If you are looking for a way to join two pieces of wood using a flexible wire, you are likely referring to a Wire Lashing or a Wire Stitch.
In most cases, the "soft wire" used for this is Annealed Wire (also known as Tie Wire). It is heat-treated to be extremely flexible and easy to twist by hand without snapping.
Here are the three most common ways people use soft wire to connect wood:
1. The "Stitch" Joint
This is common in "stitch and glue" boat building or decorative furniture repair. You drill small holes on both pieces of wood and "sew" them together with the wire.
- The Wire: Usually copper or stainless steel.
- The Goal: To hold two panels together at an angle until glue or epoxy sets.
2. Square or Diagonal Lashing
This is a traditional method used in "bushcraft" or rustic construction to join two poles or branches (like a cross).
- The Wire: Galvanized soft wire or annealed steel.
- The Method: You wrap the wire around both pieces in a specific pattern, then "frap" it (wrap it between the wood pieces) to pull the joint tight.
- Why Wire? Unlike rope, wire doesn't stretch over time, so the connection stays rigid.
3. Safety Wire / "Pigtail" Twist
Used in heavy-duty or industrial settings to keep wooden slats or crates together.
- The Wire: Soft iron or steel.
- The Method: The wire is passed through or around the wood, and the ends are twisted together using pliers to create a "pigtail" that cinches the wood together.
Which wire should you buy?
|
Material |
Best For |
Benefit |
|
Annealed Steel |
General construction |
Very cheap and extremely easy to twist. |
|
Copper Wire |
Decorative / Crafts |
Beautiful color and will never rust. |
|
Galvanized Wire |
Outdoor projects |
Coated in zinc so it won't rust in the rain. |
Are you trying to fix a crack in a piece of wood, or are you trying to build a structure like a fence or a frame? Tell me your project, and I can tell you exactly which gauge (thickness) of wire to get.
