Abstract: Apparatus for forming a twisted wire tie, includes a wire guide member moveable between an open position for receiving a workpiece, such as crossed reinforcing bars, and a closed position for guiding a length of wire around the bars. An abutment is engageable with the workpiece to hold the workpiece clamped between the guide member and the abutment and adjacent to a wire twist member engageable with opposite ends of a length of wire to form the twisted loop type closure or tie. Feed mechanism comprising opposed rotary feedwheels or a linear actuator and spaced apart wire clamps operate in conjunction with closure of the guide member to a wire receiving position to feed wire to the guide member. A wire holder and drag force exerting plate is supported adjacent to the twist member for engagement with the wire ends to impart drag forces on the wire as it is twisted to form the closure.