Carl Veldhuizen, Plymouth, Minn., makes small bales using a mini stationary baler that's powered by a model "hit and miss" gas engine that he put together from a kit. The baler is scaled after a 1930 wire hand-tie, stationary model.

The 1/4 hp, double flywheel engine runs on Coleman lantern fuel and is used to belt-drive the baler's plunger. It mounts on a small wooden box.

The baler makes bales that measure 4 in. long by 2 1/2 in. wide and are tied with two 22-ga. wires.

"The engine came from a kit but it still took a lot of work to get everything to fit and timed right," says Veldhuizen. "The engine's original aluminum piston didn't develop enough compression so I replaced it with a cast iron piston. I got the baler from a man in Minnesota who no longer sells the baler. I made a small wagon and a bigger horse-drawn hay rack."

"I bought the engine kit in 1980. The same kit would probably sell for a lot more than what I paid for it, today. I made my own flywheels. The engine has a coil ignition and points, just like on a car. The coil is located under the box and is wired to a 6-volt battery, which is used for the spark just like on a car."

With a real stationary baler, loose hay was pitched off a wagon and into the baler. One person stood on each side of the bale chamber. One pushed the wire through, and the other pushed it back again to tie it.

"Years ago I used shredded money to make the bales, which resulted in bales with a nice dark green color. However, you can't get shredded money from the government any more," says Veldhuizen.