The blotchy finish is likely disturbed shellac which means it can be fixed. Touch it with a dab of alcohol to see if it goes sticky. If you follow Glenn's directions carefully you can make that machine look a whole lot better in a fairly short time. It could have gotten damp and someone tried to wipe it off or it could have been "Cleaned" with alcohol.
My husband uses reclaimed hard wood for the simple bases he makes so they set level.