Alba shapers were made from the 1930s until the 1970s, the smallest model in the range being the 10-inch stroke 1A -  a machine that was to become the well-known and very successful Elliott 10M. Sold to many schools, colleges and both training and production workshops, many thousands of this fine machine are still in use. Four speeds were available with, on the early Mk.1 models, either a motor mounted at the back of the machine with a double-step V pulley driving direct to a two-speed gear train and clutch unit, or power coming from a separate wall or ceiling-mounted countershaft.  A clutch lever lay horizontally along the body of the machine with the two-speed selected by moving in and out a black knob immediately above the motor. Automatic cross feed (with a safety over-run device) was fitted as standard and a vertical feed (also with over-load protection on later models) available as an option. The machine's box table could be swivelled and featured two T slotted and one V-grooved side. Later models had the motor held inside the stand, making them much more suitable and safe for use in training departments and included a support under the front of the box table.
Other models in the Alba range included very much larger ones with ram strokes of 14, 18 and 24 inches - these powerful types being easily recognised by a massive circular housing on the drive side of the main body. Sold by Alba they carried model designations of 2S, 4S and 6S and, when marketed by Elliott, 4S, 18S and 24S (The B. Elliott also badged their larger shapers as the Invicta).
Alba 2S, 4S and 6S - machines easily recognised by the massive circular housing on the drive side of their main bodies. An identical range was sold badged as the  Elliott 14S and 18S and 24S - also with strokes of 14", 18" and 24"
Model 14S:
Ram stroke 14" (356 mm) with 4 rates of feed giving strokes per minute of: 18, 30 57 and 109. The table had a top surface of 14" x 10" (355 x 254 mm) with a longitudinal traverse of 18.25" (463 mm) and 4 rates of cross-feed that ranged, per cut, from 0.0104" to 0.0417" (0.26 to 1.06 mm).
Able to be swivelled through 90° each side of upright, the tool slide had 4.25" (108 mm) of travel and could take cutters up to 11/16" x 11/4" (17.5 mm x 32 mm). Fitted as part of the standard equipment, the swivel-base machine vice had a jaw-open capacity of 7.5" (190 mm). Motor power 2 h.p.
Model 18S:
Ram stroke 18" (458 mm) with 4 rates of feed that gave strokes of: 17, 27, 52 and 98 per minute. The table had a top surface of 16.75" x 12" (416 x 305 mm) with a longitudinal traverse of 20.75" (527 mm) and 4 rates of cross-feed that ranged, per cut, from 0.0104" to 0.0417" (0.26 to 1.06 mm).
Able to be swivelled through 90° each side of upright, the tool slide had 5" (127 mm) of travel and could take cutters up to 11/16" x 11/4" (17.5 mm x 32 mm). Fitted as part of the standard equipment, the swivel-base machine vice had a jaw-open capacity of 10.75" (273 mm). Motor power 3 h.p.
Model 24S:
Ram stroke 24" (610 mm) with 6 rates of feed that gave strokes of:  6, 12, 20, 30, 46 and 73 per minute. The table had a top surface of 23" x 13" (584 x 330 mm) with a longitudinal traverse of 29.75" (756 mm) and 4 rates of cross-feed that ranged, per cut, from 0.0104" to 0.0417" (0.26 to 1.06 mm).
Able to be swivelled through 90° each side of upright, the tool slide had 5" (127 mm) of travel and could take cutters up to 1" x 1.75" (25 mm x 44 mm). Fitted as part of the standard equipment, the swivel-base machine vice had a jaw-open capacity of 13" (330 mm). Motor power 4 h.p..