I have just acquired an ALBA 1A and am in the process of cleaning it up etc. I have a problem though. Yesterday, for the first time I wound the table sideways toward me (that's to the right if you were facing the front of the machine) until it reached its limit then tried to wind it back. It would not move. I can wind the handle either way but it has no effect, the table remains where it is - stuck.
The only thing I can think of is that the cross slide nut threads have stripped or its location button has sheared of though I am puzzled as I never used any undue force.
To clarify, when I refer to "cross slide nut" I do not mean the securing nut/locknuts at the end of the cross traverse feed screw. We are talking here about the concealed nut which rides along the screw transferring its sideways motion to the cross slide/table.
Because the machine had been standing idle for many years and despite my attempts at cleaning and lubing, the table was quite tight - but movable - on the cross slide. I have tried pushing it while winding to get it back on the thread but it is far to tight for that. (I tried this thinking that the end of the shaft might be relieved as a safety feature).
I have loosened the bottom cross slide jib and one of the screws on the top jib (the other two are masked by the main casting) and tried to give it another push but it won't budge. I have even tried putting a vertical bar in the central T slot nut and using a loop of rope and three foot length of timber coming of the main casting attempted to lever the cross slide and nut back onto the thread while wife wound the handle but to no avail.
Has anyone got any brilliant ideas how I get out of this one?
Rik