Baling Needles and how to Split Bales

To make Bales certain sizes, to fit around openings and in the bale courses, it is vitally important to retain the tension and tightness in the twine, holding the straw together.

Baling needles are not available to purchase in the UK, and very hard to find in the USA, the only way is to make your own.
Here I have found some existing designs, two which are used in the construction industry currently, and the third, a custom made Needle used in the baling workshop I attended under Mark Saich.

The needles take two new pieces of twine through the bale, at the level of the original string. 

These are my notes and easy to read and follow guide on how to split straw bales.

Rippledown Pictures

More Photos courtesy of  Mark Saich of our Bale Building Course at Rippledown Environmental Education Centre

Lisa cutting stub stakes to length for the top ladder 

Jonathan and Daphne and I making a simple window profile

Driving in the stakes is hard work!

Lisa and I splitting bales for the window frame.

Daphne and Darren Splitting Bales

 Jonathan sharpening stakes.

Darren and I checking the end profile for plumb

Third course up and ready for first stakes

Daphne and I driving the first stakes in

Almost there!

Trimming the walls with a hedge cutter

All Done!