 part numbers, full alloy suffix and diameter tables, and a cross-reference of all stocked items with direct links to product pages. Answers common questions about C32, NC32, CY20, and more.
How to Safety Wire Fasteners
Step-by-step double-twist and single-wrap technique for safety wiring bolts and castellated nuts. Covers wire direction, twists per inch, pigtail length, and the most common mistakes that compromise safety.
304 vs 316 Stainless Wire — When Does the Upgrade Matter?
Compares 304 and 316 alloys side-by-side across tie wire, lockwire, and aircraft cable. Explains when chloride resistance actually matters and when 304 is the more economical choice.
Wire Mesh Size Chart & Selection Guide
Hex netting, chicken wire, and knitted mesh reference tables: opening sizes, wire gauges, roll widths, and material options. Includes a mesh type comparison and how-to-specify checklist.
What Is Lockwire? Locking Wire & Safety Wire Explained
Beginner-friendly explanation of lockwire (also called locking wire or safety wire): what it does, the materials it comes in, common diameters, and which spec to order. Start here if spec numbers like MS20995 are new to you.
Aircraft Cable Size & Strength Chart
7×7 vs 7×19 construction compared, breaking strength table from 1/16″ to 3/8″, working load guidance, and galvanized vs stainless selection for rigging, controls, and marine use.
Baling Wire Buyer's Guide
Black annealed vs galvanized baling wire, single-loop bale ties, boxed box wire, and a gauge selection table for vertical and horizontal balers in recycling, agriculture, and waste operations.
How to Buy Fasteners for Insulation & Metal Jacketing
The three decisions behind every fastener order — point style, material, and head/washer. Covers self-tapping vs self-drilling screws, 410 vs 304 stainless, hog rings, D-rings, and duplex nails for jacketing and blanket work.