Since I was an electrician before my railroad career I am more into copper wire. I always have a supply of massive insulated 6mm² (between 9 and 10 american wire gauge) at hand for any quick fix needed.
I once shocked computer store clerks by entering the shop with 3' of 3/4" round hard wood (straight not like a baseball bat, but coming to think about it that would be also a funny idea over here) and a supply of wire in my backpack. They were short of panic until they realized how much easier I could carry a computer by simply put it into a wire loop fixed to the wood instead of carrying a bulky box. Made a really great carrying handle.
Today, of course, I would show up with a 54' 3100 which is for me by far the greatest way to carry anything.
Zip ties in my opinion are only for short term fixes. In the long run they will get brittle, especially if they are exposed to higher temperatures like a car in the sun. Nevertheless I always have a hand full of 1' long zip ties in my toolbox.
I like the idea of another thread at the toolbox or greasy spoon on the subject of unconventional repairs. I would never have thought of plugging brittle heater hoses with spare spark plugs until I saw just that on a youtube video the other day...
