Congrats on the Featherweights! The scratches are bummer and it sure looks like they were done on purpose. Maybe it was a kid? At least they are mostly just on the extended bed so if you try to do something to fit it, you probably don't have a whole machine re-do on your hands. With the Chugger I would worry much less about the foot controller for now and more about getting it moving well. Take the belt off and move the wheel by hand to see if you have it moving freely. If it's cleaned and oiled well enough then I would suspect the motor next. Double check the wiring and the motor. Mine had thread wound around the spindle coming off the motor and I never would have found it had I not taken the time to look.