Miniature Steam Engine Graham Industries VR1A Double Acting on live steam

[JimDobson]

Miniature Steam Engine Graham Industries VR1A Double Acting on live steam from an orphan Jensen boiler and running a Baker Fan. I made a wooden plinth and routed it and put on a brass top and turned some brass bolts out of some hex rod. Also made and routed the wooden plinth for the engine and modified the fur pins holding it down with turned brass extensions. The reversing lever was also missing off this engine when I received off eBay so I turned that up which I think came up pretty good. The silicone hose is working out really well for using with assorted boilers and engines instead of copper tube which is always better with a permanent steam plant setup. The condensate collector I made from a cut down aluminium MAPP gas container planked with stained paddle pop sticks and brass bands.

 

[GailInNM]

Jim,
Glad you are enjoying the VR1A.
I designed the VR1A a little over 40 years ago and produced it for sale for about 20 years. I turned the manufacture and sales of it and other kits over to my son in 2000. He produced and sold the line of kits until 2022 when he ceased production and sales as he moved on to other business interests.
Gail in NM

 

[JimDobson]

Jim,
Glad you are enjoying the VR1A.
I designed the VR1A a little over 40 years ago and produced it for sale for about 20 years. I turned the manufacture and sales of it and other kits over to my son in 2000. He produced and sold the line of kits until 2022 when he ceased production and sales as he moved on to other business interests.
Gail in NM

G'day Gail,
Its really terrific to make your acquaintance.
On the many steam forums that I am, on it's often bemoaned the loss of your great engines no longer being available new (and when they turn up on eBay they are quickly snapped up).
If I may trouble you, it would be most appreciated.
I also have a HM1 bought second hand, its defeated all my efforts so far to run.
It came with the bag of extras/spares stapled to the instruction manual. I don't know if the previous owner ever had it running.
What would be your advice as to where to look for what could be the problem?
I've had the wonderfully little diminutive engine for around 2 years and get it out now and again to fiddle with to try and get it running, but as mentioned above alas so far with no joy.

Once again, terrific to make your acquaintance and thank you for the history of your design and your and your son's company.

 

[Steamchick]

Hi Jim,
I enjoyed your video of the VR1A. But I did think about the way it ran well one way, but less well when you reversed it, driving the fan load (I liked that idea!). I suggest the eccentric timing is properly set-up the way the engine works well, but less so on the reversing eccentric. Possibly it has slipped since you first set it up? - Worth resetting, then it will be happy both forwards and in reverse.
I would also suggest that at the beginning, when the engine didn't turn over until you reversed it and back, that you had an hydraulic lock from condensate in the cold engine. You didn't force the engine (which could easily damage something) so well done for using the reverser to clear the condensate and then the engine started OK. I didn't immediately think of that one, but a good idea! I ALWAYS pre-heat my engines by careful turning-over by hand ("Barring the engine" is the historic technical term) with the smallest amount of steam applied so the condensate clears before it can collect enough for an hydraulic lock. I have seen many videos where the hydraulic lock has "baffled" the untrained operator upon cold starting. - And seen some brutes forcing the engine over TDC when it is obviously full of condensate, and they risk damaging the engine by that practice. - So you taught me something by using your reverser!
Thanks and Cheers,
K2

 

[JimDobson]

Hi Jim,
I enjoyed your video of the VR1A. But I did think about the way it ran well one way, but less well when you reversed it, driving the fan load (I liked that idea!). I suggest the eccentric timing is properly set-up the way the engine works well, but less so on the reversing eccentric. Possibly it has slipped since you first set it up? - Worth resetting, then it will be happy both forwards and in reverse.
I would also suggest that at the beginning, when the engine didn't turn over until you reversed it and back, that you had an hydraulic lock from condensate in the cold engine. You didn't force the engine (which could easily damage something) so well done for using the reverser to clear the condensate and then the engine started OK. I didn't immediately think of that one, but a good idea! I ALWAYS pre-heat my engines by careful turning-over by hand ("Barring the engine" is the historic technical term) with the smallest amount of steam applied so the condensate clears before it can collect enough for an hydraulic lock. I have seen many videos where the hydraulic lock has "baffled" the untrained operator upon cold starting. - And seen some brutes forcing the engine over TDC when it is obviously full of condensate, and they risk damaging the engine by that practice. - So you taught me something by using your reverser!
Thanks and Cheers,
K2

Some handy ideas to remember K2 above, I've seen the same when people try to turn over an engine that obviously is locked.
I've made a few of the Baker Fan's now (good history about them) and they still work very well for our model engines to put a load on, the same as they were invented to do to full size engines.
Thanks for the handy post, appreciated.