Abstract: A method for producing baling wires having enlarged tips for tying bundled items such as reinforcing rods and bags in which enlargements are formed by melting the tips of the wire segments wherein a strip of continuous wire is advanced through a first melting zone in a substantially vertical position, the wire is then heated to its melting point to sever a segment of the wire therefrom causing an enlargement to be formed at the leading tip of the subsequent wire segment, successively heating, melting and severing individual wire segments and causing the formation of the enlargements at the leading edge of the next subsequent wire segment as the strip of wire advances through the first melting zone, successively rotating each individual wire segment at least substantially 180.degree.