When I first started on the sewing machine thing I'd try to buy machines that interested me and that I thought I could rehab. I did acquire a couple that were pretty darn bad and managed to get them up and running.
Now, I won't pay money for a machine that's really bad. I've learned a lot from them, but I've gotten to the point that I want them in decent shape and as close to functional as they can be.
At this point I haven't run into any that are so bad I'd scrap them. I may have one though. It could be fixed but I don't feel it's worth it. So ..... he he, it's gots lots of pieces I can use though.
Joe