10EE half nut repair

Got my new to me early square dial machine running a couple days ago. YEA.

The headstock levers to engage threading were all froze up. Couple days of playing around finally got it to engage threading and go back to feed. Several cycles later, its not too bad to go from threading to feed. Bet this feature has not been used in decades.

Anyway, the half nut absolutely will not engage. looking along the feed screw, one can see the levers trying to push the half nuts together but they won't come close to engaging. i am sure the threads are totally plugged with decades old chips and dirt.

Anyway, can somebody give guidance on how to remove half nuts? Hope the apron doe not have to come off. here's a pic of the assembly.

If you can engage the feed lever and have it work then you do not have the button in neutral there is an interlock that will prevent the half nuts from closing it that button is not in neutral.

OK, bet that is the problem. No mention of this in my manual. Could you explain the button location please?



WRONG IT IS IN THE MANUAL DOH.

Thanks for pointing this out. I was all ready to tear it down.

Item M in your picture and when all else fails read the manual again.LOL